Part 630 Hydrology

National Engineering Handbook

Chapter 2 Watershed Project

Evaluation Procedures

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(210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012)

Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation Part 630
Procedures National Engineering Handbook

Issued April 2012

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(210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012)

Acknowledgments

Chapter 2, Procedures, was originally prepared by Victor Mockus (retired)

in 1964. It was reprinted with minor revisions in 1972. Chapter 2 was up-
dated in 1999 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under
the guidance of Donald E. Woodward (retired). Karl Visser, hydraulic
engineer, NRCS, Fort Worth, Texas, provided suggested revisions for this
version of Chapter 2, Watershed Project Evaluation Procedures, under the
guidance of Claudia C. Hoeft, national hydraulic engineer, Washington,
DC.

(210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012) 2–i

Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation Part 630
Procedures National Engineering Handbook

2–ii (210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012)

Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation
Procedures

Contents 630.0200 Introduction 2–1

630.0201 Work outline plan and schedule relationship 2–2

(a) Data collection.....................................................................................................2–2
(b) Computations.......................................................................................................2–2
(c) Analyses................................................................................................................2–3

630.0202 Hydrologic evaluation process 2–4

(a) Work sequence.....................................................................................................2–4
(b) Analysis methods................................................................................................2–5

630.0203 Design hydrology 2–8

Figures Figure 2–1 General process hydrology of watershed project 2–4

evaluation with streamflow and rainfall data available

Figure 2–2 General process hydrology of watershed project 2–5

evaluation with streamflow or rainfall data not available

Figure 2–3 Design hydrology for storage and spillways in floodwater 2–8
retarding structures

(210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012) 2–iii

Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation Part 630
Procedures National Engineering Handbook

2–iv (210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012)

Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation Program
630.0200 Introduction
Hydrology for the evaluation of watershed projects is a
major concern in part 630 of the National Engineering
Handbook (NEH). The evaluation is a detailed investi-
gation of present (no project) and future (with project)
conditions of a watershed to determine whether given
objectives will be met. Along with appropriate socio-
economic and environmental assessments, hydrologic
evaluations are the bases on which recommenda-
tions for or against a project are founded. A summary
of the hydrologic evaluation is included in a work
plan, which is the official document for carrying out,
maintaining, and operating a project. The procedures
described in this chapter guide hydrologic studies and
introduce succeeding chapters of NEH630.
A watershed project evaluation begins with a pre-
liminary investigation (PI), a brief study to estimate
whether detailed investigation is justified (NEH630.03,
Preliminary Investigations). If detailed investigation
is justified, the PI is used to develop a work outline
describing the desired scope, intensity, and schedule
of the planning study; its estimated cost; the person-
nel requirements; and the completion date for a work
plan.
Data collection, computation, and analysis are equally
important divisions of work. Availability governs the
collection of data. Size or cost of project influences
the choice of computational and analytical methods.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) policy deter-
mines the number and kinds of analyses. Nevertheless,
the basic evaluation procedure does not vary. The
work outline schedule follows the plan in principle.
The plan, schedule, and chapters in NEH630 are re-
lated as shown in the following sections.
(210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012)
630.0201 Work outline plan and
schedule relationship
(a) Data collection
Base maps, project area maps, rainfall data
(NEH630.04, Storm Rainfall Depth), and runoff data
(NEH630.05, Streamflow Data) are collected early
in the study. Field surveys and remote sensing pro-
vide stream cross sections and profiles (NEH630.06,
Stream Reaches and Hydrologic Units) and structure
data. Interviews with local NRCS personnel provide
data on hydrologic soil-cover complexes (NEH630.07,
Hydrologic Soil Groups; NEH630.08, Land Use and
Treatment Classes; and NEH630.09, Hydrologic
Soil-cover Complexes) and runoff curve numbers
(NEH630.10, Estimation of Direct Runoff from Storm
Rainfall).
Originally all mapping was paper-based, but now it is
more common to use remote sensing and geographi-
cal information system (GIS) mapping procedures.
Remote sensing tools used include digital elevation
maps (DEMs), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
data; and other available GIS tools. One of the ad-
vantages of this approach is that the data may often
times be imported easily into hydrologic and hydraulic
computer models.
(b) Computations
Storm runoff (NEH630.10, Estmation of Direct Runoff
from Storm Rainfall), snowmelt runoff (NEH630.11,
Snowmelt), effects of land use and treatment
(NEH630.12, Hydrologic Effects of Land Use and
Treatment), the relation of stream stages to inunda-
tion (NEH630.13, Stage Inundation Relations), and
discharge (NEH630.14, Stage-Discharge Relations)
are computed early in this phase of the study. Travel
time and lag for each subarea (NEH630.15, Time
of Concentration) are computed for use in hydro-
graph construction (NEH630.16, Hydrographs)
and flood routing (NEH630.17, Flood Routing).
Runoff or peak discharge frequencies (NEH630.18,
Selected Statistical Methods), transmission losses
(NEH630.19, Transmission Losses), and watershed
Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation Part 630
Procedures National Engineering Handbook

yield (NEH630.20, Watershed Yield) are only computed of structure may be found in the Technical Release
if they are required in the study. Number 60, Earth Dams and Reservoirs (TR–60) and
section IV (practice standards) of the field office tech-
nical guide (FOTG). NEH630.21 describes the proce-
(c) Analyses dure used to develop storm hydrographs to meet the
design requirements of TR–60.
Watershed conditions are typically analyzed in a logi-
cal sequence. A typical study sequence might be:
1. Present condition—conditions in the water-
shed at the time of the surveys; and the base
to which the proposed project is added. Also
forms the basis of comparison of alternatives
for potential alternatives.
2. Future with no project condition—expected
future conditions of the watershed with no
project action taken. Depending upon the
funding source and program requirements this
condition may or may not have to be evalu-
ated.
3. Future with land use and treatment measures
condition—proposed land use and treatment
measures are added to the present condition
(number 1).
4. Future land use and treatment measure and
strutures condition—watershed protection
and flood prevention structures, if a part of
the plan, are added to the future with land use
and treatment measures condition (bullet 3).
Depending upon the number of alternatives evaluated,
numbers 3 and 4 may have to be repeated numerous
times to fully analyze all alternatives.

This order falls into a natural sequence in which mea-

sures that affect runoff first are evaluated first. Flood
routings for the present condition give the discharges
from which present flood damages are computed in
the economic evaluation. The routings are modified
(NEH630.12) to give discharges for determining the
effects of land use and treatment. New routings of
further modifications (NEH630.17) are made for the
third condition to give discharges for determining the
effects of the structures. Generally, the third condition
is studied at great length to optimize the number of
structures. While preliminary design is done during the
investigation, final design of individual structures is
made late in the investigation or after the work plan is
approved. The hydrology and NRCS hydrologic criteria
for structure design, depending upon the size and type

2–2 (210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012)

Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation
Procedures
630.0202 Hydrologic evaluation
process
Computer models may be used to develop runoff
hydrographs; route hydrographs through stream chan-
nels, floodplains, lakes, and reservoirs; combine hydro-
graphs; and determine stage-discharge-acres flooded
relations. NRCS developed models that are used
most frequently for hydrologic evaluations include
WinTR–55, Small Watershed Hydrology; WinTR–20,
Project Formulation—Hydrology; and NRCS
GeoHydro. For hydraulic evaluations, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers computer programs HEC–RAS and
HEC–GeoRAS are often used.
(a) Work sequence
The hydrologic evaluation sequence is shown in figure
2–1. As represented in the figure, the forms of maps,
graphs, and tables are simplified representations of
the various standard forms used in different States.
The preliminary investigation, which precedes the
evaluation is described in NEH630.03, Preliminary
Investigations. The design hydrology analysis as de-
scribed in NEH630.21 comes later.
After the present conditions are evaluated, the early
steps of the evaluation process may not need to be
repeated for the remaining conditions. Evaluations of
future conditions should include one that considers
the future with no project measures and accounts for
expected land use changes without any project being
implemented. Depending on expected changes, the
hydrologic soil-cover complexes and corresponding
runoff curve numbers would be revised, affecting the
runoff hydrographs. The evaluation process for the fu-
ture land use and treatment measures condition (num-
ber 3) starts at the hydrologic soil-cover complex step.
At this step, the soil-cover complexes are modified
to reflect different land use and treatment conditions
which reflect in the flow hydrographs. Finally, the
future land use and treatment measures plus structural
measures condition (number 4) may require modifying
the unit hydrograph to reflect structures in place.
Of the basic data needed in the evaluation, only the
historical rainfall and streamflow data are likely to
be unavailable. The rest are obtainable through field
(210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012)
Part 630
National Engineering Handbook
surveys or remote sensing. Lacking rainfall and run-
off data, the procedure goes as shown in figure 2–2.
Sources of rainfall-frequency data (NEH630.04) shown
in figure 2–2 include the U.S. Weather Bureau, the
National Weather Service, NOAA publications, or, in
some cases, special rainfall studies. Direct checks on
runoff cannot be made, but indirect checks can be
made if nearby watersheds are gaged.
Some steps in the procedures of figures 2–1 and 2–2
differ for regional analyses.
(b) Analysis methods
(1) Regional analysis method
This method estimates the magnitudes and frequencies
of peak discharges or runoff volumes for ungaged wa-
tershed using relationships from nearby gaged water-
sheds. The method in its simplest form is as follows:
Step 1 Select nearby gaged watershed that are
climatically and physically similar to the ungaged
watershed. These watersheds compose the region
that gives the method its name.
Step 2 Perform a frequency analysis
(NEH630.18) for peak discharges or runoff vol-
umes for each of the gaged watersheds.
Step 3 Compile discharge or runoff volume by
frequency for the frequency analyses of each wa-
tershed.
Step 4 Using log-log paper or some type of sta-
tistical analysis software, plot log (peak discharge
or runoff volume) versus log (drainage area of
the watershed) for selected frequencies. Perform
a simple regression analysis to estimate a best fit
straight line through the data.
Step 5 Construct the frequency line for the
ungaged watershed. To do this, enter the plot with
drainage area, find the magnitudes of each line of
relationship, plot the magnitudes at their proper
places on the probability paper, and draw the
frequency line through the points.
Step 6 Apply the frequency lines of step 5 in the
procedure for present conditions. Discharges or
volumes for with-project conditions are obtained
by use of auxiliary relationships described in
NEH630.12 and NEH630.17.
2–3
Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation Part 630
Procedures National Engineering Handbook

Figure 2–1 General process hydrology of watershed project evaluation with streamflow and rainfall data available

Subwatershed map
Base map Flood damage map Cross section location map
Hydrologic soil group map
Stream reach location map
Rea
ch 1 4
D
R e ac h
3
6 B
ach
2 5 C
Re
(chapter 3)
(chapter 7)
(chapter 6)

Reach 3 Subwatershed 3
Reach 2 Subwatershed 2
Reach 1 Subwatershed 1
Water surface profiles Hydraulic Field surveys Watershed inventory
(chapter 14) computations cross section profiles (chapter 8)
Land use and Present Future
Alternate

treatment (acres) (acres)

Stage

Cultivated 50 50
Straight row 50 –
Discharge Terraced – 50

Cross section 3 Reach 3 Storm of 6/1/40

Cross section 2 Reach 2 Storm of 7/3/36 Hydrologic soil-cover
Cross section 1 Reach 1 Storm of 6/12/35 complexes
(chapter 14) (chapter 3) 3"
2.5" (chapter 9)
3.5" 2" Subwatershed Present Future
over 6'
4'-6' 1 86 83
2'-4' Total 2 81 77
0-2' 3 83 82
Stage

Stage

4" 4 79 74
Historical storms
Discharge Area flooded (chapter 4)

Reach 3
Reach 2
Streamflow data
Reach 1
for checking results Runoff above reach
(chapter 5) (chapter 10)
Storm event Present Future
6/12/35 3.2" 3.0"
7/3/36 0.8" 0.5"
With structures 8/1/40 1.6" 1.5"
Present 6/10/59 3.2" 3.0"
Flood routing (chapter 17) Alternate
Reach 1 3
2
Reach 3
Rate

Reach 2
Reach 1
Runoff frequency (chapter 10)
Time
Runoff depth

Unit hydrograph Subwatershed 3 Reach 3

Unit hydrograph Subwatershed 2 Reach 2
Reach 1 1.25 2 5 10 25 50 100
Unit hydrograph Subwatershed 1 Frequency-years
(chapter 16)
Present With structures Future-w/LU&T plus structures Reach 3
Peak discharge

Future-w/LU&T plus structures Reach 2

s
t
en

cture
Rate

Future-w/LU&T plus structures Reach 1

es

stru
Pr

With
Future-with land use & treatment Reach 3
Time Runoff (depth) Future-with land use & treatment Reach 2
Future-with land use & treatment Reach 1
No project conditions Reach 3
No project conditions Reach 2
Subwatershed time
of concentration No project conditions Reach 1 Economic
(chapter 15) Present Reach 3 evaluation
Subwatershed Time of concentration (Tc) Present Reach 2
Present W/structure* Present Reach 1
(hr) (hr)
1 0.5 0.5 Physical effects of watershed
2 1.7 0.6 programs summarized
3 3.2 1.7 Storm Peak Area flooded
*For area not above structures series discharge 0'-1' 1'-2' 2'-3' etc
100 yr
50 yr
33 1/2 yr
25 yr

2–4 (210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012)

Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation Part 630
Procedures National Engineering Handbook

Figure 2–2 General process hydrology of watershed project evaluation with streamflow or rainfall data not available

Subwatershed map
Base map Flood damage map Cross section location map
Hydrologic soil group map
Stream reach location map
Rea
ch 1 4
D
Re a c h
3
6 B
eac
h 2 5 C
R
(chapter 3)
(chapter 7)
(chapter 6)

Reach 3 Subwatershed 3
Reach 2 Subwatershed 2
Reach 1 Subwatershed 1
Water surface profiles Hydraulic Field surveys Watershed inventory
(chapter 14) computations cross section profiles (chapter 8)
Land use and Present Future
treatment (acres) (acres)
Stage

Cultivated 50 50
Straight row 50 –
Discharge Terraced – 50
Distance

Cross section 3 Reach 3

Cross section 2 Reach 2 Hydrologic soil-cover
Cross section 1 Reach 1 complexes
Rainfall from U.S. Weather Bureau TP-40 (chapter 9)
(chapter 14) (chapter 3)
over 6' Subwatershed Present Future
4'-6' 1 86 83
2'-4' Total 2 81 77
0-2' 3 83 82
Stage

Stage

4 79 74

Discharge Area flooded

Reach 3
Reach 2
Reach 1
Runoff above reach
(chapter 10)
Storm event Present Future
2 yr 1.2" 1.1
5 yr 1.9 1.7
With structures
10 yr 2.3 2
Present
Flood routing (chapter 17)
Reach 1 3
2
Reach 3
Rate

Reach 2
Reach 1
Runoff frequency (chapter 10)
Time
Runoff depth

Unit hydrograph Subwatershed 3 Reach 3

Unit hydrograph Subwatershed 2 Reach 2
1.25 2 5 10 25 50 100
Unit hydrograph Subwatershed 1 Reach 1 Frequency-years
(chapter 16)
Present With structures Future-w/LU&T plus structures Reach 3
Peak discharge

Future-w/LU&T plus structures Reach 2

es
ctur
t
en
Rate

stru Future-w/LU&T plus structures Reach 1

es

With
Pr

Future-with land use & treatment Reach 3

Time Runoff (depth) Future-with land use & treatment Reach 2
Future-with land use & treatment Reach 1
No project conditions Reach 3
No project conditions Reach 2
Subwatershed time
of concentration No project conditions Reach 1 Economic
(chapter 15) Present Reach 3 evaluation
Subwatershed Time of concentration (Tc) Present Reach 2
Present W/structure* Present Reach 1
(hr) (hr)
1 0.5 0.5 Physical effects of watershed
2 1.7 0.6 programs summarized
3 3.2 1.7 Storm Peak Area flooded
*For area not above structures series discharge 0'-1' 1'-2' 2'-3' etc
100 yr
50 yr
33 1/2 yr
25 yr

(210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012) 2–5

Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation Part 630
Procedures National Engineering Handbook

In practice, the method is more complex, but generally • time to peak

only in step 3. In this step, the variables in addition
• percentage of area in lakes or ponds
to drainage area are related to the peaks or volumes.
The variables include one or more of the following, • extent or depth of shallow soils
alone or in combination, directly or by means of index
• extent of major cover
numbers:
• hydrologic soil cover complex
• type of climate
• geologic region
• mean annual precipitation or rainfall or snow-
• infiltration rate
fall
• mean base flow
• mean seasonal precipitation or rainfall or
snowfall • mean annual runoff
• maximum or minimum average monthly rainfall • watershed slope
• storm pattern
Combinations of these variables are used as single
• x-year frequency, y-hour duration rainfall variables in the analysis, one such combination being
the product of watershed length and the length to the
• mean number of days with rainfall greater than
center of gravity divided by the square root of the main
x inches
channel slope. Index numbers (NEH630.18) are used
• mean annual number of thunderstorm days for variables, such as geologic region, not ordinarily
defined by numerical values.
• mean annual, or seasonal, or monthly, tempera-
ture
Multiple regression methods (NEH630.18) must be
• maximum or minimum average monthly tem- used if more than one variable appears in the relation-
perature ship. The only adequate measure of the accuracy of
the relationship, and therefore, of the regional analy-
• orographic effects
sis, is the standard error estimate in arithmetic units.
• aspect Computation of the error is illustrated in NEH630.18.
• stream density
(2) USGS regional regression equations
• stream pattern Another source for determining relative effects of wa-
tershed characteristics on discharge is U.S. Geological
• length of watershed
Survey (USGS) regional regression equations. The
• length to center of gravity of the watershed USGS has performed multiple regression analyses on
gaged watersheds for each state. They correlate such
• length of main channel
watershed characteristics as drainage area, climatic
• average watershed width region, watershed slope, watershed storage, and oth-
ers, to peak discharge. The regression equations can
• altitude
be useful for transferring data from gaged watersheds
• watershed rise to the watershed of interest.
• main channel slope
• land slope
• depth or top width of main channel near outlet
for x-year frequency discharge
• time of concentration
• lag

2–6 (210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012)

Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation Part 630
Procedures National Engineering Handbook

630.0203 Design hydrology

The storage and spillway capacities of floodwater

retarding structures are determined as shown by the
flowchart in figure 2–3. NEH630.21 provides details of
the steps and provides the NRCS hydrologic design
criteria for constructing hydrographs for the design
storms.

(210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012) 2–7

Chapter 2 Watershed Project Evaluation Part 630
Procedures National Engineering Handbook

Figure 2–3 Design hydrology for storage and spillways in floodwater retarding structures

Class (c)
Class (b)
Min. 24 hr. precip. for Class (a)
freeboard hydrograph
Structure 3-Class (b) Class (c)
Structure 3
Structure 2-Class (b) Class (b)
Structure 2
Structure 1-Class (c) Min. 24 hr. precip. for Class (a)
Structure 1 Time of concentration (TC)
(chapter 15) Precipitation auxiliary spillway hydrograph
Drainage area map
Rainfall-inches (chapter 21)
Structure TC (hr) Auxiliary Freeboard ES-1020
spillway hydrograph 1021
1 9.2 hydrograph 1022
2 4.6 1023
24 hr. point 10 24
3 3.5 Adjust. t/area 9.5 22.6
Adjust. t/duration 10.5 25.1

Structure 3 Structure 3
Rainfall from U.S. Weather Bureau TP-40 &
Structure 2 Structure 2 Hydrologic soil cover NOAA Atlas #2
Structure 1 Structure 1
complex numbers
Hydrologic soil (chapter 9)
groups (chapter 7) Watershed inventory
(chapter 8) Above structure Present Future
C Land use and Present Future
treatment (acres) (acres) 1 75 70
Hydrologic soil group D: 2 65 65
D Positive (fair) 64 102 3 80 80
Cultivated (St. R.) 36 18
Hydrologic soil group C:
Cultivitated (ST. R.) 46 46

Structure 3
Structure 3
Structure 2 Runoff above structure
(chapter 10) Structure 2
Design hydrographs Structure 1 Auxiliary
(chapter 21) Str. no. Class. spillway Freeboard
hydrograph
Floodwater storage Structure 1
Freeboard hydrograph hydrograph
(inches) (inches)
Rainfall Runoff
1 (c) 6.7 20.7
Accumulated vol.

Auxiliary spillway
Discharge

hydrograph 2 (b) 5.3 9.8 Storage

3 (b) 4.7 9.5

Principal spillway release

Time
Time

Sediment storage
Structure 3 Structure 3 Field surveys (SCS-TR 12)
Structure 2 Structure 2 reservoir
Structure 1 Storage capacity Structure 1 sites 1, 2, 3, . . . Water supply
Principal spillway (NEH-5)
Structure 3 storage
Structure 2 (SCS-TR 19)
Structure 1
Stage

Stage

Storage requirement
(chapter 21 & SCS-TR 19)
Discharge Storage Acre fast
Sediment 530
Water supply 2,300
Floodwater 3,100

Structure 3 Structure 3 Structure 3

Structure 2 Structure 2 Structure 2
Auxiliary spillway Structure 1 Reservoir routing Structure 1 Auxiliary spillway Structure 1
selection (chapter 17 & SCS TR 2)
Trial spillway 3 Trial spillwlay 3
2 Auxiliary spillway
1 inflow hydrograph
Critical velocity

2
Discharge

Outflow trial
Stage

spillway Design vel.

2 3 1

Discharge Time Width

Structure 3 Structure 3
Structure 2 Structure 2
Auxiliary spillway Structure 1 Reservoir routing Structure 1

Freeboard hydrograph
ay
spillw Outflow Structural design
cted
Discharge

Sele
Stage

Discharge Time

2–8 (210–VI–NEH, Amend. 54, April 2012)