Flow Routing

 The procedure to compute the output hydrograph, when the input

hydrograph and physical dimensions of the storage are known, is called
Flow (Flood) routing.
 Flow routing is the movement of a flood wave down a channel or
through a reservoir and the associated change in timing (translation)
or attenuation of wave.
 Flow routing techniques are generally used for flood forecasting,
design of spillways, reservoirs and flood protection works, etc.
 Flow routing procedures are classified into two broad categories:
1. Reservoir Routing and 2. Channel Routing
 Flow routing analysis are based on:
Hydrologic Routing - Principle of Continuity
Hydraulic Routing - Unsteady Flow Equation
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Prof Dr Taj Ali Khan UET Peshawar
 Reservoir and Channel Routing

dS
I−Q =
dt

I Reservoir

Reservoir Routing S
Q

I Channel
Channel Routing S
Q

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 Process of Flow Routing

A flood hydrograph is modified in two ways as the storm water flows

downstream.

Firstly, the time to peak rate of flow occurs later at downstream

points. This is known as translation.

Secondly, the magnitude of the peak rate of flow is diminished at

downstream points, the shape of the hydrograph flattens out, and the
volume of flood water takes longer to pass a lower section. This
modification to the hydrograph is called attenuation.

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 Stored

Released

Figure. Flood Translation and Attenuation.

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 Hydrologic Routing

Reservoir or Storage routing:

Attenuate the peak outflow and lag the time to peak for the outflow
hydrograph.

Storage is a function of Q, which is a function of H.

Channel or River routing:

Peak of the outflow hydrograph from a reach is usually attenuated and

delayed compared to that of the inflow hydrograph

Storage is a function of both I and Q for the routing reach.

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 Inflow-Outflow Relationship
dS
I(t) − Q(t) =
The continuity equation is applicable to both
reservoir and channel flow and is expressed as:
dt
Considering the continuity equation in discrete ΔS
units for small interval of time t, the above I−Q =
equation is expressed as: Δt
Using finite difference form with subscripts 1 and 2
denoting the beginning and ending times for t so that:
I1 + I 2 Q1 + Q 2 S2 − S1
− =
2 2 Δt
At the beginning of a time step, all values are known except Q2 and S2. Thus a
second equation is needed to solve for Q2 at the end of a time step. This is
obtained by relating S to Q alone, or to I and Q together. A recursive approach
is then used to find sequential values of Q until the output hydrograph is fully
defined. 6
Linear Reservoir Routing
I1 + I 2 Q1 + Q 2 S2 − S1
− =
2 2 Δt
For linear reservoirs, storage is a function of outflow S = f(Q)
S = K Q where K is a proportionality constant or linear storage
coefficient, which has units of time (T).

S1 = K Q1 S2 = K Q2
Substituting these values in the above equation and solving for Q2
t / K
C0 = C1 =
Q2 = C0 I2 + C1 I1 + C2 Q1. 2 + (t / K )
2 − (t / K )
• Where C0, C1 and C2 are routing coefficients. C2 =
2 + (t / K )
• Since C0 + C1 + C2 = 1, the routing coefficients
are interpreted as weighting coefficients.
• These coefficients are a function of t/K, the ratio
of time increment to storage constant. 7
Example 1
A linear reservoir has a storage constant K = 2 h, and it is initially at
equilibrium with inflow and outflow equal to 100 m3/s. Route the following
inflow hydrograph through the reservoir.

Solution
First select an appropriate time interval. An examination of the inflow
hydrograph reveals that the time to peak is tp = 5 h.

A rule of thumb for adequate temporal resolution is to make the ratio tp/t at
least equal to 5. Setting t = 1 h assures that tp/t =5.

K = 2 hr t = 1 hr t/K = 1/2

Routing Coefficients

Co = (t/K)/(2 + t/K) = 1/5

C1 = (t/K)/(2 + t/K) = 1/5
C2 = (2 - t/K)/(2 + t/K) = 3/5
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 1 2 3 4 5 6

Q2 = C0 I2 + C1 I1 + C2 Q1.
Time Inflow Partial Flows (m3 /s) Outflow
3 3
(h) (m /s) Co I2 C1 I1 C2 O1 (m /s)
0 100 - - - 100
1 150 30 20 60 110.0
2 250 50 30 66 146.0
3 400 80 50 87.6 217.6
4 800 160 80 130.6 370.6
5 1000 200 160 222.3 582.3
6 900 180 200 349.4 729.4
7 700 140 180 437.6 757.6
8 550 110 140 454.6 704.6
9 400 80 110 422.8 612.8
10 300 60 80 367.7 507.7
11 250 50 60 304.6 414.6
12 200 40 50 248.8 338.8
13 150 30 40 203.3 273.3
14 120 24 30 164.0 218.0
15 100 20 24 130.8 174.8
16 100 20 20 104.9 144.9
17 100 20 20 86.9 126.9
18 100 20 20 76.2 116.2
19 100 20 20 69.7 109.7
20 100 20 20 65.8 105.8
21 100 20 20 63.5 103.5
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 1200
Inflow-Hydrograph

Outflow-Hydrograph
1000

800
Discharge Q (m /s)
3

600

400

200

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Time (hr)

Figurre 1. Linear Reservoir Routing.

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