+iF

16. Lighthill, M. H., and G. B. Whitham. (1955). "On Kinematic Waves. l. Flood Movement
in Long Rivers," Proceedings, Roytl Society, London, Vol. A229, May, pp. 281-316.
17. Mahmood, K., and Yevjevich, V. (1975). Unstea<ly Flott iu Open Channels, in 3 volumes.
Fort Collins, Colo.: Water Resources Publications.
Miller, W. A., and Cunge, J. A. (1975). "Simplitied Equations of Unstcady Flow," in Lh-
steady Flow in Open Chunnels, K. Mahmood and V. Yevjevich, eds., Fort Collins, Colo.:
Water Resources Publications.

5
NOAA National Weather Service. (1973). Atlas 2: Precipitation Atlus oJ the Western
United States.
20. NOAA National Weather Service. (1977). "Five- to 60-Minute Precipitation Frequency for
-
the Eastern and Central United States," Technical Mentorandunt NWS HYDRO-31.
2t Ponce, V. M., and D. B. Simons. (1977). "Shallow wave Propagalion in Open Channel
Flow," Journal oJ the Hydraulics Division, ASCE, Vol. 103, No. HYl2, December, pp.
t46t -1476.
22. Rantz, S. E. (1971). "Suggested Criteria for Hydrologic Design of Storm-drainage Facili-
ties in the San Francisco Bay Region, California," U.S. Geological Survey Opertfile
Report, Menlo Park, California.
23. San Diego County. (1985). Hydrology Munual, San Diego, California, revised January.
24. Schaake, Jr., J. C., Geyer, and J. W. Knapp. (1967). "Experimental Examination of the
HYDROLOGY OF MIDSIZE
Rational Method," Iournol oJ the Hydruulics Divisiou, ASCE, Vol. 93, No. HY6, Novem-
ber, pp. 353-370. CATCHMENTS
25. Weather Bureau, U.S. Dept. of Commerce. (1963). "Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the
United States for Durations from 30 Minutes to 24 Hours and Return Periods from I to 100
Years," Technicql Papcr No. 40.
26. Wooding, R. A. (1965). "A Hydraulic Model for the Catchment-stream Problem, L Kine-
matic Wave Theory," Journal oJ Hytlrology, Vol. 3, Nos. 3/4, pp.254-267.
27. Wooding, R. A. (1965). "A Hydraulic Model for the Catchment-stream Problem, ll- Nu-
merical Solutions," Journal oJ Hydrology, Yol.3, Nos- 3/4, pp.268-282. Tlgl{lSf4g q!tgf4c!!:_r!!1jc_s descrlbe a midsize catchment: (1) rainfall intensity varies
,,[i"-t1'"5to1i-gffion; iZl ruinialt Can b{aggalcd tp be unifprmlt d-isrrib-Lte_d.in
28. Wooding, R. A. (1965). "A Hydraulic Model for the Catchment-stream Problem, Ill.
space: (3) r!nolf is by_9y9llalr.d_I!9.wj1_d.stlq4$ c-h_e!LUp_l f!.qW;.enS (4) channel storage
Comparison with Runoff Observations," Journal of Hydrology, Vol. 4, pp. 2l-37.
roc9s.i9!:1l9i9c!!cible-
29. Woolhiser, D. A., and Liggett, J. A. (1967). "Unsteady One-dimensional Flow Over a P
-- ''' Catchments p_gfs.!!ilgj9!qe_91
Plane: The Rising Hydrograph," Water Resources Research, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp.753-771. gll lh--e.9-b-9y_9.jf9p9lti9l_el9-f-,4ttzeJ4 e-hy_ _ro-
togic sEisGiiffiAinT-r{!".teslt1lierGt-uilUig_i.UejldasieiL"A sL._h.i;T;"-
'@e"ptistlegrrul^"-fu
*I3!g*lslt t''-lq$UgstJ,.5"d-491!-9919
1
Lq-[slqp,qrar$r:Eis""f
4",.tDl ish th is is the un it h v dro -
grapfi TechniqLieli" il"t@it-9s!!66'.;T-a;i"r"g a try&oda;fi for a ;nili6r-

"qq!ffii;ia6liiErsblpektqd_eyef cpih$dlgg:14g,ij?edfoldilcjo-t|r_9a:f yat

storm hvetosranh-
In unit hydrograph analysis, the unit hydrograph duration is usually a fraction
of the concentration time. The increase in concentration time is due to the larger
drainage area and the associated reduction in overall catchment gradient. The latter
has the effect of increasing runoff diffusion.
The assumption of uniform spatial distribution of rainfall is a characteristic of
midsizEtitcffi#t affitrilTFE ;;;sta;-tli;;'-Gn';;Ui"O;J;;ir'ili,J
tmeffihx@Aapn:"-*-
Unlike midsize catchments. for larse catchments rainfall is likelv to varv sDa-
tiarrv, EnEras??erierEr stofm-.frst"s,lrr.""hJ"LTatirttb$iqeo;rinAEfiliire
catchment with moderate rainfall or as a hishlv intensive local storm (thunderstorm)
3v9l1n8 j4I3rg$g.Lgl rh" S"t9!t9t!: --
An important feature of large catchments that sets them apart from midsize

153
152 Hydrology ot Small Catchments Chap.4
 ..:1,i1:

pro-
catchments is their substantial capability for channel storage' Channe-!,storage
;;;ili;;i,enoaie the iio*i;hii;i;
;'iliiiin'the riiar charin-eii. Aiitin:!!,{!id-n-dan
i;1!i;_;Ji*:;jafi_;th_*;arisieEi(ii.itrl;kiI"*').,i...t.i;iei;rkoiadG";anei-
b"'k-!F,;-J;
*tJ -ii" iriu'nii.-F6iqa;9-liildrrtj-$ql-h!n-t[d.rrp-ei l$peq, c!qnne!.stbragie is sub
th:
i'ilh"il$!.tiji;1'd ;iorage u;i';"u"t i' !e{.g-."ly ssnqql!'.Q ry :l:p-' :f ,it"u*/t ,,",7''
, --*"/ ,/ ----'7'--
$aii!,iitligoiJ-;ti".xtiy,Te1-;;i4-;;5 -y'tb .f"-"pslslel !1qp9-s.'
cl-r3L4ne! pfel-psg !1neg- *Y t ,''L'1------'
.'t,'; I .,'./:-
tigibli. Since ia.g" that
'- ,.'l"'/ ,/ \ |r

they
* ha've a
"a!9-i'1noit.;6
slr6liantitt
1.l1et;'- !-q-n!f'-".-qr!!d-eheqrlej ,:lgr.9-s,, !!,fg!fow*s
caplbility for cha-nnel .tol$g.
lrr-p*l!.-e'.!-bis stcaus lhgt la$e -g*tsllllredq-c4l!ot-l1e-a!1-elv-z.e-4'viL'tt- lpe-tlallv [ ,',,v _i,,.---,,,
lumoed'meiirods such as the unir hydrograph, since these methgds do not {ake explicit
account of chann'el stoiage fiiocesses. Thercfore,,"unlike for midsize catchmenls, for
is.ncse$31-f.t9. u!9 ctrinndt 1oy,!i1-c]-c-EPt-91"e) 1q
peqqg!! f91-the
f!-ig!,e.49]ut9l-t-t.li
-:'- A'--yiff'-ttle-r*il-Gtyrqc"d3tii'0.rnj-Oaiz,".eaitn-*totu,-11re-limit-betrggljnid-
"il-it_g9j!+i"-;i;iysr.{,!sy-it'r.lg;vejliltu1i,a!i!,Ir,s-e
.ir" iitg"
una For midsize catchments' run-
"u!Sh$9U$jp.,+-C-Lt-Ul-!l^"4!e1-ell.9Ppa19l!-'
off resp6ili;iJtri;;rily a iun&n of the chiiiiieriitic-s of the storm hyetograph, with
not well suited as
concentration iime playing a secondary role. Therefore, the latter is
of catchment scale. Values ranging from.l-0-Qto 5000 km2 have been vari-
a descriptor Catchment
ourf' ur"a to define the limit between midsiie and large catchmenti. While there is no outlet

to date, the current trend is toward the lower limit' In practice' it is likely
"nr,."nru, *oufa biia iinle.li.irer *itiin-*trich both midsize and large catchment Figw 5-l Subdivision of large catchment into midsize upland and reach subcatchments.
thatthere
likely it is
techniques are applicable.-However, the larger the catchment area, the less
used extensively throughout the world. Tlr-eSg:Q .I&!.5"-u-cth.ad,,?llp included in this
that th; tumped approach is able to provide the necessary spatial detail'
chapter, has peak flow and hydrograph generation capabilities and is applicable to
It shouid be noted that the techniques for midsize and large catchments are in-
of midsize sub- small and midsize urban catchments with concentration time in the range 0.1'10'0 h.
deed complementary. A large catchment can be viewed as a collection
catchmen?s. Unit trydrograph techniques can be used for subcatchment runoff
gener- TtrJS:SS_,p-gth_od is_.!.ased on the runoff curve number method, unit hydrograph
ation, with channel routing used to connect streamflows in a typical dendritic network ,!gGGg:.-e!4:{iap,lji"iti eayr-a$e.l'}-q!ro,utid'spiioe9.4-ttiti:- --- . '
This chapter is divided iritijlhree sections, Section 5.1 describes the runoff curve
fashion(Fig.5.1).suchacomputationallyintensiveptocedureisideallysuitedtosolu.
the number method. Section 5.2 discusses unit hydrograph techniques, including unit hy-
tion with the aid of a comput;r. Examples of hydrologic computer models using
network concept are HEC-I of the U.S' Army Corps of Engineers and TR-20 of the drographs derived from measured data and synthetic unit hydrographs. Section 5.3
in deals with the TR-55 graphical method for peak-discharge determinations.
uSDA Soil Conservation service. These and other computef models are described
Chapter 13.
Inpractice,channel.routingtechniquesafenotnecessarilyrestrictedtolarge
catchments. They can also be used for midsize catchments and even for small
catch- 5.1 RUNOFF CURVE NUMBER METHOD
the unit
ments. However, the routing approach is considerably more complicated than
hydrograph technique. fhe routing approach is applicable to cases where an
in- Tlg:g-SSJlSg-ry""11u-4qpgrmethod is a procedure for hy019t_o_gj9_1b-s1,ry9!ion*develgped
i"u"t of detait is sought, above that which the unit hydrograph technique is byrhertsDASoitconserrntft.Ssrff{[2_1i. l1r,$S:l9-!"[0-fUqe{_depJblr.9r,,e,qec-
"."ur.i
able to provide-for instance, when the objective is to describe the tempofal
variation ti,v.g;s"1'fall{esth)ilaJuagie!-91-!glq.$i$?-1f !-egl!-.91ga"n".gp-{I391lel'-p3"!149ller
irtside the catchment. In this case, the routing ap- referred to as ru"off curve numuer:;riiG-il;nEei ot Clg."Tii" iuiue number variei"in
of streamflow at several points
proach may well be the only *uy to accomplish the modeling objective' th;-;A;- I Tq"-|.qg; us!lg-{Ftr!9:'*g!rrate$yj4slri.t..f1.:!rns-efic'sei"jiil."1
The h.ydrologic description of mid,size-'-c-a!c[t!-9-ntr.ConSi$-E q{ lwq pro-c.gq1es._
(1] nlglge:tjq,!l)_trLdtglggiS" soil type, (2) land_ ule and llgltln9ll. g_round surfac_e
This chapter focuses on a method 9- -* *(J-)
,uintuirta-l-si-raa,i#,!-nd,(2)fitilrig3j,!6;''tti'il' - The runoff curve number meifro<i-was developed based on 24-h lai4fall-runoff
or iuinturr uUiLuiii* t-ii"iii*ia"iy rii"a tor hydrologic design in the United
States:

the SsUS-oJ*sgLYgIig S9lgg9-Ggsbunofl*CUfyS-llur4b-9r- method' Other rainfall

ab-
{ttq,[T-i;iti"i-t'"rr 6-ttxj Ai&-iaiiffi 6riundrr-iibp]ii ;.i affi;'t;'pli;iit*t;6i;i.
straction procedures ur"O Uy aiJdii"irttea in Chapter 13' iCcount temporal variations of rainfall intensity. I&-tettpg?lJellblldl$ib3g|tS11.is
Witi tegard to hydrograph "*itiing "".p"i"ithis^oa"fs
generation, chapter centers on the unit hydro- intlggggd,et4lel": sltg9-quiuc-he-selletatioupllhc,rllslf hvd{9c!?fb-!J*1:1nt
i
graph techniq-ue, which is defacto standard for midsize catchments' having been oT-the convolution of the unit hydrograph (Section 5'2).

154 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap' 5 Sec. 5.1 Runoff Curve Number Method 155
 w
Runoll Curve Number Equation Srl"" prt"ntiu! q4I! i{Cly-itis mo"e-apprsprl4lq.Jo ex-
press it in terms of a runoff curvc nu*!9f:11-11t:ggl1$!!-94!Le-!4!C911,o._tQ9.: in
Ijllhs ru noff curvs. n rr mber metho4- actua!
$r4e$l|olat raidalt).ls.reprel9nte{.by_f-'.-*jtl_l_a
runoJf_Ls referrad to _as _Q a!j!
Q T-:e!ue!-fet9g!te1. {ter
potenti al
'n:rcF' .s:-1000 (s-7)
rung$_!9gl4s.is-Z---,Q. rhS.g!e$!e[9!9$!ssl9I-pS!9$!qlge{nu[-retention) is -10
CN
S;withS>P-Q.
@:Eodtt*arcdolan-assumplio-'9f_p!9p9.tiorq!ig!-eJqe9jl.t9!91!onand in which CN is the runoff culvt lt4lbe1 (dimensionless) and ^S, 1000 and 10 are given
tugoff: in inches. To illustrate, for CN = 100, s-=_Qta-ud for CN : 1, S : 990 in. Tlhere-
) P_Q:Q fsgl!" 93lJ!sglgr_sepab!!!tv for 1-4iniaI abslsslisn l! r-ryslSqly-pIgpg{el'elJS-tl:
(s-l ) tunoff curve nulnber.-Fqf!{*=:1Q"Q-.99 4!s!!qclt_o3J!_p9€!tbl9-t!,-Ltll runo-fl!9!_tlg
SP egu4!9leq!-r4irfell. onllg !te! !11a, tgl{_-lfif$ir"lly atl-retnfq[ u9U.l4_9e
yLLCb s_!gl-e-_s_lhat theratioof actualretefllion to Fotential reteatjg.lls equ4l to the ratio 4!$racle4_!Litb-1!I! af LhqtlS g:sj4!' 3!!y leg $lo*z gr.o.
of actual rrrnoff to notential .-'*:-
r.qnq$,Jtr!93r-s_qgT_p!i!1u-n49gc_o_res
-: the conceptual basis With Eq. 5-7, Eq. 5-6 can be expressed in terms of CN:
.gt !!'e rcnstt-p_sys nusbg!..!nel!99.
F.gIrya.f B4-epplicatioxs.Eq.5:..isimprovedby-ry_q.q9!!9.!b9-p-o-teniial-runoff g - lcN(P+2)-20012 (s-8)
an amount eoual to the
bvL*-G+ initial abstraction. The initial abstraction consists mainlv of cN tc'A(P - 8) + Sool
intgSgptiol, -i4filtralion and-rurfaerulq$Ce, occur before ru noff begins.
{19!w!tch which is subject to the restriction that P -r Q00/ CN) 2. In Eq. 5-8, P and Q are
-
P-r"-Q _ a (s-2)
given in inches. In SI units, the equatiifr-E-
S P-1" RlcN(P/R+2)-20017
a-- cNlcN(P/R-8)+8001 (s-e)
in which /, : initial abstraction.
Solving for Q from Eq. 5-2: which is subject to the restriction that P> Rl(200/ CN ) - 21. With R : 2.54 in Eq.
^ (P-t)2
u:- (s-3)
s-9, l_e$_Q uI9-C.!J9!-!tr .ceqt'Tg:..-s.
For a variable initial abstraction, Eq. 5-8 is expressed as follows:
P-1,,+S
which is physically subject to the restriction that
riiinuiafi Ainilie!-?bl-t*glffi s?g{'gt-QglgC-ltij-").*..
P> 1. (i.e., the potential runoff a: cN{cNlP-
lcN(P+l0K)-1000K12
100 - rol + 1000(l - r0}
(s-10)

-"*6;fitify Eq. s:i;-fiiii;i;6itta;Til"G related to potential maximum reten- which is subject to the restriction that P > (1000K/CN) - lOK. An equivalent equa-
tion as follows: tion in SI units is:
I" : 0.25 (s-4)
RICN(P/R + l0() - l000Kl2
This relation was obtained based on rainfall-runoff data from small experimental wa- a: cN{cNlP/R - l0(l - /()l + 10000 - r())
(s-il)
t6nrr"osl frre coeifi"i";i-02 hasb;;-ilbj*t"d-to ili?G-s*ciutiiij;.--Foi-]irs1ance,
sp;in[e-e1:llt:8jJygtr{€4--:m$9:li.i-q-d_!e.r!i4id-i?ic'n-in6iiii anii:tound-ttrat which is subject to the restriction that P > R[(1000K/CN) - 10I(1.
A graph of Eqs. 5-8 and 5-9 is shown in Fig. 5-2. This figure is applicable only
th'9!e"fl1cGntin,ps.54.y11te_a_fiIe_iatrg;.0.!.g0.a.Xcyut&!"_q!.qa[i\c$f
"- for the standard initial abstraction value, 1o : 0.2^S. If this condition is relaxed, as in
dard initial abstraction coeffici"nr recommended hy-SCS.l2Jl. For research applica-
Eqs. 5-10 and 5-l 1, Fig. 5-2 has to be modified appropriately.
tions and particularly when warranted by field data, it is possible to consider the initial
abstraction coefficient as an additional parameter in the runoff curve number
method. In general: Estimation ol Runoll Curve Numbe. From Tables
I": KS (s-s)
With rainfall P and runoff curve number CN, the runoff Q can be determined by
in which K : initial abstraction parameter.
With Eq. 5-4, Eq. 5-3 reduces to:

^ (P- 0.2SF
q: ',./ (s-6) ments. Tables of runoff curve-numbers-fgJarioufhvdlologic sg onlpl g
P+oJs *g"txsvelb!E-I!9-tud'9!q@
*ia-6iv a"iitauG. Ttr" hffio1sic soil-cover complex a"r".it"r J!99{'c
rpi.iti" lgrnqit9lion
P>
" ""-ui"iaon-a
"!,vqfe!"eiC !qi'€'9"prlll4-.$:gt[
which is subiect to the restriction that 0.25.
L_--_

Hydrology ot Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.1 Runoff Curve Number Method

12,5
c
o o:
o r0.0 c
c
ai
a 7.5 i5
123456789101112
Rainfall P {in,)
Flgurc 5-2 Direct runoff a5 a functioo of rainfall and runoff curye nunber [2fl-
antecedent moisture condition. All these have a direct bearing on the amount of runoff
"soilr-.ftre
ttgd"'{Sla-!il-ruit i.ld!f-rhe,rydjo';6;";;j! -qr6up-aescri$,iti9'typi oi
liiiri'use and treatment describGiifieSli6eiid a6itit-ibri"of vEfetafive iover. rhb hy-
drolo'fic condfiiriggElErs t<i th.i abrh{ flhe-wate_rjrte-a_f"-gT. t"_"$"". Ce or impe?e
diiediiuri6Ff. Thi: anidc6dEirt rnoistwe conaition adCJriiGTor ttre rlient tristoiy of
;;fi?m;a coiismifeffi-it-iS-e"'frce$id6ftFfiiloiuii-iif;;fiuie if<iitid bi the
caib1m6iif*'
HJCtolqgle,iolSqgP-:. All soils are classified into four hydrologic soil
groups of distinct runoff-producing properties. These groups are labeled A, B, C,
and D.
Group A consists of soils of low runoff potential, having high infiltration rates
even when wetted thoroughly. They are primarily deep, very well drained sands and
gravels, with a characteristically high rate of water transmission.
Group B consists of soils with moderate infiltration rates when wetted thor-
oughly, primarily moderately deep to deep, moderately drained to well drained, with
moderately fine to moderately coarse textures. These soils have a moderate rate of
water ttansmission.
Group C consists of soils with slow infiltration rate when wetted thoroughly, pri-
marily soils having a layer that impedes downward movement of water or soils of mod-
erately fine to fine texture. These soils have a slow rate of water transmission.
158 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5
:ilsil
i: Group D consists of soils of high runoff potential, having very slow infiltration
rates when wetted thoroughly. They are primarily clay soils with a high swelling poten-
t: tial, soils with a permanent high water table, soils with a clay layer near the surface,
and shallow soils overlying impervious material. These soils have a very slow rate of
water transmission.
Maps showing the geographical distribution of hydrologic soil types for most
areas in the United States are available either directly from SCS or from pertinent
'local
agencies. Additional detail on U.S. soils and their hydrologic soil groups can be
i found in NEH-4 [2f 1.
?o, j
f*3gg USg . The effect of the surface condition of a watershed
"Uffggtl4gtf.
is evaluated by means of land use and treatment classes. Land use pertains to the
:
watershed cover, including every kind of vegetation, litter and mulch, fallow (bare
br soil), as well as nonagricultural uses such as water surfaces (lakes, swamps, and so
: on), impervioui surfaces (roads, roofs, and the like), and urban areas. Land treatment
applies mainly to agricultural. land uses, and it includes mechanical practices such as
contouring or terracing and management practices such as grazing control and crop
rotation, A class of land use/treatment is a combination often found in a catchment.
The runoff curve number method distinguishes between cultivated land, grass-
lands, and woods and forests. For cultivated lands, it recognizes the following land
uses and treatments: fallow, row crop, small grain, close-seed legumes, totations
(from poor to good), straight-row fields, contoured fields, and terraced fields. Addi-
tional detail on these land use and treatment classes can be found in NEH-4 [2f].
Iy9!glqS!ggg!g!!99. Grasslands are evaluated by the hydrologic condi-
tion of native pasture. The percent of areal coverage by native pasture and the inten-
sity of grazing are visually estimated. A poor hydrologic condition describes less than
50 percent areal coverage and heavy grazing. A fair hydrologic condition describes 50
to 75 percent areal coverage and medium grazing. A good hydrologic condition de-
scribes more than 75 percent areal coverage and light grazing.
Woods are small isolated groves or trees being raised for farm or ranch use. The
hydrologic condition of woods is visually estimated as follows: (1) poot-heavily
grazed or regularly burned woods, with very little litter and few shrubs, (2) fair-
grazed but not burned, with moderate litter and sorne shrubs, and (3) good-pro-
tected from grazing, with heavy litter and many shrubs covering the surface.
Runoff curve numbers for forest conditions are based on guidelines developed by
the U.S. Forest Service. The publication Forest and Range Hyd.rology Handbook I23l
describes the determination of runoff curve numbers for national and commercial for-
ests in the eastern United States. The publication Handbook of Methods for Hydro-
logic Analysis [24] is used for curve number determinations in the forest-range regions
in the western United States.
Antecedent Molsture Condilion. The runoff curve number method has
three levels of antecedent moisture, depending on the total rainfall in the 5-d period
preceding a storm (see Table 5-1). The dry antecedent moisture condition (AMC I) has
the lowest runoff potential, with the soils being dry enough for satisfactory plowing or
cultivation to take place. The average antecedent moisture condition (AMC II) has an
Sec. 5.1 Runoff Curve Number Method 159
 TABLE 5'1 SFASONAL RAINFALL LIMITS FOR TABLE 5.2(a) RUNOFF CURVE NUMBERS FOR URBAN AREAS1 [22I
THREE LEVELS OF ANTECEDENT MOISTURE
coNDrTroN (AMC) [211 Curve Numbers {or
Cover Description Hydrologic Soil Group:
Total 5-d Antecedent Rainfall (cm)
Average Percent
AMC Dormant Season Growing Season Cover Type and Hydrologic Condition Imperious Area2

I Less than 1.3 Less than 3.6 Fully developed urban areas lvegetation
II 1.3 to 2.E 3.6 to 5.3 ^tablished)
Open spaci (lawns, parks, golf courses, cemeteries, etc.)r:
III More than 2.8 More than 5.3 Poor condition (grass cover less than 509o) 68 79 E6 89

Nore..This table was developed using data ftom the midwest-

Fair condition (grass cover 50 to 75%) 49 69 79 84

ern United States, Therefore, caution is recommended when

Cood condition (grass cover greater than 759o) 39 61 74 80
Impenious areas:
using the valu6 supplied in this table for AMC determina-
Paved parking lots, roofs, driveways, etc.
tions in other geographic or climatic regions.
(excluding right-of-way) 98
Strets and roads:
avetage runoff potential. The wet antecedent moisture condition (AMC III) has the Paved; curycs and stom sewers (excluding right-of-way) 98 98 98 9E

highest runoff potential, with the watershed practically saturated from antecedent Paved; open ditches (iocluding right-of-way) 83 89 92 9J

rainfalls. The AMC can be estimated from information such as that of Table 5-l or
Gravel (including right-of-way) 76 85 89 9r
Dirt (including right-of-way) 72 E2 8? E9
other similar regionally derived tables. Western desert urban areas:
Tables of runoff curve numbers for various hydrologic soil-cover complexes are Natural desert landscaping (peruious areas only)a 63 77 85 88
in current use. Table 5-2(a) shows runoff curve numbers for urban areas, Table 5-2(b) Artificial desert landscaping (impervious weed barrier, desert
shrub with I- to 2-in. sand or gravel mulch and
shows them for cultivated agricultural areas, Table 5-2(c) shows them for other agri-
basin borders) 96 96 96 96
cultural lands, and Table 5-2(d) shows them for arid and semiarid rangelands. Runoff Urban districts:
curve numbers shown in these tables are for the average AMC II condition. Corre- Commercial and business 85 89 92 94 95
sponding runoff curve numbers for AMC I and AMC III conditions are shown in lndustrial 't2 8t 88 9t 93
Table 5-3. Residential districts by average lot size:

Using Eq. 5-7, Hawkins et al [8] have expressed the values in Table 5-3 in terms { ac. or less (town houres) 65 77 85 90 92
I
4 ac. 38 6t 75 83 87
of potential maximum retention, They correlated the values of potential maximum
retention for AMC I and III with those of AMC II and found the following ratios to be * "". 30 57 72 8l 86
ua. 25 54 70 80 85
a good approximation: "l
I ac. 20 5l 68 79 84
,Sr Srr
- -r: (s-12) 2 ac, t2 46 65 77 82
S,,-S,,,-''" Developing urbun ureas

This led to the following relationships: Newly graded areas (pewious areas only, no vegetation)s 77 86 94
Idle lands (cuwe numbers (CNs) are determined using cover types
CNu similar to those in Table 5-2(c)).
CN, = 2.3 0.013 (s-13)
- CNil Notes:
rAverage anieedent moisture condition and /,,
= 0.2S,
CNrr 2The average percent imperyious area shown was used to devglop the composile CNs. Other assumptions are as fol^
CNlll: (s-14) lows: lmperyious areas ate direclly conn€cted to the drainage system; imperious areas have a CiV = 9E; and pervious
0.43 + 0.0057cNrr
areas are considered equivalent to open space in good hydrologic condition. CrVs for other combinations of conditions
which can be used in lieu of Table 5-3 to calculate runoff curve numbers for AMC I may bc omputed using Fig. 5-17 or 5-18.
rCNs shown are equivalent to those of pasture. Composite
and AMC III in tetms of the AMC II value. Cy'y's may be computed for other combinations of open space
cover type.
aComposite CNs for natural desert landscaping
Estimation of Runoll Curve Numbers lrom Measured Data should be computed using Figs. 5-17 or 5-18 based on the impeilious
area perccntage ( CN = 98) and the pewious area CN. The pewious area CNs are assumed equivalent to desert shrub
in poor hydrologic condition.
The runoff curve number method was developed primarily for design applications in sComposite CNs to us€ for the design
of temporary measures during grading and construction should be computed
ungaged catchments and was not intended for simulation of actual recorded hydro- using Figs, 5- I 7 or 5- 18, based on the degree of development (impervious area percentage) and the CNs fot ihe newly
graphs, However, where tainfall-runoff data are available, estimations of runoff curve graded penious areas,

160 Hydrology ol Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.1 Runoff Curve Number Method 161
 TABLE 5-2(c) RUNOFF CURVE NUMBERS FOR OTHER AGRICULTURAL LANDST [221

Curye Numbers for

TAELE 5.2(b) RUNOFF CURVE NUMBERS FOR CULTIVATED AGRICULTURAL LANDSI [22] Cover Description Hydrologic Soil Gtoup:

Hydrclogic
Curye Numbers lor
Cover Description Cover Type Condition
Hydrologic Soil Group:

Hydrologic
Pasture, grassland, or range-continuous Poor 68 79 86 E9
Cover Type Treatment2 Conditionj fotage for grazing2 Fair 49 69 79 84
Good 39 61 74 80
Fallow Bare mil 77 E6 9l 94 Meadow-continuous grass, protected from 30 58 71 78
Crop residue cover (CR) Poor 76 85 90 93 gruing and gencrally mo*ed for hay
Gmd 74 83 EE 90 Brush-brush-weed grass mixture with brush Pmr 48 67 77 83
Ro* crops Straight rcw (SR) Pmr 72 81 6E 9l being the major elementJ Fair 35 56 70 77
Gmd 67 7E 85 89 Good 3tr 48 65 73
SR+CR Pmr 7t 80 87 90 Woods-grass combiration (olchard or Poor 57 73 E2 66
Gmd 64 75 E2 E5 tre farm)s Fair 43 65 '16 E2
Contoured (C) Poor 70 79 84 Sg God 32 58 72 79
Good 65 75 E2 86 Wmds.6 Poor 45 66 77
c+cR Poor 69 78 E3 87 Fair 36 60 73
E3
79
Good 64 74 El E5
Good 3tr 55 70 77
Contoured and terraced (C&T) Poor 66 74 E0 82
Farmsteads-buildings, lanes, driveways, 59 74 a2 86
Gmd 62 7t 78 8l
and surrounding lots.
c&T + cR Poor 65 73 79 81
God 61 70 77 80 Notes:
Small grain SR Pmr 65 76 84 8E
rAverage aotecedent moisture condition and 1"
= 0,2S.
Good 63 75 83 87 2Poor.-less than 5090 ground cover on heavily grazed with no nulch.
SR+CR Poor @75 E3 E6 Fair: S0 to TSVI ground cover and not heavily grazed.
Good 60 72 60 84 God.' mote than 7590 ground @ver and lightly or only occasionally grazed.
c Poor 63 74 E2 85 JPoor: less than 5070 ground cover.
Gmd 6l 't3 81 84 Foil: fi to 75Vo ground cover.
c+cR Poor 62 73 EI E4
Good.' more than 7590 ground cover.
Good 60 72 E0 83
less than 30; use CN : 30 for runoff computations.
c&T Pot 61 72 79 E2 'Actual cune number is
5CNs shown were computed for areas with 5090 wmds and 50% grass (pasture) cover. Other combinations
Good 59 70 78 El
c&T + cR Pmr 60 7t 78 81 of conditions may be computed from the CNs for woods and pasture.
Gmd 58 69 77 6Poor: Forest litter, small tres, and brush are destroyed by heavy grazing or regular burning.
E0
Clorc-seeded SR Por 66 '17 85 E9
Fa,r W@ds are grazed but not burned, and som€ forest litter covers the soil.
or brcadcast Good 58 72 El 85 6ood.' Wmds are protected from grazing, and litter and brush adequately cover the soil.
legumes or C Poor 64 75 83 E5
rotation Good 55 69 78 83
meadow C&T Pmr 63 '13
80 E3 numbers can be obtained directly from data. These values complement and in certain
Good 51 67 76 80 cases may even feplace the information obtained from tables.
Notes: To estimate runoff curve numbers from data, it is necessary to assemble corre-
rAverage antecedent moisture
condition and 1, = 0.2S. sponding sets of rainfall-runoff data {or several events occurring individually. As far
2Crop residue
covu applies only if residue is on at lect 5% of the surfae throughout the year. as possible, the selected events should be of constant intensity and should uniformly
rHydrclogic cotrdition is based on
combination of factors that affect infiltration and runoff, including: (l) cover the catchment. A recommended procedure is to select events that correspond to
$$E-4!r{lPrcp: of vegetlted-areil; (2) aloll'lg{-Jgarr9}qq.-goyglj (.!)3rqg!gt.qJgrass or-cto99-seded annual floods [13]. Inclusion of events of greater frequency may lead to more conserv-
r".gg3St!qtrl3lr""j-!1) ili€lt-g,t_ry{9Cp
iglri s" ttr! ta1d_.-sdac9-(c*d hydrologic cmdition is sreater ative (higher) values of runoff curve number [18]. The selected sets should encompass
thanorequal to20%):and(5)de,gl9-e--9f-luil*:."r9ggltress.Poor. Factorsimpairinfiltrationandrendto
increas runoff. Goodr Factors eniouiige i6"agea;; 6ettir. than average infiltration atrd tend to decrease a wide range of antecedent moisture conditions, from dry to wet.
runoff. For each event, a value of P, total rainfall depth, is identified. The associated
direct runoff hydrograph is integrated to obtain the direct runoff volume. This runoff
volume is divided by the catchment area to obtain Q, the direct runoff depth (in centi-

162 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.1 Runofl Curve Number Method 163
 TABLE 5.2(d) RUNOFF CURVE NUMBERS FOR ARID AND SEMIARID RANGELANDSI [22I TABLE 5.3 GORFESPONDING RUNOFF CURVE NUMBERS FOR THREE
AMC CONDTTTONS [211
curye Numbers for
Cover Description Hydrologic Soil Group: AMC TI AMC I AMC III AMC II AMC I AMC TII

Hydrologic 100 t00 100 60 40 7E

Cover Type Condition'] 9 9'l 100 59 39 't7
9E 94 99 58 38 76
Herbaceotrs-mixlure of grass, weeds, Poor 80 E7 93 97 9l 99 5'l 31 75
and low-growing brush, with b.ush the Fair '11 81 89 96 99
E9 56 36 75
minor element. Cood 62 74 85 95 87 98 35 74
Oak-aspen-mountain brush mixture of Poor 66 74 79 94 E5 98 54 34 73
oak brush, aspen, mountain mahogany, Fair 48 57 63 93 83 98 53 33 72
bitter brush, maple, and other brush. Cood 30 41 48 92 8l 97 52 32 7t
Pinyon-juniper-pinyon, junipcr, or both ; Poor 75 85 89 91 80 9'l 5l 3l '10
gtass understory. Fair 5E '13 E0 90 78 96 50 3l 70
Good 4t 6t 7l E9 '76 96 49 30 69
Sagebrush with grass understory. Poor 61 80 85 88 75 95 48 29 68
Fair 5l 63 70 87 73 95 47 28 67
Gmd 35 47 55 86 72 94 46 27 66
Desert shrub-major plants include saltbrush, Poor 63 71 85 E8
85 '10 94 45 26 65
greaFw@d, creosotebush, blackbrush, Fair 55 '12 81 86
84 68 93 44 25 64

bursage, palo verde, mesquite, and caclus. Good 49 68 't9 84

83 6'1 9J 43 25 63
E2 66 92 42 24 62
8l 64 92 4t 23 6l
tAverage antecedent moisture conAition and ,,
- 0.2S. For range in humid regions, u$e Tablc 5-2(c). E0 63 9l 40 22 60
2Poor; less than 307o ground cover (litter, grass, and brush overstory). 79 62 9l 39 2t 59
For: 30 to 7090 ground cover, 78 60 90 3E 2t sE
Goodj more than 70olo ground cover. 77 59 E9 37 20 57
JCu*e numbers for group A have been developed only for descrt shrub. 76 5E 89 36 19 56
75 57 88 35 t8 55
74 55 88 34 l8 54
meters or inches). The values of P and Q are plotted on Fig. 5-2 and a corresponding 73 54 87 33 17 53
value of CN is identified. The procedure is rcpeated for all events, and a CNvalue is 72 53 86 32 t6 52
obtained for each event, as shown in Fig. 5-3. In theory, the AMC II runoff curve 7t 52 86 31 16 5l
70 st 85 30 l5 50
number is that which separates the data into two equal groups, with half of the data 69 50 E4
plotting above the line and half below it. The AMC I runoff curve number is the curve 68 48 84 2s 12 43
number that envelopes the data from below. The AMC III runoff curve number is the 67 47 83 20937
curve number that envelopes the data from above (see Fig. 5-3). 66 46 E2 15630
65 45 E2 t0422
64 44 8l 5213
Assessment of Runotl Curve Number Method 63 43 EO 000
62 42 ?9
The positive features of the runoff curve number method are its simplicity and the fact 61 4r 78
that runoff curve numbers are related to the major runoff producing properties of the
watershed, such as soil type, vegetation type and treatment, surface condition, and
antecedent moisture. The method is used in practice to determine runoff depths based Experience with the method has shown that results are sensitive to curve num-
on rainfall depths and curve numbers, with no explicit account of rainfall intensity ber. This stresses the importance of an accurate estimation of curve number to mini-
and duration. mize the variance in runoff determinations. The standard tables provide helpful
A considerable body of experience has been accumulated on the runoff curve guidelines, but local experience is recommended for increased accuracy, Typical run-
number method. Publications continue to appear in the literature either to augment off curve numbers used in design are in the range 50 to 95.
the already extensive experience or to examine critically the applicability of the Closely associated with the method's sensitivity to runoff curve number is its
method to individual situations. For best results, however, the method should be used sensitivity to antecedent moisture. Since runoff curve number varies with antecedent
judiciously, with particular attention paid to its capabilities and Iimitations. moisture, markedly different results can be obtained for each of the three levels of

164 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.1 Runoff Curve Number Method 165
 Fl::
:?
t' TABLE $4 ANTECEDENT MOISTUBE CONDITION VERSUS DESIGN
STORM FREQUENCY

SCS Antecedent Moistute Condition

Design Frequency Foothills Mountains Deserl

5-35 y t.5 2.5 2.0 t.5

35-150 y 2.O 3.0 3.0 2.O

Jozrce; San Diego County Hydrology Manual.

dependent of catchment scale, its indiscriminate use for catchments in excess of 250
o
e
km2 (100 mi2) without catchment subdivision is generally not recommended. The run-
off curve number was originally developed by SCS for use in midsize rural watersheds.
o Subsequently, the method was applied to srr'all and midsize urban catchments
(the TR-55 method). Therefore, its extension to large basins requires considerable
judgment.
Example 5-1.
A certain catchment experiences 12.7 cm of total rainfall. The catchment is coveted by
pasture with medium grazing, and 32 percent of B soils and 68 percent of C soils. This
event has been preceded by 6.35 cm of rainfall in the last 5 d. Following the SCS method-
ology, determine the direct runoff for the 12.7 cm rainfall event.
0123456789101112
Rainfail P (in.) A fair hydrologic condition is chosen for pasture with medium grazing. From Table 5-
2(c), the runolf curve numbers for pasture with fair hydrologic condition are CIV = 69 for
Flgre 5-3 Estimation of runoff curye numbers from measured data.
B soils, and CN : 79 for C soils. The applicable CN is a weighted value:

antecedent moisture. At first, this appears to be a limitation; however, closer exami-

nation reveals that runoff is indeed a function of antecedent moisture, with the meth-
od's sensitivity to AMC reflecting the conditions likely to prevail in nature. Hjelmfelt
et al. [9] attached a probability meaning to AMC, with AMC I corresponding to l0
percent probability of exceedence, AMC II to 50 percent, and AMC III to 90 percent.
This may help explain why practical enveloping curves to determine AMC I and AMC
III usually do not encompass all the data.
The popularity of the runoff curve number method is largely due to its simplic-
ity, although proper care is necessary to use the method conectly. The method is es-
sentially a conceptual model to estimate runoff volumes based on established hydro-
logic abstraction mechanisms, with the effect of antecedent moisture taken in a
probability context. In practice, (average) AMC II describes a typical design condi-
tion. When warranted, other antecedent moisture conditions, including those inter-
mediate between I, II, and III, can be considered. An example of regional practice is
given in Table 5-4.
Experience with the runoff curve number method has shown that the curve num-
bers obtained from Table 5-2 tend to be conservative (i.e., too high) for large catch-
ments, especially those located in semiarid and arid regions. Often this is due to the
fact that these large catchments have additional sources of hydrologic abstraction, in
particular, channel transmission losses, not accounted for by the tables, In this case it
is necessary to perform a separate evaluation of the effect of channel abstractions on
the quantity of surface runoff.
While the applicability of the runoff curve number procedure appears to be in-
g7Y: (69 x 0.32) + (79 x 0.68) = 76 (s-1s)
Since this event has been preceded by a substantial amount of moisture in the last few
days, AMC III is chosen. From Table 5-3, for AMC II CN :
76, AMC III CN 89. :
From Eq. 5-10 or Fig. 5-1, with CN : 89 and P : 12.7 cn(S in.), a value of Q :
9.58
cm (3.77 in.) is obtained as the direct runoff tor this event.
5.2 UNIT HYDROGRAPH TECHNIOUES
The concept of unit hydrograph, originated by Sherman [14], is used in midsize catch-
ment analysis as a means to develop a hydrograph for any given storm. The word azr't
i; 1"-111gll.L!-t| 9ll.lo-_{efe! 19-.1 u-ni!._a9gt! gf_qtfesllve :eidall-or. ru-spl.f,Fo:wEner,lt
should be noted that Sherman liisfused the word to describe a unit depth of runoff (1
cm or I in.) lasting a unit increment of time (i.e., an indivisible increment). The unit
increment of time can be either 1-h, 3-h, 6-h, 12-h, 24-h, or any other suitable dura-
tion. For midsize catchments, unit hydrograph durations from 1 to 6 h are common.
'fhe unit hydrograph is defined as the hydrograph produced by a unit depth of
runoff uniformly distributed over the entire catchment and lasting a specified dura-
tion. To illustrate the concept of unit hydrograph, assume that a certain storm pro-
duces I cm of runoff and covers a 50-km2 catchment over a period of 2 h. The hydro-
graph measured at the catchment outlet would be the 2-h unit hydrograph for this
50-km2 catchment (Fig. 5-4).
A unit hydrograph for a given catchment can be calculated either (1) directly, by

166 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.2 Unit Hydrograph Techniques 't 67
 i?i.i.
i: -:.

r-t
I t,=2h
o2
I I
i

!,,!

P -- Unit
,';"{ rainfall

Unit
2-h unit hydrograph hydrograph
o Ior 5Gkm2 catchment

o
tt Time base-l
l<
02468 Time
Time (h)
lal
Figuc 5-4 Concept of unit hydrograph, L.J
il
using rainfall-runoff data for selected events, or (2) indirectly, by using a synthetic 9=
unit hydrograph formula. While both methods can be used for gaged catchments, ;p
only the latter method is appropriate for ungaged catchments.
Slqcej_gnl! hvdtoe{aph has Eeqning onlyhconueetioo-wtth a eiv*qt qt^olg du-
I1lisq' it t9llswt,tl-qlqsetsl'rnegtpp-4 h.4yg--s-eJ-e-rat.u$t hyd'r-ccl-4P!u,each fo-r a differ-
9!! ralltell_dqralli9!._qg$ e g!i1_!v{_rg,r4-!gt agltln duration has been deter-
m-inea, -otner uqit hvdrograpbl-carrle-sg!iya fqm-rt-ui,.qiG'irlle itiil- fiittowing
-9i
;_.m"al"!tl.gfo d"rt6..U9!!rodq',q-(Q.s:Uqt9g'"pri""iiioii.
- fwo assumptions aiiiluiiil"to thi: aevelop-fient of Tlie"niit hydrograph tech-
.-Giui-n i-u;it-t'90.o-
"lcy-.'-Ttr;*t'.*lel2!ll9ftlql.-"-l:ia-"-s{i,{.--eaA-.l*ritt*,*i
graph, a hydrograph for a runoff depth other than unity can be obtained by simply
multiplying the unit hydrograph ordinates by the indicated runoff depth (linearity).
This, of course, is possible only under the assumption that the time base remains con'
stant regardless of runoff depth (Fig. 5-5(a)).
rl$bglg:fgf 4l-!f9rySf*$ls!!qi11e_9 s.!!rq ysy $ -esqr!.I-o- qh"al_of,the unit 8t
hydtsC1epb. Therefore, the procedure can be used to calculate hydrographs produced
by a storm consisting of a series of runoff depths, each lagged in time one increment of Effeciive
unit hydrograph duration (Fig.5-5(b)). The summation of the corresponding ordi- rainlall

nates of these hydrographs (superposition) allows the calculation of the composite hy-
drograph (Fig. 5-5(c)). The procedure depicted in Fig. 5-5 is referred to as the conyo-
tutionol"gl!"!!yqrygl,id$!!_s'-gff@ffi s*E_"1teFtl-*
-*'Ifr'6#ft;] ifrE p?6Gailriia-ountt to-Jiuting ittutGi,iomposite hydrograph or-
dinates are a linear combination of the unit hydrograph ordinates, while the compos-
ite hydrograph time base is the sum of the unit hydrograph time base minus the unit
hydrograph duration plus the storm duration.
The assumption of linearity has long been considered one of the limitations of ').-'^'-, )
qllr!-1,1@ec1epL'1!earr-. m4Iursf-.-t !E t't!19.t"r'als'li"-'.p.piii-*iiriiil"y'
Time
follow a linear function. For one thing, discharge and mean velocity are nonlihedr Figure 5-5 Unit hydrograph properties:
{c} (a) linearity; (b) lagging; (c) superposition.

Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5

Sec. 5.2 Unit Hydrograph Techniques
 ve:
i:i:'

I$,4!qlxf-f!,qw deplh a-nd $4g9.."h-pra-c.Iet,-the-!!qeare$c-gjtiqlp-19v1do1-c,olve- Centroids

nGnt rn"un. of calculating-rq!g-l-t l9ryon!-9-.yl!!qut the co-mplexitjes alsociated with x Total raintall
noniineifingiisis. More recent developments of unit hydrograph iheory [I' 4. l5] + Efj&tive rainfall
haGGla;;d the linear assumption. Methods accounting for the nonlinearity of runoff o Runott
response constitute what is.ItgYl gtlo-1j'n94t-j-t! t'-ydlSC!ry! !-h-"91v a Point of inilection
fhe upper timii of aiifi-cabllity of the unit hydrograph is not very well defined.
Sherman I 14] used it in connection with basins varying from 1300 to 8000 km2. Linsley
et al. [10] mention an upper limit of 5000 km2 in order to preserve accuracy. Mote
recently, the CUll-!rydr9ggp_! t'gl !:Cl l!4e4-lqthc-csccp!-9f,mids-i,29-calchment,
i.e., ereatei than 2.5 km2 and less than 250 km2. This certainly does not preclude the
'nviifit"pr,
unit i;"h;''q";ililrilTnf ai;priea to catchments larger than 250 km2,
.------:---
although overall accuracy is likely to decrease with an increase in catchment area.

Development of Unit Hydrographs: Direct Method

To develop a unit hydrograph by the direct method it is necessary to have a gaged

catchment, i.e., a catchment equipped with rain gages and a stream gage at the outlet,
and adequate sets of corresponding rainfall-runoff data.
The rainfall-runoff records should be screened to identify storms suitable for
unit hydrograph analysis. tdeally, a storm should have a clearly defined duration, with
no rainfall preceding it or following it. The selected storms should be of uniform rain-
fall intensity both temporally and spatially. In practice, the difficulty in meeting this
latter requirement increases with catchment size. As catchment scale grows from mid-
size to large, the requiremeiit of spatial rainfall uniformity in particular is seldom met.
This limits unit hydrograph development by the direct method to midsize catchments.
Figure5-6 Alternate definitions of catch-
ment lag [7].
stream from outlet to divide); Z" : length to catchment centroid (length measured
along the main stream from outlet to a point located closest to the catchment cen-
troid); J : a weighted measure of catchment slope, usually taken as the ,S2 channel
slope (chapter 2); and c and N are empirical parameters. The parameter Z describes
length, Z" is a measure of shape, and .S relates to relief.

Catchmenl Lag. The concept of catchment l4g, basin lag, or lag time is cen-
tral to the development of unit hydrograph theory. It is a measure of the time elapsed
between the occurrence of unit rainfall and the occurrence of unit runoff. Catchment
lag is a global measure of response time, encompassing hydraulic length, catchment
gradient, drainage density, drainage patterns, and othet related factors.
There are several definitions of catchment lag, depencing on what particular
instant is taken to describe the occurrence of either unit rainfall or runoff. Hall [7] has
identified seven definitions, shown in Fig. 5'6. Among them the T2 lag. defined as the
time elapsed from the centroid of effective rainfall to the peak of runoff, is the most
commonly used definition of catchment lag.
In unit hydrograph analysis, the concept of catchment lag is used to characterize
the catchment response time. Because runoff volume must be conserved (i.e., runoff
volume should equal I unit of effective rainfall depth), short lags result in unit re'
sponses featuring high peaks and relatively short time bases; conversely, long lags
result in unit responses showing low peaks and long time bases.
In practice, catchment lag is empirically related to catchment characteristics, A
general expression for catchment lag is the following:
,,: ,(#)' (s-16)
in which t/ : catchment lagi L: catchment length (length measured along the main
Methodology. In addition to the requirements of uniform rainfail intensity
in time and space, storms suitable for unit hydrograph analysis should be of about the
same duration. The duration should tie between 10 percent to 30 percent of catchment
lag. The latter requirement implies that runoff response is of the subconcentrated
type' with rainfall duration less than time of concentration. Indeed, subconcentrated
flow is a characteristic of midsize catchments.
For increased accuracy, direct runoff should be in the range 0.S to 2.0 units
(usually centimeters or inches). several individual storms (at leastlive events) should
be analyzed to assure consistency. The following steps are applied to each individual
storm:
l. Separation of the measured hydrograph into direct runoff hydrograph (DRH)
and baseflow (BF), following the procedures explained below.
2. Calculation of direct runoff vorume (DRV) by integrating the direct runoff hy-
drograph (DRH).
3. calculation of direct runoff depth (DRD) by dividing the direct runoff volume
(DRV) by the catchment area.
4. Calculation of unit hydrograph (uH) ordinates by dividing the ordinates of the
direct runoff hydrograph (DRH) by the direct runoff depth (DRD).
5. Estimation of the unit hydrograph duration.

170 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap- 5 Sec. 5.2 Unit Hydrograph Techniques 171
 tr'
The catchment unit hydrograph is obtained by averaging the unit hydrograph
ordinates obtained from each of the individual storms and averaging the respective
Water table
unit hydrograph durations. Minor adjustments in hydrograph ordinates may be neces-
sary to ensure that the volume under the unit hydtograph is equal to one unit of runoff
depth.

Hydrograph Separation. Only the ditect runoff component of the measured - Figurc 5-E Hydraulically connected stream and water table.
hydrograph is used in the computation of the unit hydrograph. Therefore, it is neces-
sary to separate the measured hydrograph into its direct runoff and baseflow compo- ing baseflow, as shown by line b in Fig. 5-7 l5l. The most expedient assumption for
nents. Interflow is usually included as part of baseflow. baseflow separation is a straight line from the start of the rising limb to the ending
Procedures for baseflow separation are usually arbitrary in nature. First, it is point, as shown by line c. Differences in baseflow due to the various separation tech-
necessary to identify the point in the receding limb of the measured hydrograph where niques are likely to be small when compared to the direct runoff hydrograph volume.
direct runoff ends. Generally, this ending point is located in such a way that the reced- Additional methods for hydrograph separation and baseflow recession are described
ing time up to that point is about 2 to 4 times the time-to-peak (Fig. 5-7). For large in Chapter ll.
basins, this multiplier may be greater than 4. As far as possible, the locati<ln of the
ending point should be such that the time base is an even multiple of the unit hydro- Example 5-2.
graph duration. A common assumption is that baseflow recedes at the same rate as A unit hydrograph is to be developed for a 37.8-km2 catchment with a lag time of l2 h. A
prior to the storm until the peak discharge has passed and then gradually increases to 2-h rainfall produced the following streamflow data:
the ending point P in the receding limb, as illustrated by line a in Fig. 5-7' If a stream Time(h) 0 2 4 6 8 l0 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
and groundwater table are hydraulically connected (Fig. 5-8), water infiltrates during Streamflow(mrls) 2 | 3 5 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 I I
the rising limb, reducing baseflow, and exfiltrates during the receding limb, increas-
Develop a unit hydrograph for this catchment.

A summary of the calculations is shown in Table 5-5. Columns I and 2 show time and
I F- measured streamflow, respectively. Baseflow is established by examining the measured
streamflow. Since the hydrograph rise starts at 2 h and ends at22h, a value of baseflow
equal to I mJ/s appears reasonable. (ln practice, a more detailed analysis as described in
Section I 1.5 may be nccessary.) Column 3 shows the ordinates of the DRH obtained by
substracting baseflow from the measured streamflow. To calculate direct runoff depth,

TABLE 5.5 DEVELOPMENT OF UNIT HYDROGRAPH: DIRECT METHOD, EXAMPLE 5.2

(r) {2) (3) (4) (6) ('t)

Time Streamflow DRH Simpson's UH

(h) (mrls) (mrls) coefficients (mrls) Verification

02
2l
43
;
2
0 0.00 0.00
8 2.50 10.00
65 8 5.00 t0.00
89 8 32 10.00 40.00
108 1 t4 8.75 l7.v)
t2 'l 6 24 7.50 30.00
146 5 t0 6.25 12.50
t65 4 l6 5.00 20.00
164 3 6 3.75 7.50
203 2 8 2.50 10.00
22 I 0 0 0.00 o_,
c
24 I
Time
Sum 126 157.50
Figure 5-7 P.ocedures for basflow separation.

172 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.2 Unit Hydrograph Techniques 173
 DRH is integrated numerically following Simpson's rule. The Simpson's rule coefficients 2A
are shown in Col. 4. Column 5 shows the weighted ordinates obtained by multiplying Col.
Qr: n (5-18)

3 by Col. 4. Summing up the weighted ordinates (Col, 5), a value of 126 m3ls is obtained.
Since the integration interval is 2 h, the DRV (acording to Simpson's rule) is DRV =
(126 mr/s X 7200 seconds)/3 : 302,400 m3. The DRD is obtained by dividing DRV by
the catchment area (37.8 km2) to yield: DRD = 0.8 cm. The unit hydrographs ordinates
(Col. 6) are calculated by dividing the DRH ordinates (Col. 3) by DRD. To verify the
calculations, the unit hydrogtaph shown in Col, 6 is integrated by multiplying Col. 4
times Col. 6 to obtain Col. 7. The sum of Col. 7 is 157.5 m3/s. It is verified that the ratio
of DRV to unit hydrograph volume is inded 0.8 (126/157-5: 0.8). Finally, it is con-
firmed that the unit hydrograph duration (2 h) is an appropriate percentage (17 perent)
of the lag time (12 h).
Synthetic unit hydrograph methods usually relate time base to catchment lag. In
turn, catchment lag is related to the timing response characteristics of the catchment,
including catchment shape, length, and slope. Therefore, catchment lag is a funda-
mental parameter in synthetic unit hydrograph determinations.
' Several methods are available for the calculation of synthetic unit hydrographs.
Two widely used methods, the Snyder and the Soil Conservation Service methods, are
described here. The Clark method, also widely used, is based on catchment routing
techniques; therefore, it is described in Chapter 10.

Developmeni ol Unit Hydrographs: lndirect Method Snyder's Synthelic Unit Hydrograph

In the absence of rainfall-runoff data, unit hydrographs can be derived by synthetic In 1938, Snyder [17] introduced the concept of synthetic unit hydrograph. The analy-
means. A synthetic unit hydrograph is a unit hydrograph derived following an estab-
sis of a large number of hydrographs from catchments in the Appalachian region led
lished formula, without the need for rainfall-runoff data analysis.
to the following formula for lag:
The development of synthetic unit hydrographs is based on the following princi
ple: Since the volume under the hydrograph is known (volume is equal to catchment tt: C,(LL"P'3 (s-1e)
area multiplied by 1 unit of runoff depth), the peak discharge can be calculated by
in which tr catchment or basin lag in hours, Z : length along the mainstream from
:
assuming a certain unit hydrograph shape. For instance, if a triangular shape is as-
outlet to divide, I. : length along the mainstream fiom outlet to point closest to
sumed (Fig. 5-9), the volume is equal to:
catchment centroid, and C, : a coefficient accounting for catchment gradient and
associated catchment storage. With distances L and L" in kilometers, Snyder gave
,:o{":/x(1) (s-r7)
values of C1 varying in the range 1.35 to 1.65, with a mean of 1.5. With distances I
and I" in miles, the corresponding range of C, is 1.8 to 2.2, vith a mean of 2.
in which V : volume under the triangular unit hydrograph; Q, : peak flow; Tr, : Snyder's formula for peak flow is:
time base of the triangular unit hydrograph; z4 : catchment area; and (1) = one unit
C.A
of runoff depth. From Eq. 5-17:
ar:-T (s-20)

which when compared with Eq. 5-18 reveals that

2
Co -- T, (s-21)

t1

is an empirical coefficient relating triangular time base to lag. Snyder gave values of
C, in the range 0.56 to 0.69, which are associated with 761/tlratiosinthe range 3.57 to
c 2.90. The lower the value of C, (i.e., the lower the peak flow), the greater the value of
i- 76,/t1 and the greater the capability for catchment storage.
In SI units, Snyder's peak flow formula is:

nr: "Y'n (5-22)

in which Qp : unit hydrograph peak flow corresponding to I cm of effective rainfall,

in cubic meters per second; r{ = catchment area, in square kilometers; and tt : lag,
IIgurc 5-9 Triangulat urit hydrograph. in hours. In U.S. customary units, Snyder's peak flow formula is

174 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.2 Unit Hydrograph Techniques 1f5
 &
::1.'j:'

645CeA (s-23)
Q,: t1

in which Q, : unit hydrograph peak flow corresponding to I in. of effective rainfall in

cubic feet per second; -4 : catchment atea in square miles; and tt: lag in hours'
In Snyder's method, the unit hydrograph duration is a linear function of lag:
t,: * tt (s-24)

in which t. : unit hydrograph duration.

In applying the procedure to ftood forecasting, Snyder recognized that the actual
duration of the storm is usually greater than the duration calculated by Eq. 5-24.
Therefore, he devised a formula to increase the lag in order to account fot the in- Hoo
creased storm duration. This led to: .2

tn-
tp:t1t , 4
t, (s-2s) o50

in which lrn is the adjusted lag corresponding to a duration tR.

Assuming uniform effective rainfall for simplicity, the unit hydrograph time-to- 340
peak is equal to one-half of the storm duration plus the lag (Fig. 5-7). Therefore, the
time-to-peak in terms of the-lag is:
te: * tt (s-26)

When calculating the actual time base of the unit hydrograph, Snyder included
interflow as part of direct runoff. This results in a longer time base than that corre'
sponding only to direct runoff. Snyder's formula for actual time base is the following:
Tr=72a'3tt (s-27)

in which Tb: Lctual unit hydrograph time base (including interflow) in hours and t1
: lag in houts. For a24-h lag, this formula gives T6/t1 : 6, which is a reasonable
value considering that interflow is being included in the calculation. For smaller lags, Flgurc 5-10 Snyder's distribution chad
'12 24 36 4 60 72 for plotting unit hydrograph ordinatcs
however, Eq. 5-27 gives unrealistically high values of T6/tl.Forinstance, for a 6-h lag, Lag f1 (h) [171.
T5/t,: 15. For midsize catchments, and excluding interflow, expedence has shown
that values o!. T6/to around 5 (corresponding to values of T6/t1 arctnd 5.45) may be
morc realistic. 3'35
w7s - (s-2e)
The Snyder method gives peak flow (Eq. S-22), time-to-peak (Eq. 5-26)' and (q/Aw
time base (Eq. 5-27) of the unit hydrogtaph' These values can be used to sketch the in which : width of unit hydrograph at 50 percent of peak discharge in hours;
unit hydrograph, adheri4g to the requirement that unit hydrograph volume should Wzs : width
'y5oof unit hydrograph at 75;percent of peak discharge in hoursfe, : peak
equal 1 unit of runoff depth. Snyder gue a distribution chart (Fig. 5-f0) to aid in discharge in cubic meters per second; and,4 : catchment aria in square kito-it"t,
plotting the unit hydrograph ordinates, but cautioned against the exclusive reliance on (Fig. 5-rl). These time widths should be proportioned in such a *uy ihut one-third
is
this graph to develop the shape of the unit hydrograph. located before the peak and two-thirds after the peak.
The Snyder method has been extensively used by the U.S. Army Cotps of Engi- Snyder cautioned that lag may tend to vary slightly with frood magnitude and
neers. Their experience has led to two empirical formulas that aid in determining the that synthetic unit hydrograph calculations are likely to be more u""u-t" for fan-
shape of the Snyder unit hydrograph [20]: shaped catchments than for those of highly irregular shape. He recommended that the
5.87 coefficients C, and C, be determined on a regional basis.
w* = (s-28)
Examination of Eq. 5-19 revears that c, is rargery a function of catchment slope,
19sn*n

176 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.2 Unit Hydrograph Techniques
 time base 7'b = Stti theu: ?, = 42.85 h. Using Eq. 5-28, Wso = 30.8 h; using Eq. 5-29,
W75 : 17 .6 h.
-l'he
actual unit hydrograph is drawn primarily on the basis oI eo, tn and
Ir, with thc remaining values used as guidelines.

-l SCS Synthetic Unit Hydrograph

The SCSgrnthetic unit hydrograph is thc dimensionless

V-ict6,r
nless unit hydrograph developed by
v-ocius ii-flie tS'sCE-anda'esciluea in r.lpH?f tI This
al-2-!_f Eit[gqgct"pn-wasdi:.vet-
li r ,ui-).r;,.-r.-a .

;Eq u"*A.r tEa;afi-:fi-,ffi Aree .fuB! u"it nfarog.iftiiTiofrTwide

"ir.b.!;f
.urygglfglg$X$:iaqgd:eqglqltric_lSeqlg$: locations. fne
Thi
H-I
range of catchnrent sizes and geographic metfroO-fias b-erecoil-
corne to b_eI9_og:
mefho-O-fias come

tg9:rtt'" !g!:y{Etiq.9"iq!g_pq:1q! ga I'l',}:g:ef!LFia;EsEFI

ments throughout the world.
meT6oa-aiff,i.s i.om Snyder's in that
it_uses a cqnstant ralio of tr!44gqlar
-f=f,e
bgjglC-tllre-to-gza.!'-!61tn:-.q-
which implies that C, is constant and equat to
liTC
0.6875. Unlike Snyder's method, the SCS method uses a constant ratio of actual time

Figure 5-ll Snydcr's synthetic unit hy- 9 ry.t9_t i ry t. y :!.

-s
T1+ _= + e
q q@. r! $eJ t-.i
- i
n@': r,y-l'scT]? h
drograph widths: We and W6 1201. e!]9_plgriq_-a-' dqlq-c..{1-!yn-c'r.1p-tl.'ha'
I9t4lS!g!91-4chT_".4_!CCl$e_l2lqd.!!g,-qcsmethoduscsthef ollowingtwo
since both length and shape have already been accounted for in L and L,, respectively. methoai:(i)Eecurvilffitj;el!-".9alg_(2)tl-"f it&{y"'';thod-Ttle;;;in't#i
Since Eq. 5-19 was derived empirically, the actual value of C, depends on the units of nie-Iflod-iifiiiiGd-i. *t.fi;i;;iiiiaitnan e [mz:t2000-acl-, ijilibuChtient
iesd
L and L,. Furthermore, Eq.'5-19 implies that when the product of (LL,) is equal to l, e"-id*-nceTuffii;tFti-it;ay beexcriaeai<i-iaiitrmentiilf io, 16 [m2 (400oac) [ltl.
the lag is equal to C,. Since for two catchments of the same size, lag is a function of In the curve number method, the lag is expressed by the following formula:
slope, it is unlikely that C, is a constant. To give an example, an analysis of 20 catch-
ments in the north and middle Atlantic United States [9]
led to: C, -- 0.6/ St/2. A
Lt).8(2540 - 22.86 C N 1o.t
v-- (5-30)
14,104CN0 7 r0 s
similar conclusion is drawn from Eq. 5-16. Therefore, values of C. have regional
meaning, in general being a function of catchment slope. Values of C, quoted in the in which t/: catchment lag in hours; I -lrydrayllp,lpng! (-!,".lgth measured along
literature reflect the natural variability of catchment slopes. principal watercourse) ig_1ng!e_ry; CN : =runoff curve number; and Y : average
The parameter C, is dimensionless and varies within a narrow range, In fact, it catchment land slope in meters_pgr mgter. In U.S. customary units, the formula is:
is readily shown that the maximum possible value of Co is j|. Since triangular time
base cannot be less than twice thc time-to-peak (otherwise, runoff diffusion would be Io.8(1000 -
9CN'10.t
(s-31)
negative, clearly a physical impossibility), it follows that in the limit (i.e., absence of 1900CNo.7 y0.s
runoff diffusion), Tt, : 2to, and, therefore, Cp : t/te : -l|. In practice, triangular
in which t1 is in hours, Z is in feet, and Y is in percent. In the curve number method,
time base is usually about 3 times the time-to-peak. Fot Ts, : 3/r, a similar calcula-
the average catchment land slope is obtained by superimposing a square grid pattern
tion leads to: Co:0.61, which lies approximately in the middle of Snyder's data
over the catchment topographic map, evaluating the maximum land slope at each grid
(0.s6-0.69).
intersection within the catchment, and averaging these values to obtain a representa-
Since C, increases with catchment storage and C, decreases with catchment stor-
tive value of catchment land slope. Equations 5-30 and 5-31 are restricted to curve
age, the ntio C,/Co can be directly related to catchment storage. Furthermore,
numbers in the range 50 to 95.
the reciprocal tatio (C,,/C) can be directly related to extent of urban development,
since the latter usually results in a substantial reduction in the catchment's storage -- ThetAocity;;-hod isised for qatqhrng-qts larggr than 8 km2, or for curve num-
capability [25].
bers ouiiitld6flh-e rarigt_S_O
!;95:'1f," t""i" ,tr""- iiai"iaea irito reaches, and the 2'-y
Ifootr(ofalttinatively the bank-full discharge) is estimated. In certain cases it may be
Exmple 5-3, desirable to use discharges corresponding to l0-y frequencies or more. The mean ve-
Calculate the properties of a Snyder unit hydrograph using the following data: L: 25 locity is computed, and the reach concentration time is calculated by using the reach
:
km, L" = l0 km, u4 400 km2, C, = 1.5, and Ce :0.61. valley length (straight distance). The sum of the concentration time for all reaches is
: the concentration time for the catchment. The lag is estimated as follows:
Using Eq. 5-19, 4 7.86 h. From Eq.5-21, solving for Tu, Tn :25.77 h. Using Eq. 5-
22, Qp :86.3 mr/s. Using Eq. 5-24, r. = 1.43 h. Using Eq. 5-26, ,p : 8.57 h. The time ,,=6
base calculated by Eq. 5-27 is T1 : 95.56 h. This is too high a value. Instead, assume (s-32)
t" l0
178 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5
Sec. 5.2 Unit Hydrograph Techniques r79
 in which t1 : lag and r" : concentration time. SCle4pg31g4g lg5hown thatthis
rat io i s lypi ca I of _11t
a
: i-7e Sglglgfg-llr- i_Zl I .
In the SCS method the ratio of time-to-peak to unit hydrograph duration is
fixed at
tp:S (s-33)
---/'
t,
which is close to Snyder's ratio of 6. Assuming uniform effective rainfall for simplicity,
the time-to-peak is by definition equal to

tl
-l tt (s-34) €
o
o.u
2

Eliminating t, from Eqs. 5-33 and 5-34, leads to o.4

te _10 0.3
(s-3s)
tt9
o.2
Therefore:

t, :2 .al
).. i
(s-36)
0.1

tt9
and
r:r-'.,(i) I (2 )
0

,,:2 t/t e

r. 15 Flgw 5-12 SCS dimensionless unit hydrograph [211.

To derive the SCS unit hydrograph peak flow formula, the ratio Ts,/tn : I is
.peqk fl9w3{ue. The dimensioqless unit hydrograph has a value of TJt^: 5. Vatues
used in Eq. 5-18, leading to of SCS dimensionress unit hydrogiafh-<ir<iinarei at-i;Gil;L a,fn.2"
i/,inri given in
Table 5-6.
a,=iA
' tP
(s-38) The sCS method provides a unit hydrograph shape and therefore Ieads to
more
reproducible results than the Snyder method. However, the ratio 75,/t,
is kept con-
In SI units, the peak flow formula is: stant and equal to t. Also, when_lag is calculated by the velocity method,ihe raiio tVt,
is kept constant and equal to $. Arthough these assumptions are based
oo *id"
e,:
' ''otn
lp
(s-39) range of data, they render the method inflexible in certain cases. "
In particular, values of rbt/tp other than ! may read to other shapes of unit
in which Q, : unit hydrograph peak flow for I cm of effective rainfall in cubic meters hydrographs. Larger values ol Ts,/to(equivalentio lower values of
C, in the Snyder
per second; z4 : catchment area in square kilometers; and f, : time-to-peak in method) imply greater catchment storage. Therefore, since the SCS
rn.thoa ri"", th"
hours. In U.S. customary units, the SCS peak flow formula is: value of Tbt/te, it should be limited to midsize catchments in
the lower end of the
spectrum (2.5-250 km2). The Snyder method, however, by providing
Or:ry (s-40) may be used for larger catchments (from 250 up to SOOO [mr)
ltOf
a v atiable 76,/t",

Efforts to extend the range of appricabirity of the scS method have red
to the
in which Q, : unit hydrograph peak flow for I in. of effective rainfall; A : catch- relaxation of ratio. It can be shown that the ratio p of volume-to-peak (vol_
.the .Z5,/to
ment area in square miles; and te : time-to-peak in hours. ume under the rising limb of the triangular unit hydrograph) to the
ttianiurar unit
Given Eqs. 5-32 and 5-34, the time-to-peak can be readily calculated as follows: hydrograph volume is the reciprocal of the ratio Z.5,/trl For instance, in
tie case of
to: O.5t, + 0.6t". Once t, and Qo have beeq the standard SCS synthetic unit,hydrograph , Tt,/to :'g, and p :
*.'L t"r-. .i p,
Eq. 5-38 can be expressed as follows:

: )pA
to occur in nature than the triangular shape ( Ta,./%
:sl g,.q1_tg__d.,":.g!".p_!!." O,=i; (s-41)

180 Hydrology ol Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.2 Unit Hydrograph Techniques 181
 '*:.i
:t:-24.,

;i

TABLE 5.6 SCS DIMENSIONLESS UNIT HYDROGRAPH ORDINATES TABLE 5.7 UNIT HYDROGRAPH ORDINATES:
EXAMPLE 5,4
t/tr Q/Q,, Q/Q,, Q/Q,, Q/Q,, Q/Q,, (O, = 6.68 m3/s; t, = 2 h)

0.0 0.00 t/tt Q/Q, , (h) O (mJls)

o.2 0.10 t.2 0.91 2.2 0.201 3.2 0.040 4.2 0.0100
0.4 0.31 r.4 0.78 2.4 0.141 3.4 0.029 4.4 0.0070 0.0 0.00 0.0 0.000

0.6 0.66 1.6 0-56 2.6 0.107 3.6 0.021 4.6 0.0030 0.2 0.10 0.4 0.668

0.8 0.93 1.8 0.J9 2.8 0.0'17 3.8 0.015 4.8 0.0015 0.4 0.31 0.8 2.O7t

1.0 1.00 2.0 0.28 3.0 0.055 4.0 0.011 5.0 0.0000 0.6 0.66 r.2 4.4r0
0.8 0.93 1.6 6.212
1.0 1.00 2.0 6.680
1.2 0.93 2.4 6.2t2
which converts the SCS method into a two-parameter model like the Snyder method, t.4 0.78 2.8 5.210
thereby increasing its flexibility. 1.6 0.56 3.2 3.740
1.8 0.39 3.6 2.605
2.0 0.28 4.0 1.870
Other Synthetic Unlt HYdrograPhs 2.2 0.207 4.4 1.382
2.4 0.147 4.8 0.982
The snyder and scs methods base their calculations on the following properties: (l) 2.6 0.t07 5.2 o.7t4
catchment Iag, (2) ratio of triangular time base to time-to-peak, and (3) ratio of actual 2.8 o.07'7 5.6 0.514
time base toiime-to-peak' In addition, the SCS method specifies a gamma function 3.0 0.055 6.0 0.367
3.2 0.040 6.4 0.267
for the shape of the unit hydrograph. Many other synthetic unit hydrographs have 3.4 0.029 6.8 0.t94
been reported in the literature [161. In general, any procedure defining geometric 3.6 o.021 7.2 0.140
propertLs and hydrograph shape can be used to develop a synthetic unit hydrograph' 3.8 0.015 '1.6 0.100
4.0 0.01I 8.0 0.073
Example 5-4. 4.2 0.010 8.4 0.067
Calculate the SCS synthetic unit hydrograph for a 6'42 km2 catchment with the following 4.4 0.007 8.8 0.047
data: Hydraulic length I : 2204 m; runoff curve number CN :
621. average land slope 4.6 0.003 9.2 0.020
Y : 0.02. 4.6 0.00r5 9.6 0.0r0
5.0 0.0000 10.0 0.000
UsingEq. 5-30, l, : 1 8h.'Lherefore: r' : 0'4 h; t,, = 2h; Ir : h
Using Eq 5-39'
10

Qo
jO.OA .r2.. Using Table 5-6, the ordinates of the unit hydrograph
are calculated as
shown in Table 5'7. dure consists of lagging z X-hour unit hydrographs in time, each for an interval equal
to X hours, summing the ordinates of all z hydrographs, and dividing the summed
Change in Unit Hydrograph Duration ordinates by z to obtain the nX-hour unit hydrograph. The volume under X-hour and
nX-hour unit hydrographs is the same. If T6 is the time base of the X-hour hydro-
A unit hydrograph, whether derived by direct or indirect means, is valid only for a graph, the time trase of the nX-hour hydrograph is equal to Tr * fu - l)X. The
given (efiective) itorm duration. ln certain cases, it may be necessary to change the procedure is illustrated by the following example.
iuration of a unit hydrograph. For instance, if an X-hour unit hydtograph is going to
Example 5-5.
be used with a storm hyetogfaph defined at Y-hour intervals, it is necessary to convelt
the X-hour unit hydrograph into a Y-hour unit hydrograph' Use the superposiiion method to calculate the 2-h and 3-h unit hydrographs of a catch-
Ingeneral,onceaunithydrographofagivendurationhasbeenderivedfora ment, based on the following l-h unit hydrograph;
catchme;t, a unit hydrograph of another duration can be calculated' There are two Time(h) 0 1 2 3 4 56 7 I 9 l0 trr2
methods to change the duration of unit hydrographs: (1) the superposition method Ftow (m3/s) 0 100 200 400 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0
and (2) the S-hydiograph method. The superposition method converts an X-hour unit
The calculations are shown in Table 5-8. Column 1 shows the time in hours. Column 2
hydrograph ittio a ,X-hou. unit hydrograph, in which n is an integer' The S-hydro-
shows the ordinates of the 1-h unit hydrograph. Column 3 shows the ordinates of the l-h
g.upt"*etnoa converts an x-hour unit hydrograph into a Y-hour unit hydrograph' unit hydrograph, lagged I h. Column 4 shows the ordinates of the l-h unit hydrograph,
regardless of the ratio between X and Y. .i,r lagged 2 h. Column 5 shows the ordinates of the J-h unit hydrograph, obtained by sum-
.

t ming the ordinates of Cols. 2 and 3 and dividing by 2. Column 6 shows the ordinates of
Superposition Method. This method allows the conversion of an X-hour the 3-h unit hydrogtaph, obtained by summing the ordinates of Cols. 2, 3, and 4, and
unit hydiograph into a zX-hour unit hydrograph, in which z is an integer. The proce- :::. : dividing by 3. The sum of ordinates for l-h, 2-h, and 3-h unit hydrographs is the same:
+..:, '
::&t':

182 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap' 5 $!;r" Sec. 5.2 Unit Hydrograph Techniques 183
*,
&,
 TABLE 5.8 CHANGE IN UNIT HYDROGRAPH DURATION,
SUPERPOSITION METHOD: EXAMPLE 5.5

(l) (2) (J) (6)

Timc I -h Lagged Lagged 2-h 3-h

(h) UH Ih 2h UH UH S-hydrograph

000000
1r00005033
2 200 100 0 r50 100
3 400 200 100 300 233 6
4 800 400 200 600 467
5 700 800 400 750 633
6 600 700 800 650 700
Unit hydrograph
7 500 600 700 550 600
8 400 500 600 450 500
9 300 400 s00 350 400
l0 200 300 400 250 300
Il r00 200 ]00 150 200 Flgurc 5-13 Sketch of unit hydrograph
t2 0 100 200 50 100 Time and corresponding S-hydrograph.
1300100033
1400000
Sum 4300 the 2-h S-hydrograph, obtained by accumulating the ordinates of Col. 2 at intervals of X
: 2 h. Column 4 is the S-hydrograph of Col. 3 lagged I' : 3 h. Column 5 is equal to Col.
3 minus Col. 4. Column 6 is the product of Col. 5 times X/Y : 3. Column 6 is the 3-h
4300 mr/s. The time base of the l-h unit hydrograph is 12 h, whereas the time base of the unit hydrograph. Its sum is 4299 ml/s, the same as the sum ol Col, 2, confirming that is
2-h unit hydrograph is 13 h and the time base of the 3-h unit hydrograph is l4 h. contains a unit volume. The time base of the 2-h unit hydrograph is 13 h, and the time
base of the 3-h unit hydrograph is l4 h. Column 7 is the 3-h S-hydrograph, obtained by
S-Hydrograph Method. The S-hydrograph method allows the conversion of accumulating the ordinates of Col. 6 at intervals of X - 3 h. Column 8 is the S-hydro-
an X-hour unit hydrograph into a Y-hour unit hydrograph, regardless of the ratio graph of Col. 7 lagged Y : 2 h. Column 9 is equal to Col. 7 minus Cot. 8. Column l0 is
the product of Col. 9 times X/Y = f. Column 10 is the 2-h unit hydrograph, and it is
between X and Y, The procedure consists of the following steps:
confirmed to be the same as that of Col. 2.

l. Determine the X-hour S-hydrograph (Fig. 5-13). The X-hour S-hydrograph is Minor errors in unit hydrograph ordinates may often lead to errors (i.e., unde-
derived by accumulating the unit hydrograph ordinates at intervals equal to X, sirable oscillations) in the resulting S-hydrograph. In this case, a certain anount of
2. Lag the X-hour S-hydrograph by a time interval equal to Y hours. smoothing may be required to achieve the typical S-shape (Fig. 5-13).
3. Subtract ordinates of the two previous S-hydrographs.
4. Multiply the resulting hydrograph ordinates by X/Y to obtain the l-hour unit Convolution and Composite Hydrographs
hydrograph.
The procedure to derive a composite or flood hydrograph based on a unit hydrograph,
The volume under X-hour and l/-hour unit hydrographs is the same. If 16 is the
i:,, and an effective stotm hyetograph is referred to as hydrograph convolution. This tech-
t:
time base of the X-hour unit hydrograph, the time base of the Y-hour unit hydrograph nique is based on the principles of linearity and superposition. The volume under the
isTr-X*Y. composite hydrograph is equal to the total volume of the effective rainfall. If f,
is the time base of the X-hour unit hydrograph and the storm consists of n X-hour
Example 5-6.
intervals, the time base of the composite hydrograph is equal to Tt - X * nX :
For the 2-h unit hydrograph calculated in the previous example, derive the 3-h unit hy- Tr * @ - 1) X. The convolution procedure is illustrated by the following example.
drograph by the S-hydrograph method. Use this 3-h unit hydrograph to derive the 2.h
Example 5-7.
unit hydrograph, confirming the applicability of the S-hydrograph method, regardless of
the ratio between X and Y. Assume that the following 1-h unit hydrograph has been derived for a certain watershed:

The calculations are shown in Table 5-9, Column I shows the time in hours. Column 2 Tine (h) 0123456 789
shows the 2-h unit hydrograph ordinates calculated in the previous example. Column 3 is FIow (mr/s) 0 100 200 400 800 600 400 200 r00 0

184 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Unit Hydrograph Techniques 185

 TABLE 5.10 COMPOSITE HYDROGRAPH BY CONVOLUTION
TABLE 5.9 CHANGE IN UNIT HYDROGRAPH DURATION, S.HYDROGBAPH EXAMPLE 5-7
METHOD: EXAMPLE 5-6
(2\ (3) (4) (s) (6) (7') (8) (e)
(2' (3) (4) (7) (8) (e) (l0)

2-h Col.3 Time UH 0.1 X 0.8 x l.6X l.zx 0.9X 0.4X Composite
Time 2-h Lagged 3-h 3-h Lagged Col.7 2-h
(h) (mr/s) UH UH UH UH UH UH Hydrograph
(h) UH SH 3h -Col. 4 UH SH 2h -Col.8 UH

0 000 0 000 00 0 00 0

I 50500 50 33330 33 50
I 100 l0 0 t0
100 2 200 20 80 0 r00
2 150 150 0 r50 r00 100
233 233
0
200
150
3 400 40 160 160 ; 360
3
4
300 150
600 750
0
50
350
700 467 500
33
100 400
300
600
4 800 80 320 320 r20 ; E40

5 7S0 I 100 150 950 633 733 233 500 750

5 600 60 640 640 240 90 0 1670

6 6s0 1400 350 1050 700 933 500 433 650

6 400 40 480 I 280 480 180 40 2500
'l 550 l6s0 750 900 600 ll00 '133 367 550
1 200 20 320 960 960 360 80 27ffi
8 450 1850 1100 750 500 1233 ,93.3 300 450 8 100 l0 160 640 "120 720 160 2410

9 350 2000 1400 600 ,100 1333 I 100 233 3s0

9 00 80 320 480 540 320 1740

l0 250 2100 1650 450 300 1400 1233 167 250

l0 r60 240 360 240 1000

II t50 2150 lE50 300 200 1433 1333 100 150

ll 0 t20 1E0 160 460

t2 s0 2150 2000 150 100 1433 1400 33 50

t2 0 90 80 t'70
l3 0 2150 2100 50 33 1433 1433 00 l3 0 40 40

t4 0 2150 2150 0 0 1433 1433 00 l4 00

2800 14,000
Sum 4300 4300

m : number of nonzero unit hydrograph ordinates, n : number of intervals of effec-

A 6-h storm with a total of 5 cm of effective rainfall covers the entire watershed and is
distributed in time as follows: tive rainfall, and N = number of nonzero storm hydrograph ordinates, the following
relation holds:
Time(h) 0 I 2 3 4 5 6
Effective rainfall (cm) 0.1 0.8 1.6 1.2 0.9 0.4 N:m*n-1 (s-42)

Calculate the composite hydrograph using the convolution technique. Therefore:

The calculations are shown in Table 5-10. Column I shows the time in hours, and Col. 2 m:N-n+l (5-43)
shows the unit hydrograph ordinates in cubic meters per second. Column 3 shows the
product of the first-hour rainfall depth times the unit bydrograph ordinates. Column 4 By elimination and back substitution, the following formula can be developed for the
shows the product of the second-hour rainfall depth times the unit hydrograph ordinates, unit hydrograph ordinates ,i as a function of storm hydrograph ordinates qi and effec-
lagged I h with respect to Col. 3. The computational pattern established by Cols' 3 and 4 tive rainfall depths 4: k-z,n
is the same for Cols, 5-8. Column 9, the sum of Cols' 3 through 8, is the compositc hydro-
graph for the given storm pattern. The sum of Col. 2 is 2800 m3/s and is equivalent to I
Qi - ,D,.,u'r*
(5-44)
cm of net rainfall. The sum of Col. 9 is verified to be 14,000 mr/s, and, therefore, the ",: n
equivalent of 5 cm of effective rainfall. 'fhe time base of the composite hydrograph is ?6
=9+(6-1)xl=14h. for i varying from I to m. In the summation term, j decreases from i - I to I , and &
increases from 2 up to a maximum of n.
Unit Hydrographs lrom Complex Storms This recursive equation allows the direct calculation of a unit hydrograph based
on hydrographs from complex storms. In practice, however, it is not always feasible to
The convolution procedure enables the calculation of a storm hydrograph based on a arrive at a solution because it may be difficult to get a perfect match of storm hydro-
unit hydrograph and a storm hyetograph. In theory, the procedure can be reversed to graph and effective rainfall hyetograph (due to errors in the data). For one thing,
allow the calculation of a unit hydrograph for a given storm hydrograph and storm the measured storm hydrograph would have to be separated into direct runoff and
hyetograph. baseflow before attempting to use Eq. 5-44.
Method ol Forward Substitution. The unit hydrograph can be calculated The uncertainties involved have led to the use of the least square technique. In
directly due to the banded property of the convolution matrix (see Table 5-10). With this technique, rainfall-runoff d ata (r, h) for a number of events are used to develop a

186 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.2 Unit Hydrograph Techniques 187
 ffi
i'
set of average values of a using statistical tools [2]. Other methods to derive unit
hydrographs for complex storms are discussed by Singh [16].
Exenpb 5-E.
Use Eq.5-44 and the storm hydrograph obtained in the previous example to calculate the
unit hydrograph.
SinceN = z:6: m:8. Thefirstordinateisul= q/11 = l0/0.1 : l00.The
13and
second ordinate isu2: (q2 - u1r2)/r1: (100 - t00 X 0.8)/0.1 = 200. The third 3 0.s
ordinate is ut: lqt - (utz'f u1r)l/11 : [360 - (20O X 0.8 + 100 x 1.6)]/0.1 =
c
400. Thefourthordinateis ut= Iqc- (ujrl1' u2r3+ utr)l/rt: [840 - (400 X 0.8 o
+ 200 x 1.6 + 100 x 1.2)l/0.1 = 800. The remaining ordinates are obtained in a
similar way.

5.3 SCS TR.55 METHOD

The TR-55 method is a collection of simplified procedures developed by the USDA

Time (h)
Soil Conservation Service to calculate peak discharges, flood hydrographs, and
stormwater storage volumes in small and midsize urban watersheds [22]. It consists of Figw 5-14 SCS 24-h rainfail distributions [22].
two main procedures: (1) a graphical method, and (2) a tabular method. The graphi-
cal method is used to calculate peak discharges, whereas the tabular method calcu- lines established in NEH-4 [2r], with extensions to account for runoff curve numbers
lates flood hydrographs by using simplified routing procedures. These methods were applicable to urban areas. Iq qddltjg!,f&l5
|nSlgggr pfocg_dgqes lq_determine con-
developed based on information obtained with the SCS TR-20 hydrologic computer centrationti,Tr&!l!9{4t.wil'stIpg_.I-F""i""9i@i6sy.ltelr_djt9y-(2)-$a*{t9f
model (Chapter l3). They are designed to be used in cases where their applicability concentrated flow, and (3) streamflow. shallow concentrated flow is a tvoe of surfaci
can be clearly demonstrated, in lieu of more elaborate techniques, Whereas TR-55 n6*ircfr l-ratGiliiiiiii'liti-een*Itr6seord"e.r""J"no*"na1t."'-rl.i*'-
qo__"_119!_1p99!ry !!"_ e_lqp.!!cel_149ttr-sa-5-t!rn-itcd to caiihmb'ntC'wittr
've!grs!p3-s-tz9,
t-l !-0,g r, L-tey'-':n.tl,,93!filf.esttrqO'is-liglbo TR-55 Procedures
"C'tqa',qA@li'a"-'-lsl!9.-rete"-q]
to catchments with concentratiol ti19g i1 !h-9 ra$-"-.9_,.1
h-..
-_lr.ir;fiiii lo ?rQ
dates back to 1975. The s-ec"ond v'ersion (1986) incor-
"e;;i"" "ttn-Ss
porates the experience gained with the use of the first version. The graphical method
(1986 version) is described in this section. For details on the tabular method, reference method is also
is made to the original source [22].

TR-55 Storm, Catchment and Runoll Parameters thereby re-

ri
Rainfall in TR-55 is described in terms of total rainfall depth and one of four standard the method is
24-h temporal rainfall distributions: type I, type IA, type II, and type III (Fig. 5-14). is strictly applicable to surface flow and should not be used to describe
Type I applies to California (south of the San Francisco Bay area) and Alaska; type IA flow properties in underground conduits.
applies to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California; type III applies to the Gulf
Coast states; and type II applies everyvhere else within the contiguous United States Selection ol Runofl Curve Number
(Fig. 5-15 and Chapter 13).
The duration ofthese rainfall distributions is 24 h. This constant duration was To estimate runoff curve nuqlg$_lqljgb_n_carchmepts,.iDR.S5.definp_s_twq
Epgr.Sf
selected because most rainfall data is reported on a 24-h basis. Rainfall intensities
"W@(?igp9{vi9g"o.ns-"1":vtgr.-qlgrgp9ryisu,,ereq.-"rsd9!ir"-
corresponding to durations shorter than 24 h are contained within the SCS distribu-
tions. For instance, if a lO-y 24-h rainfall distribution is used, the l-h period with the
;
li
_-:.--,
ated, composite curve numbers-areSq!_cg_b!94-Ul3fe!119lg[ry(sel_Sectiol4.I
example ol areal welshlnp l-
for an
=- -'--
mosti
'-TR:ss-na A;pttt atecui are of two types: (l) connected and Con-
5l1) to abstract total rain- ;Das tre-ifi ostn-wnchmnoffllows direciit6to th;
fall depth and calculate runoff depth. The abstraction procedure follows the guide-

188 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.3 SCS TR-55 Method 189
 concentrated flow such as in a glqss.lin1!.*.*E*Utyp"ryeSEC!!rLell!9J4-s*ql9q!_2t9-
tfioillnwfrictr runotr]ffi;im;rnperi;ioulTeat tto*i-over qggltoui t"r o"ii:
c
t o(t,o,
oo.o t@rainage system. "t""
Table 5-2(a) shows urban r-un6ff-cu-rve numbers for different classes of pervious

r
6
o F FFF ateas and connected impervious areas. Tables 5-2(b), (c), and (d) show runoff curve
rFJ numbers for agricultural lands, and arid and semiarid rbngelands.
E o
(E
cc
L
.9
o
N w %
x
$
EiCg* sl!j',l*g_'qli9l1.suablr_5-2jt_the_-rnprytSC!"_erce !plcll!3ges-9t
pe_rylglqgrjg cbssg! ale_olhgf than those shorvoSthe table!.WlenJ|e-impervigrrs.
ar91l j[jnggULeC!Cd,_EiC.5:16 is gse4 in caseslLht& lte_tolallqrpervi_o-us 1rya_.91-

I N

I
cegfulq-percgrt of the carchmen! Figure 5-16 gives a composite CN as a function of
percent of imperv-iousiesi and pervious area CN.
f;gg;e5r{-ts_U!9i19 d9lgqgllg_tl9-S9lqLosrlg,rrg-o$-9uqye number when atl or
portioni of the-imperviouiiei"a.e unconnected anO tttrts!4lig,lAy"l9fi-etffiilO
pefci#G-rhTf.-FiEnre5:f7

pefvious aiea curve number.

gfi*;;ffi;t" **";r.b*
as a function oipercentof
ImpervioU3n-css-, ratio of unconnected impervious area to total impervious area, and

Travel Time and Concentration Time

I Fog aqy rcach or subreach, u!:!_!ggjt_9:Ug9 g1tr,e:erro-at flaw",Le$t!J9.9f9!9ge

nri;yveliq${f -tnvgI['_p9i11.1[:q"!S.*'A!r!tUtSi!th9_s*u!Lg!?-v9lii&s
throush the individual subreaches.
For overland flow, TR-55 uses the following formula for travel time:
€
8
oo t': 0.007(zI)0
' I
Pf sF- \ u-
qtyliehl, - tlegllt1qp*llllpurcir_:_,1{ryiru-1: ! :_tl91l9gttr, in feet; P2
o

+i.
Ia i;;-
q
li:''
..:,,
F:':
,!:.',

il
h

o
o 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
lmperyious area {%}

Flgurc 5.16 Composite CNas a function of imperyious area percent and peruious area CN [22].

190
Sec. 5.3 SCS TR-55 Method 1gi
 TABLE 5-11 TB-55 MANNING n VALUES FoR OVERLAND
FLOW [22]

Surface Description Manning z

0.5.91
tl.e Smooth surfaces
Fl- (concrete, asphalt, gravel, or bare soil) 0.0u
r.o El E Fallow (no residue) 0.05
ctE Cultivated ground
8lF (residue sv€r less than or equal to 209o) 0.06
5t (residue cover greater than 2090) 0.17
Grass
Range, short prairie 0.15
Dense 0.24
9080706050400102030 ar.

Bermuda 0.43
Composite Clr/ Total impervious area (%) Range 0.13
Woods
Figm 5-U Composite CN as a function of total impefrious area percent, ratio of unconnected Light underbrush 0.40
impetrious area to total imperyious area, and perious area CN 1221. Dense underbrush 0.80

Not€. Dense grass includes weeping lovegrass, bluegrass, buffalo grass,

: 2-y 24-h rainfall depth in inches; and S : average land slope, in feet per foot, In blue gamma grass, native grass mixture, alfalfa, and the like.
SI units, this equation is:
0.0288(nl)o 8
(s-46)
" P'o'5o o
in which I is given in meters; P2, in centimeters; J, in meters per meter; and the
remaining terms are the same as in Eq. 5-45. TR-55 values of Manning n applicable to
overland flow are given in Table 5-11.
O:-":jL!9tl"..._*.!eq$!gSvS_lg0-Q"I!-0-i,n)_l9u.qte_q&Ltn surface flow referred to
"f
i' oif,ji'ii-inib r.o'n
^";to[';n**e",tfletAj["a.-lifii;_92'l.Jb,9=qy-';;3ff-fl"";.rtdiJt
F1g,_l-l-,-8r."1* streamflow, the Manning equation (Eq. 2-65) can be used to calculate
average flow velocities. Values of Manning z applicable to open channel flow are ob-
tained from standard references 12,3,61.
o.l0
TR-55 Graphical Method
c 0-06
ThgJ&lS -grgpllggl_"g9l$_d-,"4"ulates
peak dischars_e_based on."qgugga_99p|9-{ g.nit no
rieat fto*latie-uii{F;[mqEfte peakTd],fift;-rea,;;;-,i;iil;;ii
;:-'r-;
per
:l-- ' '
d"ptli.-ln g 0.04
TR-55, usit-peak-floslis-a.-tuus!s!_9!l!_s9gs9!Lrde!_!im9l2Lr?.!l9jtluit!e!_4b--
.:E@Ltgtels:vl'
straction to total rainfall, and (3) storm type.
=

: peakdischarge i"7JF
Qu: s,AQF (s-47) ,#
in which Qp = unit peak flow in T--r units; ,{ =
catchment areain L2 units; Q : runoff""itr;
depth in Z units; and F : surface storage
correction factor (dimensionless),
To-g:gtle8@1, it is first qgte-ssiry to evaluate the catchment flow
,vpt:'.@9,:Ee"gs. il.'r',.l"J, 2 4 6 r0
Figure 5-lE Average velocities fo. esti.
concentrated flow, or streamflow, The runo{f curve number is determined from either 1 mating travel tinre for shallow concen.
Tffi" Average velocity (ft/s) trated flow [22].

192 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.3 SCS TR-55 Method r93
 (.q99ll-!gi49-st
ecuclcy) isusr{lg1lslg_ryllne tie ra4fat!-d,eplh fqr the total impervious (0.75), and pervious CN(70), the composite curve nunber from F-ig. 5-
fi9te,U:gt
l4-h duration and the chosen f.:qu"1ry, Wirh rlEl4ltr{l l7 is CN : 74.'l'he runoff depth (Eq. 5-9) is Q:3.23 cm. The initial absraction (Eq.
dgpqh .P and the C/r', the
ruiof f dbltfi-f isdff EryincdlElg.gitiaF.is.i.1ffs-8,prl-9.- 5-49) is 1, : 1.78 cm, and the ratio I,/P -- 0.2. From Fig. 5-19(c) (storm type II), con-
---fhE initidl atiitEctiorili cariiit"o centration time 1.5 h, and I,/P = 0.2, the unit peak flow is 250 ftrl
uy ;;;u;i"!=eq, s_q a;d s_z to yield: (s-mi2-in.) or 250 X 0.0043 : 1.075 mr/(s-km2-cn). From Table 5-12, F = 0.87. From
2oo Eq.5-47, with q, : 1.075 mrl(s-km2-cm); ,4 = 4km2; Q: 3.23 and F :0'87, the
t^:
"CN -, (s-48) peak discharge is Q, : 12.63 *:r..
cm1'

in which 1, : initial abstraction, in inches. The equ:valent SI formula is: Eiample 5-10.
Calculate the 25'y peak flow by the TR-55 graphical method using the following data: (l )
508 urban watershed, arca A : 15 mi'?; (2) surface flow is shallow concentrated, paved, hy-
r':a*-5'08 (s-49)
draulic length Z : 34,560 ft; slope 5 : 0.014; (3) 26 percent of the watershed is i-ac
lots, 30 percent impervious, soil group B; (4) 42 percent of the watershed is |-ac lots, with
in which 1, is given in centimeters.
lawns in fair hydrologic condition,36 percent impervious, soil group C; (5) 32 percent of
^ . rtt"q4"fg t!-ofegg-c9!!9.9ti9n laetor
otjlgP91c9!tagg-gjf::4-Td-sy4ryp
{isgb. !4f ae-d fqqqTable5.l2 asa funetion the watershed is |-ac lots, with lawns in good hydrologic condition, 24 percent total im-
ar9.a9,.wr,t-h 9qne94t&t&rt,tirye t", ratio r"/p, pervious, 50 percent (of it) unconnected, soil group C; (6) storm type I, 25-y ninfall P :
and storm type (either I. tA, II, III), Fig. 5_19 ig use! 19 d91e1m!r.1e rhe unit jelk 5 in.;0.2% ponding.
_or
ni.lri-n]E!FC.{p-E-rlttpn"-!-"il-s"gE.Utit"poi*tt.rnt".potationcanbeusedf or
values of I"/P different than those shown in nig. s-tS. For values of From Fig. 5-18, the average velocity along the hydraulic length is 2.4 ftls. Therefore, the
1,,/p outside of the time of concentration is t. : 4 h. For the 26 percent subarea, j-ac lots, 30 percent imper-
range shown in Fig. 5-19, the maximum (or minimum) value should
be used. To ob- vious, B soil, the curve number is obtained directly from Table 5-2(a): CN - 72. For the
t1L4 TnitPeak ftow !4 sqbi-c- trte.$-pqr.9999.4d pq(
lqqal t!fqm9,!99-per centimetei, 42 percent subarea, |-ac lots, 36 percent impervious, C soil, first the pervious CN is
the unitpeak{low v4l_q-e-q g_bE1lq4_tfofn _FrS, 5.t-9 uri mtritipti"A bv 0.0043. obtained from Table 5-2(a) (open space in fair hydrologic condition): CN : 79.'fhen,
Feak dis_
ch-arge iicircutatad by E.i. 5Zil;;;;ai";
"i
;;ii ;""r.ri;;;#;i_";i ;;;, il_ the composite CN is obtained from Fig. 5-16: CN = 86. For the 32 percent subarea, j-ac
off depth, and surface storage correction factor. lots, 24 percent total impervious, 50 percent (of it) unconnected, soil group C, first the
Thq T$;S5graphical method is limited tq runoff pervious CN is obtained from Table 5-2(a) (open space in good hydrologic condition): CIV
.., 9ury9 numbers greate-r than 40,
with concentration time in the rang-e 0.1 tg 10.0!, and surface storag. ur&r
rp."ui = 74. Then, the composite CN is obtained from Fig. 5-17: CN :78. The composite CN
-'veg-errvcs forthethree subareas is: CN : (0.26 x 12) + (0.42 x 86) + (0.32 X 78) = $a. 15g
througho,ui the i-na co""i1ne th;.I ;;;;;-;itt.'-t-bv
!1aCh1_ent lgss runoff depth (Eq. 5-8) 1s Q : 2.9 in. The initial abstraction (Eq. 5-48) is .I" : 6.5 1n.'
then, the ratio I,/P: 0.1. The unit peak flow (Fig. 5-19(a)) is q,, : 90 ft3/(s-mi2-in.).
TABLE 5.12 TR.55 SURFACE
STORAGE COHRECTION FACTOR r. The surface storage correction factor (Table 5-12) is F : 0.97. Finally, the peak flow
122)
(Eq. 5-47) is Qn : 3ggg 1,:rt.

Percentage of Pond
and Swamp Areas Assessment ol TR-55 Graphical Method
0.0 l.00 peak flow'
0.2 0.97 Thg TBJ!*qlry,!li"?l- lqthq4 etqy!9es_peak discharg€ a-s a function of unit
1.0 0.87 ;gtr$-e$-er€;.ir.inoTiOeilt[,-andrtjrfd-aF-cte.raE6-ig.tric-tig-q{-a!tb--r.:'The irnit-peak
3.0 0.75 rio* is a function of concentratiol,ljng,.-a-b.s-tlasl-is\ pqr-m9I".1.=1.q1!-gna- i[Q,fry.!v-p9.-
-
5.0 0.72 Tfi;;ffiff A;p!' i: geptlr.aard r-q4qff,i-u-t{ qC-qqS!'---
"j"-r'-"liq!L"r@iilualatt fgl u_q!l lglgrl
Nole.. pond and swamp areas should be spread
throughout the catchment.
-l;_Ei TElf B.r4sh-iga!-np-tbqd,- c-o-!-c-cu!{ello} lr-Ite .eseolltll
concentiation and runoff diffusion_. Fqo-!q-!!g.5:.19,-i!!;,.-"-U tbaf !lrt-iQe-g! -tlory 9C-
.ri^.r *itt' Ci,""""ti.tt- ,'nC.'Itptyilg-t$t t!: lgry9!-thg=concgt llqllgl-q'ler !t':
Exarnple 5-9.
cger@trnlqsqi jtoi6ql!.r'{seit_r!;_y_+jei1*tis.
Calculate the l0-y peak flow.by the TR-55 graphical method using the following
data: The parameter: !"/!
i'_!"1?!".! 19_J-h_" 9ut:!T9l!ls 1bst1q9!iv-e _prop9{i-99.-!hg
catchment area 4 km2; total impervious area 0.g km2; unconnected impervious
km2; pe.uious area curve number CN = 70; storm type II; concentration
area 0.6 Brsglcr-Thcciwe:Lu:nuer, thcJ-e;!-s. t\e r-ilyp.9!_!",/! lli
!!e C-r9?t9r Jh9.-qli!-pea\.
time 1.S h; l0-y flow. The surface storage correction factor Freduces the peak discharge_!o 1c99:ultt
rainfall P : 9 cm; percentage of pond and swamp ireas, I. : I percent. rE@Glqlllrelt lifiu-5iqr," se-u' ,!v"-$r@di-!tb"t1c9J-e4i!,i.9i tv:pr".tq{19w 19-tpt
since there are unconnected impervious areas and the total impervious area
amounts to "@:ft ,cescrqpb&d'erellgtql&ll"s' 4Eqilgil'
less than 30 percent of the catchment, Fig. 5-17 is used to
calculate the composite curve type is accounted for by-the four standard t!!:mpo!al stor{n distribgtions-.-
SCS Th_ere-
number. With total imperuious area (20 percent), ratio of unconnected impervious
to fore, ISET-R.55 graphical meltr-ad-4gleunls-for.hydrslog!! 3b!]!Ijlcf.ion, runoff concen-
194 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.3 SCS TR-55 Method 195
 800

600
500
300 E 400
'i
i
L
E 300
! 2oo

.2 o
: 100
l
:80 80
l
60 60
50
0.1 o.4 0.6 0.8 1 2
Timeof concentration t {h)

tcl
Time of concentration t (h)

(a) 700
600

500

4tn
i

L
i soo

E
i roo
o" 200

i80
I
q E

:uo .3 roo
o
t
) 80
l
60
50
0.1 o.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 810
Time of concentration l" (h)
0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2
(dt
Time of concentration t (h)

(b)
Figurc 5-19 Unit peak discharge in TR-55 graphical method: (a) SCS type I rainfall distribution; (b) SCS
type IA rainfall distribution; (c) SCS type II rain{all distribution; (d) SCS type llI rainfall distribution [22].

Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Sec. 5.3 SCS TR-55 Method 197
 1fe!9,!-aqq--d!tfus-i-en* geograplica-l lp-.eationand-lype of storm, and the additional 12. Wltat is the difference between superposition and S-hydrograph methods to change unit
surface storage of low-relief catchments. hydrograph duration? In developing S-hydrographs, why are the ordinates summed up
- Ttie*:8::s-.31aplUge! ry9t!-.4,_seq_he so$iae!_Ld,4t erlg1_sisq of the rational
method to midsize catchmetq:-Ttr9.!t4!p9a!fl-otv-uryd itl!!fper.?phi"Cl_!r,ettr6O is
only at intervals equal to the unit hydrograph duration?
13, What is hydrograph convolution? What assumptions are crucial to the convolution proce-
'.ilii-iefiqCsnespj--Lathe-uinoff"cdffiiiroj-ofrU._iiri.",n"Lsr"1'h;. H;;"".r.Giteg,. dure?
latter, the TR:!5,g3pbl-.el ngefhod includesr.urolf.cu1 ,numler iind!".rtg,= 14. What is an unconnected impervious area in the TR-55 methodology? What is unit peak
rypJ ina
ir.Spptiqglhtg_ midsize c;rt9[pqq4t_s with concenlration times o{ gp
!o lp fr,_ flow?
T!tq_g-{'-il y-Algp_1,-o.l q4lgh_t1-Cgt q-e_?rlttr-rg"fI_dgpll., 1ld conctjriiiaiiiin tiie can be i5. Given the similarities between the TR-55 graphical method ind the rational method, why is
uqe_{ lo_ prqvl{e_ s s-olryegsgll qglyq"_'tTR:15 srpp_fidj,i;lhba a4i1 thei;ttonal
1_h-e the former based on runoff depth while the latter is based on rainfall intensity?
r1e!h-qd.-Iq,L!!g;tret9' a!!slng,L9a!91r.!nqg! eree pf 1 sli, G4Qle), of cJ4lentra-
_'t11119
tionj.h,"andequgsg.o-odingraln all inlcosity1jo.l]r,_and.runoft_e-qe,-f.f-Lq!9lt C_; 0.9S
(the- mavimum Estjp3b&Ja!u*C). PROBLEMS
4 _S49q!A1191"._by--E:qr_a:1.glyql- a peak discharge of
Qo_= 613 ftrl-s.
A calculation with the TBj_S.Cr_lp!lgll-rygllto9rFilg-!h-e.!owe_qJ po91b.l.g..yalue 5-1. An agricultural watershed has the following hydrologic characteristics: (1) a subarea in
of 3Q9iiglii.oqfo1.9ggn"Ji!on pu1po191 (I,tp -- 0. l0), gives the following: For storm fallow, with bare soil, soil group B, covering 3ZTo; and (2) a subarea planted with row
type I, 200_ rt]lq;.typg 108 ririi; rype It, J60 fCli; and type ril, 295 ftr/s. Trhis
ll, crops, contoured and terraced, in good hydrologic condition, soil group C, covering 6890.
ele]1lplg-$erys-fhs esestpf,icEqurif-5ta411rrt Ur-etn-s.n Determine the runoff Q, in centimeters, for a 10.5-cm rainfall. Assume an AMC II ante-
p6_[-dis-
-thli4!cu_El-ed- cedent moisture condition.
"!1-1-e-e-. Il.4lS9--shg-\y! -thslLhs
T8:!!-C'_epb:Cal ne!bs'.d-.e9!9le.tly gives lowe_r peak
flSys_ the.u. th.e- ret!.q-n-4!.-SlelhSd,. Ihis_ gtqJ to *,i'ti"i
that the Tir-Ss 5-2. A rural watershed has the lollowing hydrologic characteristics: (1) a pasture area, in fair
-be- s!!!ib-lt19_q
hydrologic condition, soil group B, covering 22Vo: (2'l a meadow, soil group B, covering
method accounts for runoff .!-i_ffu_9!on in a somewhat b;iGi;;y
ihari thej raiional
55%; and (3) woods, poor hydrologic condition, soil group B-C, covering 23Vo. Dete*
.gJl"g, [Syi'-.ajt 99"gifa ,l'_"ii'n p-eak di{eh4rgdp_J;i;i.; byii; t*"
'r'gyra. mine the runoff Q, in centimeters, for a 12-cm rainfall. Assume an AMC III antecedent
melfods_g1g no_r_slr'_ct+ S_ofnp.el9!!er :!ng.. l!. yq1r9 oj I"/p = 0.tnoes nci{ corie_ moisture condition.
spond exactly to C = 0.95.
5-3. Rain falls on a 9.5-ha urban catchment with an average intensity of 2.1 cm,/h and dura-
tion of 3 h. The catchment is divided into (1) business district (with 857o impervious
area), soil group C, covering 20Yo; and (2) residential district, with t-ac average lot size
QUESTIONS (with 30% impervious area), soil group C. Determine the total runoff volume, in cubic
meters, assuming an AMC II antecedent moisture condition.
l. what catchment properties are used in estimating a runoff curve number? what signifi- 5-4. Rain falls on a 950-ha catchment in a semiarid region. The vegetation is desert shrub in
cant rainfall characteristic is absent from the SCS runoff curve number method?
fair hydrologic condition. The soils ate: l5o/o soil group A; 55% soil group B, and 30%
2. what is the antecedent moisture condition in the runoff curve numbcr method? How is it soil group C. Calculate the runoff Q, in centimeters, caused by a 15-cm storm on a wet
estimated? antecedent moisture condition. Assume that field data support the use of an initial ab-
3. what is hydrologic condition in the runoff curve number method? How is it estimated? straction parameter K : 0.3.
4. Describe the procedure to estimate runoff curve numbers from measured data. what level 5-5, The hydrologic response of a certain l0-mi2 agricultural watershed can be modeled as a
of antecedent moisture condition will cause the greatest runoff? Why? triangular-shaped hydrograph, with peak flow and time base defining the triangle. Five
5. What is a unit hydrograph? What does the word unit refer to? events encompassing a wide range of antecedent nroisture conditions are selected lbr
6. Discuss the concepts of linearity and superposition in analysis. Rainfall-runoff data for these five events are as folkrws:
connection with unit hydrograph
theory,
Rainfall P Peak flow Q, Time base
7. what is catchment lag? why is it important in connection with the calculation of synthctic (in.) (ft3ls) (h)
unit hydrographs?
8. fn the Snyder method 7.05 3100 t2
of synthetic unit hydrographs, what do the parameters C, and Cn
describe?
6.41 3700 l4
5. r3 4100 l3
9. Compare lag, time-to-peak, time base, and unit hydrograph duration in the Snyder and s.82 4500 t2
SCS synthetic unit hydrograph methods.
6.77 3500 14
10. what is the shape of the triangle used to develop the peak flow formula in the SCS synthetic
unit hydrograph method? What value of Snyder's Cn matches the SCS unit hydrograph?
Determine a value of AMC Il runoff curve number based on the above data.
ll. What elements are needed to properly define a synthetic unit hydrograph?
5-6. The following rainfall-runoff data were measured in a certain watershed:

198 Hydrology of Midsize Catchments Chap. 5 Problems 199

 Rainfall P Runoff Q 5-15. Calculate an SCS synthetic unit hydrograph for the following data: catchment area A :
(cm) (cm) 7.2 km2; runoff curve number CN : 76; hydraulic length I : 3.8 km; and average land
slope )z: 0.012.
15.2 t2.3
10.1 5-16. Calculate anSCS synthetic unit hydrograph for the following data: catchment area (natu-
10.5
4.3 ral catchment) 4 : 48 km2; runoff curve number CN : 80; hydraulic length I : 9 km;
7.2
8.4 <t and mean velocity along hydraulic length V: 0.25 m/s-
11.9 9.1 5:17. Calculate the peak flow of a triangular SI unit hydrograph (1 cm of runoff) having a
volume-to-peak to unit-volume ratio p : S. Assume basin area ,4 : 100 km2, and time-
moisture conditions' esti- to-peak rp:6h.
Assuming that the data encompass a wide range of antecedent
mate the AMC II runoff curve number' 5-18. Given the following l-h uritt hydrograph for
a certain catchment, find the 2-h unit hydro-
storm: graph using (a) the superposition method and (b) the S-hydrograph method.
5-7. The following rainfall distribution was observed during a 6-h
Time(h) 0 2 4 6 Time (h) 0 I 2 3 4 56
Intensity (mm/h) 10 15 12 Flow (ft3/s) 0 500 1000 750 500 250 0
The runoff cuwe number is CN = 76' Calculate the d-index' 5-19. Given the following 3-h unit hydrograph for
a certain catchment, find the 6-h unit hydro-
12-h stotm: graph using (a) the superposition method and (b) the S-hydrograph method.
5-8. The following rainfall distribution was observed during a
Time(h) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Time (h) 03 6 9t215182124
Intensity (mm/h) 5 10 13 18 3 10 Flow (mr,/s) 051530252010 5 0

The runoff curye number is CN : 86' Calculate the {-index' 5-20. Given the following 2-h unit hydrograph for a certain catchment, find the 3-h unit hydro-
5-9. The following rainfall diStribution was observed during a 6-h storm: graph. Using this 3-h unit hydrograph, calculate the 1-h unit hydrograph.

Time(h) 0 2 4 6 Time (h) 01234567

Intensity (mm/h) 18 24 l2 Flow (ml/s) 0 2s 75 87.s 62.5 37.5 t2.5 0

The d-index is 10 mm/h. Calculate the runoff curve number' 5-21. Given the following 4-h unit hydrograph for a certain catchment, find the 6-h unit hytlnr"
24-h storm:
5-10. The following rainfall distribution was observed during a graph. Using this 6-h unit hydrograph, calculate the 4-h unit hydrograph, verifying llrr
Time(h) 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 computations-
Intensity
15536
Time (h) 0 2 4 6 81012141618202224
1m-Utt)5810 12 Flow (m3ls) 0 l0 30 60 r00 90 80 70 50 40 20 r0 ()

The d-index is 4 mm/h' Calculate the runoff curve number'

5-22. Given the following 4-h unit hydrograph for a certain catchment: (a) Find tlro h'h
5-ll. Aunithydrographistobedevelopedfora296-km2catchmentwitha4-hT2lag'Al-h unit hydrograph; (b) using the 6-h unit hydrograph, calculate the 8-h unit hydrr'
rainfall has produced the following runoff data: graph; (c) using the 8-h unit hydrograph, calculate the 4-h unit hydrograph, vcrlfylng lhc
Time (h) 0123456789101112 computations.
Flow (m3ls) r24812876s4 3 21 Time (h) 0 2 4 6 8r01214161820
Based on this data, develop a 1-h unit hydrograph for this catchment'
Assume baseflow is Flow (mrls) 01025405040302010 5 0
t ml/s.
with a l2-h T2 lag' A 3-h 5-23. The following 2-h unit hydrograph has been developed for a certain catchmcttl:
5-12. A unit hydrograph is to be developed for a 190'8-km2 catchment
rain{all has produced the following runoff data: Time (h) 024681012
Time(h) 0 3 6 9 12 15 tg 21 24 Flow (ft3/s) 0 100 200 150 100 50 0

Flow (m3/s) l5 20 55 80 60 48 32 20 15
A 6-h storm covers the entire catchment and is distributed in time as follows:
Assume baseflow is
Based on this data, develop a 3-h unit hydrograph for this catchment' Time(h) 0 2 4 6
15 mr/s. Total rainfall (in./h) 1.0 1.5 0.5
for the following data:
5-13. Calculate a set of Snyder synthetic unit hydrograph parameters
catchment arca A :480 km2; I : 28 km; I"
: 16 km; C,: l'45; and CP: 0'61' Calculate the conposite hydrograph for the effective storm pattern, assuming a runoff
for the following data: curoe number CN: 80.
5-14. Calculate a set of Snyder synthetic unit hydrograph parameters
catchment area A:950 km'z; Z : 4E km; L":2lkm; C, -- 1'65; and Ce : 0'57' 5-24. The following 3-h unit hydrograph has been developed for a certain catchment:

200 Hydrology o{ Midsize Catchments Chap' 5 Problems 201

 Time (h) 0 3 6 91215182124 5-32. Use the TR-55 graphical method to compute the peak discharge for a 250-ac watershed,
Flow (mrls) 0r020302s20Is10 0 with 25-y 24-h rainfall P : 6 in., time of concentration l" : I .53 h, runoff curve number
CN = 75, and Type II rainfall.
A 12-h storm covers the entire catchment and is distributed in time as follows:
5-33. Use the TR-S5 graphical method to calculate the peak discharge for a 960-ha catchment,
Time (h) 0 3 6912 with 50-y 24-h rainfall P = 10.5 cm, time of concentration l. : 3.5 h, runolf curve
Total rainfall (mm,/h) 6 l0 182 number CN - 79, type I rainfall, and I 70 pond and swamp areas.
Calculate the composite hydrograph for the effective storm pattern, assuming a runoff 5-34. Calculate the 25-y peak flow by the TR-55 graphical mcthod for the following watershed
curve number Cll = 80. data: (l) urban watershed, atea A = 9.5 km2; (2) surface flow is shallow concentrated,
paved; hydraulic I englt L = 3850 m; slope J = 0.01 ; (3) 427o of watershed is j-ac lots,
5-25. A certain basin has the lbllowing 2-h unit hydrograph: lawns with 859o grass cover, 347o total impervious, soil group C; (4) 58% of the waler-
Time(h) 0 I 2 3 4 5 6 't 8 9 l0 ll 12 13 shed is j-ac lots, lawns with 95% grass cover, 24To total impervious, 25% of il uncon-
Ftow (mr/s) 0 5 15 30 60 75 65 55 45 35 25 15 5 0 nected, soil group C; (5) Pacific Northwest region, 25-y 24-h rainfall P : l0 cm; 1%
ponding.
Calculate the flood hydrograph for the following ef{ective rainfall hyetograph:
5-35. Solve problem 5-32 using the computer program EH500 included in Appendix D.
Time(h) 0 3 6 5-36, Solve problem 5-33 using the computer program EH500 included in Appendix D.
Eftective rainfall (cmlh) 1.0 2.0

5-26. Given the following flood hydrograph and effective storm pattern, calculate the unit hy-
drograph ordinates by the method of forward substitution.
Time(h) 0 I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 l0 1l l2
Flow (mrls) 0 5 18 46 74 93 91 73 47 23 9 2 0 REFEBENCES
'I'imc(h) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Hftective rainfall (cm/h) 0.5 0.8 1.0 0.'1 0.5 0.2 l Amorocho,J.,andG.T.Orlob.(1961)."NonlinearAnalysisofHydrologicSystems,"Uni-
versity of California Water Resources Cenler, Contribulion No. 40, November.
5-27. Using TR-55 procedures, calculate the time of concentration for a watershed having the 2. Barnes, H. H. Jr. (1967). "Roughness Characteristics of Natural Channels," U.S. Geologi-
following characteristics: (l) overland flow, dense grass, length I - 100 ft, slope S = cal Survey Water Supply Paper No. 1849.
0.01, 2-y 24-h rainfall Pr: 3.6 in.; (2) shallow concentrated flow, unpaved, length I : 3. Chow, V. T. (1959)- Open-Channel Hydrsulics. New York: McGraw-Hill.
1400 ft, slope S - 0.01; ard (3) streamflow, Manning r : 0.05, flow area A : 27 ftl, 4. Diskin, M. H. (1964). "A Basic Study of the Nonlinearity of Rainfall-Runoff Processes in
wetted perimeter P : 28.2 ft, slope .l : 0.005, length I : 7300 ft. Watersheds," Ph.D. Diss., University of lllinois, Urbana.
5-28, Using TR-55 procedures, calculate the tim€ of concentration for a watershed having the 5. Freeze, R. A., and J. A. Cherry. (1979), Groundwaler, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-
following characteristics: ( l) overland flow, bermuda grass, length I : 50 m, slope S : Hall.
0.02,2-y 24-h rainf all P2 -- 9 cm; and (2) streamflow, Manning n : 0.05, flow area ,4 - 6. French, R. H. (1986). Open-Channel Hydrsulics. New York: McGraw-Hill.
4.05 m2, wetted perimeter P = 8.1 m, slope.t : 0.01, length Z : 465 m. 7. Hall, M. J. (1984). Urban Hydrology. London: Elsevier Applied Science Publishers.
5-29. A 250-ac watershed has the following hydrologic soil-cover compl€xes: (l) soil group B, 8- Hawkins, R. H., A. T. Hjelmfelt, and A. W. Zevenbergen. (1985)..1'Runoff Probability,
75 ac, urban, |-ac lots with lawns in good hydrologic condition, 257o connected impervi- Storm Depth, and Curve Numbers," Journal of the Iruigatiort and Drainage Division,
ous; (2) soil group C, 100 ac, urban, j-ac lots with lawns in good hydrologic condition, ASCE, Vol. 1ll, No.4, December, pp.330-340.
25% connected impervious; and (3) soil group C, 75 ac, open space in good condition. 9. Hjelmfelt, A. T., K. A. Kramer, and R. E. Burwell. (1981). "Curve Numbers as Random
I)etermine the composite rutroff curve number. Variabfes," Proceedings, lnternutionul Symposium on RuinJull-RunolJ Modeting, Missis-
sippi State University, (also Water Resources Publications, Littleton, Colorado).
5-30. A 120-ha watershed has the following hydrologic soil-cover complexes: (1) soil group B,
10. Linsley,R.K.,M.A.Kohler,andJ.L.H.Paulhus.(1962).HydrologyJorEngiueers,3d.
40 ha, urban, j-ac lots with lawns in good hydrologic condition, 357o connected impervi-
ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
ous; (2) soil group C, 55 ha, urban, ]-ac lots with lawns in good hydrologic condition,
11. McCuen,R.H.,W.J.Rawls,andS.L.Wong.(1984)."SCSUrbanPeakFlowMethods,"
35o/o connected impervious; and (3) soil group C,25 ha, open space in fair condition.
Journal oJ Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE, Vot. 110, No. 3, March, pp. 290-299,
Determine the composite runoff curve number.
12. Newton, D. J., and J. W. Vineyard. (1967). "Computer'Determined Unit Hydrographs
5-31. A 90-ha watershed has the following hydrologic soil-cover complexes: (l ) soil group C, 18 from Floods,"JozrnaloJthe Hydraulics Divisiott, ASCE, Vol.93, No. HY5, pp'219-236'
ha, urban, l/3-ac lots with lawns in good hydrologic condition, 30% connected impervi- : 13. Rallison, R.E., and R. G. Cronshey. (1979). Discussion of "Runoff Curve Numbers with
ous; (2) soil group D, 42 ha, urban, ]-ac lots with lawns in good hydrologic condition, Varying Soil Moisture,"Joarnal oJ the Irrigotion und Drainuge Divlsrcn, ASCE, Vol. 105,
40% connected impervious; and (3) soil group D, 30 ha, urban, |-ac lots with lawns in ! No. lR4, pp.439-441.
fair hydrologic condition, 3090 total impervious, 2590 of it unconnected impervious area. ,|
14. Sherman, L. K. (1932). "Streamflow from Rainfall by Unit-Graph Method," Engineering
;
Determine the composite tunoff curve number. News-Record, Vol. 108, April 7, pp.501-505.

202 Hydrology ol Midsize Catchments Chap.5 References 203