Urban Hydrology

Effects of Urbanization on Runoff

• Basin characteristics (slope, area, soil and rock

structure, …) affect runoff, so modification of
land surface have varying effects on the runoff
characteristics of a given drainage area.

• Land modification from an undeveloped area to

(1) cropland and (2) urbanized

• Principle effects of urbanization: (1) changing in

peak flow rate; (2) in total runoff, (3) in water
quality, and (4) in reduction in groundwater
recharge
 Peak Flow Methods for Urban Areas
Rational Method: Qp = C I A (Emil Kuichling, 1889)
Qp = Peak runoff rate (cfs)
C = runoff coefficient (dimensionless)
I = average rainfall intensity (in/hr) for a storm with a duration equal to
a critical period of time tc (time of concentration)
A = drainage area (acres, 1 mile2 = 640 acres, 1 acre = 43,560 ft2)
CI = average net rainfall intensity (in/hr) = I – φ (constant loss)

1.0 acre-in/hr = 1.008 ft3/s ~ 1 ft3/s

 Runoff Coefficient
• The runoff coefficient C represents the ratio of runoff to
rainfall.

• C represent the integrated effects of many drainage

basin characteristics.

• Typical C values are given and listed in various design

manuals and textbooks for different land use conditions

• Where watershed is not homogeneous but is

characterized by dispersed areas that can be
characterized by different runoff coefficients, a weighted
runoff coefficient should be determined
Local agency may
set C for different
land use based on
Table 11.3 or other
references
 Determination of Composite Runoff Coefficient

A weighted C value:

C
j =1
j Aj
Cw = n

A j =1
j
Rainfall Intensity and Time of Concentration
 Rainfall Intensity and Time of Concentration

• The methods used to estimate time of

concentration can adversely affect the design
using rational method.

• Estimation of time of concentration requires

significant engineering judgment.

• To produce equilibrium flows, the design

storm used must have a locally derived IDF
curve using a rainfall duration equal to the time
of concentration.
 Example 11.1 (Page 410)
1. Time of
concentration
2. IDF curve
3.The rational
method is used
in the design of
urban storm
drainage system
serving area up
to 600 acres (~<
1 mile2).
4. For area > 1
mile2,
hydrograph
method are
generally
warranted. Figure 11.6 11.1