Experiment # 01: Impact of Rainfall Intensity and Duration on the Hydrologic

Response of a Catchment
Introduction:
The study of water distribution and its impact on various surfaces has a paramount importance in the
engineering applications. In this experiment We observe the behavior of the water sprinkling nozzle simulating
rainfall over the gravel tray step up by varying the rainfall intensity we can we can observe and analyses the
resulting water flow and drainage patterns.

Procedure and Experimental Setup:

• Open both sprinklers' ball valves, and make sure that the gravel trap is configured to pass water
through the fine A strainer by properly adjusting the valve.

• Set the timer in accordance with Table 1. After that, confirm that the measuring pointer is in its starting
position and that the measuring vessels are completely dry. before each measuring vessel's ball valve is
closed.

• Start the test, then modify the flow in accordance with Table 2 using a stop watch and flow valve. Flow
rate is what you should aim for, but don't worry about the precise number; just keep track of what
happens.

• For the second set of precipitation intensity values in Table 3, repeat the experiment.

Observations and Calculations:

General Dataset:

General Data

Catchment Side 1 (cm) 120

Catchment Side 2 (cm) 60
Gravel Bed Thickness (cm) 9
Sediment Grain Size (mm) 1 to 3
Vessel Side 1 (cm) 20
Vessel Side 2 (cm) 3
Table 1: Strom 1:
 Rainfall Duration (MM:SS) 1:15 Delay Time (seconds) 45
Measuring Time (seconds) 14

Time Period Flow

(MM:SS) (l/hr)
00:00 - 00:15 230
00:15 - 00:30 240
00:30 - 00:45 250
00:45 - 01:00 240
01:00 - 01:15 230

Vessel Depth
(mm)
Vessel 1 40
Vessel 2 75
Vessel 3 93
Vessel 4 94
Vessel 5 56
Vessel 6 41
Vessel 7 30
Vessel 8 19
Vessel 9 19
Vessel 10 15
Vessel 11 15
Vessel 12 15
Vessel 13 15
Vessel 14 15
Vessel 15 15
Vessel 16 15

Table 2: Strom 2

Rainfall Duration (MM:SS) 4:00 Delay Time (seconds) 70

Measuring Time (seconds) 12

Time Period Flow

(MM:SS) (l/hr)
00:00 - 00:30 220
00:30 - 01:00 230
01:00 - 01:30 240
01:30 - 02:00 250
 02:00 - 02:30 250
02:30 - 03:00 240
03:00 - 03:30 230
03:30 - 04:00 220

Vessel Depth
(mm)
Vessel 1 30
Vessel 2 15
Vessel 3 24
Vessel 4 27
Vessel 5 46
Vessel 6 61
Vessel 7 77
Vessel 8 90
Vessel 9 99
Vessel 10 106
Vessel 11 109
Vessel 12 115
Vessel 13 135
Vessel 14 116
Vessel 15 95
Vessel 16 57
Question: Discuss any variations from the desired input flow rates (rainfall) and any additional
approximations or measurement errors.

Answer:

The rainfall intensity might not be constant over the 1:15 durations. As there are fluctuations in the intensity
over whole period of time. The measurement time period was very short about the 14 seconds this might not
capture the full dynamics of the flow rates accurately, especially in a case of rapid change occurrence. Any
deviation and error may also arise from the instrument calibration too.

Graphs:

Strom 1:
 Mass curve of rainfall
700

600

500
Cumm Rainfall
400

300

200

100

0
0 50 100 150 200 250

Time (sec)

Hytograph
450
400
350
Rainfall intensity

300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0 14 28 42 56 70 84 98 112 126 140 154 168 182 196 210 224

Time (sec)

Hydrograph
300

250
Flow rate(l/hr)

200

150

100

50

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (sec)

Strom 2:
 Hytograph
700
600

Rainfall intensity
500
400
300
200
100
0
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 110 121 132 143 154 165 176

Time (sec)

Hydrograph
300

250
Flowrate(l/hr)

200

150

100

50

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Time (sec)

Question: Difference between two hydrographs?

Answer:

 The Hydrograph of storm 2 shows greater variability and flow rate fluctuations, Hydrograph 1 shows a
steadier flow.
 The Hydrograph of storm 2 has a sustained plateau at the same peak level after an initial rise to a peak
of 250 units, Hydrograph 1 has a single peak somewhere around 250 units.
 The Hydrograph of storm 1 lacks a clear trend, Hydrograph 2 exhibits a rising trend at first, followed by
a stable plateau and a slow decline.
 In the beginning, Hydrograph 2 seems more susceptible to short-term hydrological changes.
Question: Calculate the Experiment 1 Storm 2 Unit Hydrograph. Remember that the Unit of Hydrograph is
the immediate runoff hydrograph produced by a single unit of net precipitation that falls across the entire
catchment.

Answer:

Unit Hydrograph strom 2

300

250
Flowrate(l/hr)

200

150

100

50

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Time (sec)
Experiment # 02: Impact of Detention Basins on the Hydrologic Response of a
Catchment

Introduction:
The detention basin are the engineered structures based on managing the stormwater runoff and flood risks.
The study's objective is to investigate how these basins impact flow dynamics, flood mitigation, water quality,
and overall watershed resilience.

Experimental Setup:

• Place two plastic trays in the gravel tub at the shower a nozzle and basin outlet positions that you
desire.

• The timer can be programmed to rain for 4 minutes, delay for 1 minute 10 seconds, and measure for
12 seconds. Close the ball valve on each measuring vessel after making sure the measuring indicator is
in the starting position and all water has been depleted from it.

• Begin the experiment, and, using a stopwatch and a flow valve, change the flow to the levels specified
in Table 4. Flow rate is what you should aim for, but don't worry about the precise number; just keep
track of what happens.

Observations and Calculations:

Experiment 2 Storm

Rainfall Duration (MM:SS) 4:00 Delay Time (seconds) 70

Measuring Time (seconds) 12

Time Period Flow

(MM:SS) (l/hr)
00:00 - 00:30 220
00:30 - 01:00 230
01:00 - 01:30 240
01:30 - 02:00 250
02:00 - 02:30 250
02:30 - 03:00 240
03:00 - 03:30 230
03:30 - 04:00 220
 Vessel Depth
(mm)
Vessel 1 30
Vessel 2 15
Vessel 3 24
Vessel 4 27
Vessel 5 46
Vessel 6 61
Vessel 7 77
Vessel 8 90
Vessel 9 99
Vessel 10 106
Vessel 11 109
Vessel 12 115
Vessel 13 135
Vessel 14 116
Vessel 15 95
Vessel 16 57

Question: Discuss any variations from the desired input flow rates (rainfall) as well as any other
approximations or measurement errors.

Answer:

The rainfall intensity might not be constant over the 4:00 durations. As there are fluctuations in the intensity
over whole period of time. The measurement time period was very short about the 12 seconds this might not
capture the full dynamics of the flow rates accurately, especially in a case of rapid change occurrence. Any
deviation and error may also arise from the instrument calibration too.

Graph:

Strom:

Hytograph
800
700
600
500
Intesity

400
300
200
100
0
12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132 144 156 168 180 192

Time (sec)
 Hydrograph
300

250

Flowrate(l/hr)
200

150

100

50

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Time(sec)

Question: Discuss and provide a qualitative explanation of how the detention basins affected the
hydrograph's volume, shape, time to peak, and maximum discharge. Organize this discussion into bullet
points with brief but thorough text.

Answer:

 Detention basins slow the initial forward by storing excess water, which causes a gradual flow into the
catchment.
 The controlled water release from basins during periods of heavy rainfall lowers flood peaks and
prevents unexpected surges downstream.
 A smoother post-peak decline in flow rates is caused by the delayed outflow from basins, which
reduces the risk of flooding.
 Beyond their peak, basins can sustain lower flow rates, improving the resilience of the watershed and
reducing flooding downstream.

Question: Give the retention basin trays a different location. With the plates in their new location, what
change in storm hydrograph identify would you anticipate?

Answer:

 Delayed effect: Because of the longer travel distance, it is likely that the trays in the new location will
cause a more gradual effect of the flow.
 Smoother Recession: Because the trays have a greater impact on flow regulation over a longer
distance, the hydrograph's post-peak recession may be more fluid.
 Longer Sustained Flow: Placing ours trays downstream may extend sustained lower flow rates,
therefore preventing floods for a longer period of time.
 Reduced Peak effect: Due to the longer travel path, the peak flow reduction may be less significant
than in the previous location.
References:
• Shawn and Smith Impact assessment of rainfall scenarios and land‐use change on ... Available at:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfr3.12164 (Accessed: 07 August 2023).
• Billy Impact assessment of rainfall scenarios and land‐use change on ... Available at:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfr3.12164 (Accessed: 07 August 2023).
• Manfreda, S., Miglino, D. and Albertini, C. (2021) Impact of detention dams on the probability
distribution of floods, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. Available at:
https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/25/4231/2021/ (Accessed: 07 August 2023).
• Rosa, D.W.B. et al. (2020) Assessment of the hydrological response of an urban watershed to rainfall-
runoff events in different land use scenarios – Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, Water Science and
Technology. Available at: https://iwaponline.com/wst/article/81/4/679/73405/Assessment-of-the-
hydrological-response-of-an (Accessed: 07 August 2023).