Hydrology and Water

Resources

Heba Hamad
Checking if a rain gauge record is incorrect
To check the consistency of a set of rainfall data from a
rain gauge, we use the double mass curve method

This method involves comparing the suspect data with

other rain gauge records from several nearby stations

It can be used if there is only one other station nearby,

but is not so accurate.
Double Mass Curve Method
Steps:
Double Mass Curve Example:
Rain gauge networking
Rain gauge networks are used for measuring regional
rainfall. If a river catchment covers a large area, it is
necessary to use several rain gauge to determine the
variation in rainfall across the catchment so that the
amount of water in the area can be accurately
measured.
Rain gauge networking
Having a network of gauges allows you to interpolate

between rain gauges if your project area does not have

a gauge; a network also allows for the continuation of
data collection if one gauge is damaged or a set of
readings are missed.
Rain gauge networking
1. In flat regions of temperate, Mediterranean and tropical
zones:
ideal – 1 station for 600 – 900 km2
acceptable – 1 station for 900 – 3000 km2

2. in mountainous regions of temperate, Mediterranean and

tropical zones:
ideal - 1 station for 100—250 km2
acceptable - 1 station for 250—1000 km2
3. in arid and polar zones: I station for 1500—l0,000 km2
depending on the feasibility.
Mean Precipitation over an area
Mean Precipitation over an area
1 - Arithmetical—Mean Method

P1  P2  ...  Pi  ...Pn 1 N
P
N

N
P
I 1
i
Mean Precipitation over an area
1 - Arithmetical—Mean Method
Mean Precipitation over an area
2 – Theissen Polygons

Select one rain gauge

Draw a line (line #1) from the gauge to each of the nearest
gauges
Find the half way point along the line.
At the half way point draw a new line (line #2) at 90o to
the first line.
Repeat this for each of the #1 lines
Extend the #2 lines outwards until they meet another #2
line.
The #2 lines then define a polygon that surrounds the rain
gauge
Theissen Polygons Example:
Mean Precipitation over an area
Isohyetal map

 P1  P2   P2  P3   Pn 1  Pn 
a1    a2    .....  an 1  
 2   2   2 
P
A
Isohyetal map
Isohyetal Map Example:
Isohyetal Map Example:
Rainfall Representation
Rainfall Hyetograph
Cumulative mass curve
Intensity Duration Frequency (IDF)
Curve