Hidrologiaaplicada Ventechow Mcgrawhill Completoocioso 140605022635 Phpapp02

18/1/2019 EH, Chap.
H, Chap. 02, Reading, Hydrologic Principles, Engineering Hydrology, Principles and Practices, Second Edition, Victor Miguel Ponce, Sa…
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[Precipitación]
[Abstracciones hidrológicas] [Propiedades de la cuenca] [Escurrimiento] [Preguntas] [Problemas] [Referencias] •
CAPÍTULO 2:
PRINCIPIOS HIDROLOGICOS
"La descarga por pozos se debe equilibrar con un aumento en la recarga del acuífero, o con una disminución en
la descarga natural anterior, o por una pérdida de almacenamiento, o por una combinación de estos".
Charles V. Theis (1940)
Este capítulo se divide en cuatro secciones. La sección 2.1 trata sobre la precipitación, sus
aspectos meteorológicos, la descripción cuantitativa, las variaciones espaciales y temporales y
las fuentes de datos. La sección 2.2 analiza las abstracciones hidrológicas que son importantes
en la ingeniería hidrológica: intercepción, infiltración, almacenamiento en la superficie,
evaporación y evapotranspiración. La sección 2.3 define las propiedades geométricas y otras
propiedades de captación relevantes para el análisis hidrológico. La sección 2.4 se ocupa del
análisis de escorrentía, tanto de forma cualitativa como cuantitativa. Los conceptos
presentados en este capítulo son de carácter introductorio, con la intención de proporcionar los
antecedentes necesarios para el estudio más especializado que seguirá.
2.1 PRECIPITACIÓN
[Hydrologic Abstractions] [Catchment Properties] [Runoff] [Questions] [Problems] [References] • [Top]
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18/1/2019 EH, Chap. 02, Reading, Hydrologic Principles, Engineering Hydrology, Principles and Practices, Second Edition, Victor Miguel Ponce, Sa…
Introduction
Engineering hydrology takes a quantitative view of the hydrologic cycle. Generally, equations are
used to describe the interaction between the various phases of the hydrologic cycle. As shown in
Chapter 1, the following basic equation relates precipitation and surface runoff:
Q=P-L (2-1)
in which Q = surface runoff, P = precipitation; and L = losses, or hydrologic abstractions. The latter
term is interpreted as the summation of the various precipitation-abstracting phases of the hydrologic
cycle.
La lluvia es la forma líquida de precipitación; Las nevadas y el granizo son las formas sólidas. En el
uso común, la palabra lluvia se usa a menudo para referirse a la precipitación. Las excepciones son
los casos en que se justifica una distinción entre precipitación líquida y sólida.
En general, la cuenca tiene una capacidad abstracta que actúa para reducir la precipitación total en
precipitaciones efectivas. La diferencia entre la precipitación total y la lluvia efectiva es la pérdida o
abstracción hidrológica. La capacidad de abstracción es una característica de la cuenca, que varía
con su nivel de humedad almacenada. Las abstracciones hidrológicas incluyen intercepción,
infiltración, almacenamiento en la superficie, evaporación y evapotranspiración. La diferencia entre la
precipitación total y las abstracciones hidrológicas se denomina escorrentía. Por lo tanto, los
conceptos de lluvia efectiva y escorrentía son equivalentes.
The terms in Eq. 2-1 can be expressed as rates (millimeters per hour, centimeters per hour, or inches
per hour), or when integrated over time, as depths (millimeters, centimeters or inches). In this sense,
a given depth of rainfall or runoff is a volume of water uniformly distributed over the catchment area.
Meteorological Aspects
The earth's atmosphere contains water vapor. The amount of water vapor may be conveniently
expressed in terms of a depth of precipitable water. This is the depth of water that would be realized if
all the water vapor in the air column above a given area were to condense and precipitate on that
area.
There is an upper limit to the amount of water vapor in an air column. This upper limit is a function of
the air temperature. The air column is considered to be saturated when it contains the maximum
amount of water vapor for its temperature. Lowering the air temperature results in a reduction of the
air column's capacity for water vapor. Consequently, an unsaturated air column, i.e., one that has less
than the maximum amount of water vapor for its temperature, can become saturated without the
actual addition of moisture if its temperature is lowered to a level at which the actual amount of water
vapor will produce saturation. The temperature to which air must be cooled, at constant pressure and
water vapor content, to reach saturation is called the dewpoint. Condensation usually occurs at or
near saturation of the air column.
Cooling of Air Masses. Air can be cooled by many processes. However, adiabatic cooling by
reduction of pressure through lifting is the only natural process by which large air masses can be
cooled rapidly enough to produce appreciable precipitation. The rate and amount of precipitation are
a function of the rate and amount of cooling and of the rate of moisture inflow into the air mass to
replace the water vapor that is being converted into precipitation.
The lifting required for the rapid cooling of large air masses is due to four processes [72]:
1. Frontal lifting,
2. Orographic lifting,
3. Lifting due to horizontal convergence, and
4. Thermal lifting.
Más de uno de estos procesos suele estar activo en el levantamiento asociado con las mayores
tasas y cantidades de precipitación.
La elevación frontal tiene lugar cuando el aire relativamente caliente que fluye hacia una masa de
aire más frío (por lo tanto, más densa) se empuja hacia arriba, con el aire frío actuando como una
cuña (Fig. 2-1 (a)). El aire frío que sobrepasa al aire más caliente producirá el mismo resultado al
colocar el último en alto. La superficie de separación entre las dos masas de aire diferentes se llama
superficie frontal. Una superficie frontal siempre se inclina hacia arriba hacia la masa de aire más
fría; La intersección de la superficie frontal con el suelo se llama un frente .
El levantamiento orográfico se produce cuando el aire que fluye hacia una barrera orográfica (es
decir, una montaña) se ve obligado a elevarse para pasar sobre ella (Fig. 2-1 (b)). Las pendientes de
las barreras orográficas suelen ser más pronunciadas que las pendientes más pronunciadas de las
superficies frontales. En consecuencia, el aire se enfría mucho más rápidamente por elevación
orográfica que por elevación frontal.
Fig. 2-1 (a) Elevación frontal. Fig. 2-1 (b) Levantamiento orográfico.
Lifting due to horizontal convergence is also important in the production of clouds and precipitation.
Convergence occurs when the pressure and wind (velocity) fields act to concentrate inflow of air into
a particular area, such as a low-pressure area (Fig. 2-1 (c)). If this convergence takes place in the
lower layers of the atmosphere, the tendency to pile up forces the air upward, resulting in its cooling.
Even when precipitation does not result from convergence alone, subsequent precipitation triggered
by other processes may be more intense if convergence has occurred.
Thermal lifting is caused by local heating. As heated surface air becomes buoyant, it is forced to rise,
resulting in its cooling. If the local heated air contains enough moisture and rises far enough,
saturation will be reached and cumulus clouds will form (Fig. 2-1 (d)). Thermal lifting is more
pronounced in the warm season. Rainfall associated with thermal lifting is likely to be scattered in
geographic extent. In flat country, the greatest convective activity is over the hottest surfaces; in
mountain country, it is greatest over the highest peaks and ridges.
Fig. 2-1 (c) Lifting due to horizontal convergence. Fig. 2-1 (d) Thermal lifting.
Condensation of Water Vapor into Liquid or Solid Form. Condensation is the process by which
water vapor in the atmosphere is converted into liquid droplets or, at low temperatures, into ice
crystals. The results of the process are often, but not always, visible in the form of clouds, which are
airborne liquid water droplets or ice crystals or a mixture of these two.
Saturation does not necessarily result in condensation. Condensation nuclei are required for the
conversion of water vapor into droplets. Among the more effective condensation nuclei are certain
products of combustion and salt particles from the sea. There are usually enough condensation nuclei
in the air to produce condensation when the water vapor reaches saturation point.
Growth of Cloud Droplets and Ice Crystals to Precipitation Size. When air is cooled below its
initial saturation, so that temperature and condensation continues to take place, liquid droplets or ice
crystals tend to accumulate in the resulting cloud. The rate at which this excess liquid and solid
moisture is precipitated from the cloud depends upon: (1) the speed of the upward current producing
the cooling, (2) the rate of growth of the cloud droplets into raindrops heavy enough to fall through the
upward current, and (3) a sufficient inflow of water vapor into the area to replace the precipitated
moisture.
Water droplets in a typical cloud usually average about 0.01 mm in radius and weigh so little at an
upward current of only 0.0025 m/s is sufficient to keep them from falling. Although no definite drop
size can be said to mark the boundary between cloud and raindrops, a radius of 0.1 mm has been
generally accepted. The radius of most raindrops reaching the ground is usually much greater than
0.1 mm and may reach 3 mm. Drops larger than this tend to break into smaller drops because the
surface tension is insufficient to withstand the distortions the drop undergoes in falling through the air.
Drops of 3 mm radius have a terminal velocity of about 10 m/s; therefore, an unusually strong upward
current would be required to keep a drop of this size from falling.
Various theories have been advanced to explain the growth of a cloud element into a size that can
precipitate. The two principal processes in the formation of precipitation are: (1) the ice crystal
process, and (2) the coalescence process [29]. These two processes may operate together or
separately. The ice crystal process involves the presence of ice crystals in a supercooled (cooled to
below freezing) water cloud. Due to the fact that saturation vapor pressure over water is greater than
that over ice, there is a vapor pressure gradient from water drops to ice crystals. This causes the ice
crystals to grow at the expense of the water drops and, under favorable conditions, to attain
precipitation size. The ice crystal process is operative only in supercooled water clouds, and it is most
effective at about -15oC.
The coalescence process is based on the difference in fall velocities and consequent collisions to be
expected between cloud elements of different sizes (Fig. 2-2). The rate of growth of cloud elements
by coalescence depends upon the initial range of particle sizes, the size of the largest drops, the drop
concentration, and the sizes of the aggregated drops. The electric field and drop charge may affect
collision efficiencies and may therefore be important factors in the release of precipitation from clouds
[71]. Unlike the ice crystal process, the coalescence process occurs at any temperature, lts
effectiveness varying from solid to liquid particles.
Fig. 2-2 The coalescence process (cmmap.org).
Forms of Precipitation. Precipitation occurs primarily in the form of drizzle, rain, hail, or snow (Fig.
2-3). Drizzle consists of tiny liquid water droplets, usually between 0.1 and 0.5 mm in diameter, falling
at intensities rarely exceeding 1 mm/h. Rain consists of liquid water drops, mostly larger than 0.5 mm
in diameter. Rainfall refers to amounts of liquid precipitation. Rainfall intensities can be classified as:
light, up to 3 mm/h; moderate, from 3 to 10 mm/h; and heavy, over 10 mm/h. A rainstorm is a rainfall
event lasting a clearly defined duration.
Fig. 2-3 Forms of precipitation.
Hail is composed of solid ice stones or hailstones. Hailstones may be spheroidal, conical, or irregular
in shape and may range from about 5 to over 125 mm in diameter. A hailstorm is a precipitation event
in the form of hail.
Snow is composed of ice crystals, primarily in complex hexagonal form and often aggregated into
snowflakes that may reach several millimeters in diameter. Snowfall is precipitation in the form of
snow. A snowstorm is a snowfall event with a clearly defined duration. Snowpack is the volume of
snow accumulated on the ground after one or more snowstorms. Snowmelt, or melt, is the volume of
snow that has changed from solid to liquid state and is available for runoff.
Factors affecting precipitation. Table 2-1 shows the various factors affecting precipitation and their
effect on: (a) moisture availability, (b) condensation, and (c) coalescence. Factors No. 1 to 7 are
entirely of natural origin and, therefore, not subject to anthropogenic control. Factor No. 8 may be
subject to either natural or anthropogenic control. Factor No. 9 is the only factor which is subject to
anthropogenic control.
Table 2-1 Factors affecting precipitation.
Effect on
Description/
No. Factor
Moisture Conden- Coales- Example
availability sation cence
The climate
is tropical,
temperate, or
polar, a
1 Latitude ✓ - -
function of
the Hadley
and Ferrell
cells.
For example,
Global and the ENSO (El
2 mesoscale ocean ✓ ✓ - Niño
currents Southern
Oscillation).
3 Atmospheric currents ✓ ✓ - For example,

monsoon-
related
precipitation,
such as that
of the Bay of
Bengal,
India.
Ocean or
large inland
lake;
Proximity to moisture presence of
4 ✓ - ✓
source salt particles
(aerosols)
from the
ocean.
Continental
location with
respect to
one or more
Relative continental moisture
5 ✓ ✓ -
position sources;
lifting through
horizontal
convergence;
frontal lifting.
Summer, fall,
winter,
spring;
6 Season - ✓ -
determines
radiation
balance.
Mountain
ranges,
which act as
barriers to
Presence of the
7 - ✓ -
orographic barriers movements
of continental
air masses;
orographic
lifting.
Through
volcano
eruptions or
fires, which
Natural/anthropogenic increase
8 atmospheric - - ✓ atmospheric
particulates particulates,
favoring the
downwind
formation of
precipitation.
9 Land surface ✓ ✓ - Determined

condition (texture, by land-
color, moisture surface
content) albedo,
which
conditions
the near
surface-
radiation
balance and
makes
possible
thermal
lifting.
Quantitative Description of Rainfall
A rainfall event, or storm, describes a period of time having measurable and significant rainfall,
preceded and followed by periods with no measurable rainfall. The time elapsed from start to end of
the rainfall event is the rainfall duration. Typically, rainfall duration is measured in hours. However, for
very small catchments it may be measured in minutes, while for very large catchments it may be
measured in days.
Rainfall durations of 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h are common in hydrologic analysis and design. For small
catchments, rainfall durations can be as short as 5 min. Conversely, for large river basins, durations
of 2 d and longer may be applicable [78]. Rainfall depth is measured in mm, cm, or in., considered to
be uniformly distributed over the catchment area. For instance, a 60-mm, 6-h rainfall event produces
60 mm of depth over a 6-h period.
Rainfall depth and duration tend to vary widely, depending on geographic location, climate,
microclimate, and time of the year. Other things being equal, larger rainfall depths tend to occur
more infrequently than smaller rainfall depths. For design purposes, rainfall depth at a given location
is related to the frequency of its occurrence. For instance, 60 mm of rainfall lasting 6 h may occur on
the average once every 10 y at a certain location. However, 80 mm of rainfall lasting 6 h may occur
on the average once every 25 y at the same location.
Average rainfall intensity is the ratio of rainfall depth to rainfall duration. For example, a rainfall event
producing 60 mm in 6 h represents an average rainfall intensity of 10 mm/h. Rainfall intensity,
however, varies widely in space and time, and local or instantaneous values are likely to be very
different from the spatial and temporal average. Typically, rainfall intensities are in the range 0.1-30
mm/h, but can be as large as 150 to 350 mm/h in extreme cases.
Rainfall frequency refers to the average time elapsed between occurrences of two rainfall events of
the same depth and duration. The actual elapsed time varies widely and can therefore be interpreted
only in a statistical sense. For instance, if at a certain location a 100-mm rainfall event lasting 6 h
occurs on the average once every 50 y, the 100-mm, 6-h rainfall frequency for this location would be
1 in 50 years, 1/50, or 0.02.
The reciprocal of rainfall frequency is referred to as return period, or recurrence interval. In the case
of the previous example, the return period corresponding to a frequency of 0.02 is 50 y.
Generally, larger rainfall depths tend to be associated with longer return periods. The longer the
return period, the longer the historical record needed to ascertain the statistical properties of the
distribution of annual maximum rainfall. Due to the paucity of long rainfall records, extrapolations are
usually necessary to estimate rainfall depths associated with long return periods.
These extrapolations entail a certain measure of risk. When the risk involves human life, the
concepts of rainfall frequency and return period are no longer considered adequate for design
purposes. Instead, a reasonable maximization of the meteorological factors associated with extreme
precipitation is used, leading to the concept of Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP). For a given
geographic location, catchment area, event duration, and time of the year, the PMP is the
theoretically greatest depth of precipitation. In flood hydrology studies, the PMP is used as a basis
for the calculation of the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF).
For certain projects, a precipitation depth less than the PMP may be justified on economic grounds.
This leads to the concept of Standard Project Storm (SPS). The SPS is taken as an appropriate
percentage of the applicable PMP and is used to calculate the Standard Project Flood (SPF)
(Chapter 14).
Temporal and Spatial Variation of Precipitation
Temporal Rainfall Distribution. Rainfall intensities for events of short duration (1 h or less) can
usually be expressed as an average value, obtained by dividing rainfall depth by rainfall duration. For
longer events, instantaneous values of rainfall intensity are likely to become more important,
particularly for flood peak determinations.
The temporal rainfall distribution depicts the variation of rainfall depth within a storm duration. It can
be expressed in either discrete or continuous form. The discrete form is referred to as a hyetograph,
a histogram of rainfall depth (or rainfall intensity) with time increments as abscissas and rainfall
depth (or rainfall intensity) as ordinates, as shown in Fig. 2-4 (a).
The continuous form is the temporal rainfall distribution, a function describing the rate of rainfall
accumulation with time. Rainfall duration (abscissas) and rainfall depth (ordinates) can be expressed
in percentage of total value, as shown in Fig. 2-4 (b). The dimensionless temporal rainfall distribution
is used to convert a storm depth into a hyetograph, as shown in the following example.
Fig. 2-4 (b) A dimensionless temporal rainfall distribution.

Fig. 2-4 (a) A hyetograph.
Example 2-1.
Using the dimensionless temporal rainfall distribution shown in Fig. 2-5, calculate a hyetograph for a 15-
cm, 6-h storm.
For convenience, a time increment of 1 h, or 1/6 of the storm duration is chosen. The cumulative rainfall
percentages (at increments of 1/6 of storm duration) obtained from Fig. 2-5 are the following: 10, 20, 40,
70, 90, and 100% . Therefore, the incremental percentages, per hour, are: 10, 10, 20, 30, 20, and 10%. For
a 15-cm total storm depth, the incremental (hourly) rainfall depths are the following: 1.5, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 3.0,
and 1.5 cm.
Fig. 2-5 Dimensionless temporal rainfall distribution for Example 2-1.
Spatial Rainfall Distribution. Rainfall varies not only temporally but also spatially, i.e., the same
amount of rain does not fall uniformly over the entire catchment. Isohyets are used to depict the
spatial variation of rainfall. An isohyet is a contour line showing the loci of equal rainfall depth
(Fig. 2-6 (a)).
Fig. 2-6 (a) Isohyets or isohyetal curves. Fig. 2-6 (b) A storm eye.
Individual storms may have a spatial distribution or pattern in the form of concentric isohyets of
approximately elliptic shape. This gives rise to the term storm eye to depict the center of the storm
(Fig. 2-6 (b)). In general; storm patterns are not static, moving gradually in a direction approximately
parallel to that of the prevailing winds.
Isohyets are also used to show spatial rainfall patterns for a given time period. Figure 2-7 shows an
example of spatial rainfall distribution for the month of July 2008 in Taranaki, New Zealand.
Fig. 2-7 Monthly spatial distribution of precipitation (mm).
For regional rainfall mapping, isohyets are commonly referred to as isopluvials. Isopluvial maps for
the United States are published by the National Weather Service [58, 59, 85-88]. These maps show
contours of equal rainfall depth, applicable for a range of durations, frequencies, and geographical
locations; see, for example, Fig. 2-8 for San Diego County, California, and Fig. 2-9 for the contiguous
United States.
Fig. 2-8 100-yr 24-h isopluvials for San Diego County, California (0.1 in) (Source: NOAA) (Click -here- to display).
Fig. 2-9 100-yr 24-h isopluvials for the contiguous United States (in.) (NOAA) (Click -here- to display).
For large catchments, highly intensive storms (thunderstorms) may cover only a fraction of the whole
basin, yet they may lead to severe flooding in localized areas. The role of thunderstorms in
determining the flood potential of large basins is usually assessed on an individual basis.
Average Precipitation Over an Area. A precipitation (or rainfall) amount is measured with rain
gages. During a given storm, it is likely that the depth measured by two or more rain gages of the
same type will not be the same. In hydrologic analysis, it is often necessary to determine a spatial
average of the rainfall depth over the catchment. This is accomplished by either of the following
methods:
1. Average rainfall,
2. Thiessen polygons, and
3. Isohyetal curves.
In the average rainfall method, the rainfall depths measured by the rain gages located within the
catchment are tabulated. These rainfall depths are then averaged to find the average precipitation
over the catchment, as shown in Fig. 2-10 (a).
Fig. 2-10 (a) Average rainfall method (Click -here- to display).
In the Thiessen polygons method, the locations of the rain gages are plotted on a scale map of the
catchment and surrounding area. The locations (stations) are joined with straight lines in order to form
a pattern of triangles, preferably with sides of approximately equal length. Perpendicular bisectors to
the sides of these triangles are drawn to enclose each station within a polygon called a Thiessen
polygon, circumscribing an area of influence, as shown in Fig. 2-10 (b). The average precipitation
over the catchment is calculated by weighing each station's rainfall depth in proportion to its area of
influence.
Fig. 2-10 (b) Thiessen polygons method (Click -here- to display).
In the isohyetal method, the locations of the rain gages are plotted on a scale map of the catchment
and surrounding area. Each station's rainfall depth is used to draw isohyets throughout the catchment
in a manner similar to that used in the preparation of topographic contour maps. The mid-distance
between two adjacent isohyets is used to delineate the area of influence of each isohyet, as shown in
Fig. 2-10 (c). The average precipitation over the catchment is calculated by weighing each isohyetal
increment in proportion to its area of influence.
Fig. 2-10 (c) Isohyetal method (Click -here- to display).
The isohyetal method is regarded as more accurate than either the Thiessen polygons or average
rainfall methods. This is particularly the case when averaging precipitation over catchments where
orographic effects have a significant influence on the local storm pattern. The Thiessen polygons
method is generally more accurate than the average rainfall method. The increase in accuracy is
likely to be more marked when averaging precipitation over catchments with widely varying rainfall
depths or large differences in areas of influence.
Storm Analysis
Storm Depth and Duration. Storm depth and duration are directly related, storm depth increasing
with duration. An equation relating storm depth and duration is:
h=ctn (2-2)
in which h = storm depth, in centimeters; t = storm duration, in hours; c = a coefficient; and n = an

exponent (a positive real number less than 1). Typically, n varies between 0.2 and 0.5, indicating that
storm depth increases at a lesser rate than storm duration. By analyzing storm data on a regional or
local basis, Eq. 2-2 can be used to predict storm depth as a function of storm duration. The
applicability of such an equation, however, is limited to the regional or local conditions for which it was
derived.
Equation 2-2 can also be used to study the characteristics of extreme rainfall events. A logarithmic
plot of depth-duration data for the world's greatest observed rainfall events (Table 2-2) results in the
following enveloping line:
h = 39 t 0.5 (2-3)
in which h = rainfall depth, in centimeters, and t = rainfall duration, in hours. The data of Table 2-2 are
plotted in Fig. 2-11, including the enveloping line, Eq. 2-3.
Table 2-2 World's greatest observed rainfall events [53].
Duration Depth Location Date
(cm)
1 min 3.8 Barot, Guadeloupe 1970 November 26
8 min 12.6 Fussen, Bavaria 1920 May 25
15 min 19.8 Plumb Point, Jamaica 1916 May 12
42 min 30.5 Holt, Missouri 1947 June 22
2 h 10 min 48.3 Rockport, West Virginia 1889 July 18
2 h 45 min 55.9 D'Hanis, Texas (17 mi NNW) 1935 May 31
4 h 30 min 78.2 Smethport, Pennsylvania 1942 July 18
9h 108.7 Belouve, Reunion 1964 February 18
12 h 134.0 Belouve, Reunion 1964 February 28-29
18 h 30 min 168.9 Belouve, Reunion 1964 February 28-29
24 h 187.0 Cilaos, Reunion 1952 March 15-16
2d 250.0 Cilaos, Reunion 1952 March 15-17
4d 372.1 Cherrapunji, India 1974 September 12-15
15 d 479.8 Cherrapunji, India 1931 June 24-30
1 mo 930.0 Cherrapunji, India 1861 July
3 mo 1637.0 Cherrapunji, India 1861 May-July
6 mo 2245.0 Cherrapunji, India 1861 April-September
1 yr 2646.0 Cherrapunji, India 1860 August to 1861 July
2 yr 4077.0 Cherrapunji, India 1860-1861
Fig. 2-11 Depth-duration data for the world's greatest observed rainfall events.
Storm Intensity and Duration. Storm intensity and duration are inversely related. From Eq. 2-2, an
equation linking storm intensity and duration, can be obtained by differentiating rainfall depth with
respect to duration, to yield:
dh
______ = i = c n t n -1 (2-4)
dt
in which i = storm intensity. Simplifying,
a
i = ______ (2-5)
tm
in which a = cn, and m = 1 - n. Since n is less than 1, it follows that m is also less than 1.
Another intensity-duration model is the following:
a
i= _________ (2-6)
t+b
in which a and b are constants to be determined by regression analysis (Chapter 7).
A general intensity-duration model combining the features of Eqs. 2-5 and 2-6 is:
a
i = _____________ (2-7)
(t+b)m
For b = 0, Eq. 2-7 reduces to Eq. 2-5; for m = 1, Eq. 2-7 reduces to Eq. 2-6.
Intensity-Duration-Frequency. For small catchments it is often necessary to determine several

intensity-duration curves, each for a different frequency or return period. A set of intensity-duration-
frequency curves is referred to as IDF curves, with duration plotted in the abscissas, intensity in the
ordinates, and frequency (or alternatively, return period) as curve parameter. Either arithmetic (Fig. 2-
12 (a)) or logarithmic (Fig. 2-12 (b)) scales are used in the construction of IDF curves. Such curves
are developed by government agencies for use in urban storm-drainage design and other
applications (Chapter 4).
A formula for IDF curve can be obtained by assuming that the constant a in Eqs. 2-5 through 2- 7 is
related to return period T as follows:
a=kTn (2-8)
in which k = a coefficient; T = return period; and n = an exponent (not related to that of Eq. 2-2). This
leads to
kTn
i = _____________ (2-9)
(t+b)m
The values of k, b, m, and n are evaluated from measured data or local experience.
Fig. 2-12 (a) An arithmetic IDF curve

(Davenport, Iowa) [84].
Fig. 2-12 (b) A logarithmic IDF curve

(San Jose, California) [84].
Storm Depth and Catchment Area. Generally, the greater the catchment area, the smaller the
spatially averaged storm depth. This variation of storm depth with catchment area has led to the
concept of point depth, defined as the storm depth associated with a given point area. A point area is
the smallest area below which the variation of storm depth with catchment area can be assumed to
be negligible. In the United States, the point area is usually taken as 25 km2 (10 mi2).
The point depth applies for all areas less than the point area. For areas greater than the point area, a
reduction in point depth is necessary to account for the decrease of storm depth with catchment area.
This depth reduction is accomplished with a depth-area reduction chart, a function relating catchment
area (abscissas) to point depth percentage (ordinates). Storm duration is usually a curve parameter in
a depth-area reduction chart.
Generalized depth-area reduction charts applicable to the contiguous United States, for areas up to
1000 km2 (400 mi2) and durations from 30 min to 10 d have been published by the National Weather
Service (Figs. 2-13 (a) and (b)). Regional and locally derived depth-area reduction charts may differ
from these generalized charts (see Section 14.1).
Fig. 2-13 (a) Generalized depth-area reduction chart Fig. 2-13 (b) Generalized depth-area reduction chart
for 30-min to 24-h duration. for 1-d to 10-d duration.
Depth-Duration-Frequency. For midsize catchments, hydrologic analysis shifts its focus to rainfall
depth. Isopluvial maps depicting storm depths, applicable for a range of durations, frequencies and
catchment areas, are available for the entire United State [58, 59, 85-88]. These maps show point
depth values and are therefore subject to depth-area reduction by the use of an appropriate chart.
Depth-Area-Duration. Another way of describing the relation between storm depth, duration and
catchment area is the technique known as depth-area-duration (DAD) analysis. This technique is
basically an alternate way of portraying the reduction of storm depth with area, with duration as a third
variable.
To construct a DAD chart, a storm having a single major center (storm eye) is identified. Isohyetal
maps showing maximum storm depths for each of several typical durations (6-h, 12-h, 24-h, etc.) are
prepared. For each map, the isohyets are taken as boundaries circumscribing individual areas. For
each map and each individual area, a spatially averaged rainfall depth is calculated by dividing the
total rainfall volume by the individual area. This procedure provides DAD data sets used to construct
a chart showing depth versus area, with duration as a curve parameter (Fig. 2-14).
Fig. 2-14 A depth-area duration curve.
DAD analysis can also be used to study regional rainfall characteristics. Table 2-3 shows maximum
DAD data for the United States, based on four extreme events. The data confirm that storm depth
increases with duration and decreases with catchment area.
Table 2-3 Maximum depth-area-duration data for the United States [76].*
Duration (h)
Area
(km2)
6 12 18 24 36 48 72
25 62.7a 75.7b 92.2c 98.3c 106.2c 109.5c 114.8c
250 49.8b 66.8c 82.5c 89.4c 96.3c 98.8c 103.1c
500 45.5b 65.0c 79.8c 86.9c 93.2c 95.8c 99.6c
1250 39.1b 62.5c 75.4c 83.0c 88.9c 91.4c 94.7c
2500 34.0b 57.4c 69.6c 76.7c 83.6c 85.6c 88.6c
5000 28.4b 45.0c 57.1c 63.0c 69.3c 72.1c 75.4c
12500 20.6b 28.2b 35.8b 39.4c 47.5d 52.6d 62.0d
Storm: a. July 17-18, 1942, Smethport, Pennsylvania;
b. September 8-10, 1921, Thrall, Texas; c. September 3-7, 1950, Yankeetown, Florida;
d. June 27-July 1, 1899, Hearne, Texas.
* Average depth in cm; storm indicated by superscripted letter.
Probable Maximum Precipitation. For large projects, storm analysis using depth-duration-frequency
data is not sufficient to eliminate the likelihood of failure. In such cases, the concept of PMP is used
instead. In the United States, PMP estimates are developed following guidelines included in the HM
NOAA Hydrometeorological Reports) serie [33-44] and related publications [84-87]. These reports
contain methodologies and maps for the estimation of PMP for a given geographic location, range of
durations and catchment sizes, and time of the year (Chapter 14).
Geographic and Seasonal Variations of Precipitation
Precipitation varies not only temporally and spatially but also seasonally, annually, and with
geographic location and climate. Mean annual precipitation, the total amount of precipitation that
accumulates in one year, on the average, at a given location, is used for classify climates (in terms of
precipitation) into eight classes [11]:
Superarid: Less than 100 mm
Hyperarid: 100 - 200 mm
Arid: 200 - 400 mm
Semiarid: 400 - 800 mm
Subhumid: 800 - 1600 mm
Humid: 1600 - 3200 mm
Hyperhumid: 3200 - 6400 mm.
Superhumid: More than 6400 mm.
The seasonality of precipitation is assessed with the precipitation seasonality index: the ratio of
accumulated precipitation for the three wettest consecutive months to that for the three driest
consecutive months, in an average year. This index is used to classify climates into four classes [11]:
1. Nonseasonal: 1.0 - 1.6
2. Weakly seasonal: 1.6 - 2.5
3. Moderately seasonal: 2.5 - 10
4. Strongly seasonal: Greater than 10.
In general, arid and semiarid climates are associated with moderately seasonal regimes; conversely,
subhumid and humid climates are associated with weakly seasonal or nonseasonal regimes.
However, there are some exceptions; for instance, the monsoon-type climates which prevail in some
parts of the world, which tend to be both humid and seasonal.
Precipitation Data Sources and Interpretation
Precipitation data are obtained by measurement using rain gages (Chapter 3). The National Climatic
Data Center (NCDC), Asheville, North Carolina, publishes precipitation data for about 8000 stations in
the United States. A large number of additional gages are operated by other federal, state, and local
agencies, and by individuals. U.S. federal agencies collecting precipitation data on a regular basis
include the National Weather Service (NWS), the Army Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service), the Forest Service, the Bureau of
Reclamation, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
NCDC assembles precipitation data using hourly, daily, monthly, and yearly intervals. Hourly
precipitation data and maximum 15-minute duration amounts are found in Hourly Precipitation Data.
Daily and monthly precipitation data are found in Climatological Data. Monthly and annual
precipitation data for about 250 major U.S. cities, including hourly rates, are found in Local
Climatological Data.
Regional precipitation-frequency atlases (U.S. Weather Bureau No. 40 [86], NOAA Technical
Memorandum NWS Hydro-35 [59] and Precipitation Frequency Atlas of the Western United States
[58]) are available. NCDC Monthly and seasonal precipitation maps are found in Weekly Weather and
Crop Bulletin, available from NOAA/USDA Joint Agricultural Weather Facility, in the USDA South
Building, Washington, D.C. Additional sources of precipitation data are given in Annotated
Bibliography of NOAA Publications of Hydrometeorological Interest, updated at regular intervals by
NWS, and in Selective Guide to Climatic Data Sources, updated at regular intervals by NCDC.
Precipitation and other relevant climatological data are now accessible online through NCDC's
website at http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Clicking on On-line Data Access provides access to a host of
on-line services, including U.S. monthly precipitation for NWS and Cooperative sites, and the On-line
Access and Service Information System (OASIS), which includes hourly and 15-minute precipitation
data.
Filling In Missing Records. Incomplete records of rainfall are sometimes possible due to operator
error or equipment malfunction. In this case, it is often necessary to estimate the missing record.
Assume that a certain station X has a missing record. A procedure to fill in the missing record is to
identify three index stations (A, B, and C) having complete records, located as close to and as evenly
spaced around station X as possible. The mean annual rainfall for each of the stations X, A, B, and C
is evaluated. If the mean annual rainfall at each of the index stations A, B, or C is within 10 percent of
that of station X, a simple arithmetic average of the rainfall values at the index stations provides the
missing value at station X.
If the mean annual rainfall at any of the index stations differs by more than 10% from that of station X,
the normal ratio method is used [55]. In this method, the missing precipitation value at station X is the
following:
NX NX NX
PX = (1/3) [ _____ PA + _____ PB + _____ PC ] (2-10)
NA NB NC
in which P = precipitation, N = mean annual rainfall, and the subscripts X, A, B, and C refer to the
respective stations.
An alternate method for filling in missing precipitation data has been developed by the National
Weather Service [49]. The method requires data for four index stations A, B, C, and D, each located
closest to the station X of interest, and in each of four quadrants delimited by north-south and east-
west lines drawn through station X (Fig. 2-15). The estimated precipitation value at station X is the
weighted average of the values at the four index stations. For each index station, the applicable
weight is the reciprocal of the square of its distance L to station X.
Fig. 2-15 Position of station X and index stations A, B, C, and D.
The procedure is described by the following formula:
Σ ( Pi / Li 2 )
i=1
PX = _____________________
(2-11)
4
Σ ( 1 / Li 2 )
i=1
in which P = precipitation; L = distance between index stations and station X; and i refers to each one
of the index stations A, B, C, and D.
Double-mass Analysis. Changes in the location or exposure of a rain gage may have a significant
effect on the amount of precipitation it measures, leading to inconsistent data (data of different nature
within the same record).
The consistency of a rainfall record is tested with double-mass analysis. This method compares the
cumulative annual (or, alternatively, seasonal) values of station Y with those of a reference station X.
The reference station is usually the mean of several neighboring stations. The cumulative pairs
(double-mass values) are plotted in an x-y arithmetic coordinate system, and the plot is examined for
trend changes. If the plot is essentially linear, the record at station Y is consistent. If the plot shows a
break in slope, the record at station Y is inconsistent and should be corrected. The correction is
performed by adjusting the records prior to the break to reflect the new state (after the break). To
accomplish this, the rainfall records prior to the break are multiplied by the ratio of slopes after and
before the break (Fig. 2-16).
Fig. 2-16 Double-mass analysis.
2.2 HYDROLOGIC ABSTRACTIONS
[Catchment Properties] [Runoff] [Questions] [Problems] [References] • [Top] [Precipitation]
H ydrologic abstractions are the processes acting to reduce total precipitation into effective
precipitation. Effective precipitation eventually produces surface runoff. The difference between total
and effective precipitation is the depth abstracted by the catchment.
The processes by which precipitation is abstracted by the catchment are many. Those important in
engineering hydrology are the following:
1. Interception,
2. Infiltration,
3. Surface or depression storage,
4. Evaporation, and
5. Evapotranspiration.
Interception
Interception is the process by which precipitation is abstracted by vegetation or other forms of surface
cover, including, in certain cases, cultural features of the landscape. Interception loss is the fraction of
precipitation that is retained by the vegetative cover. The intercepted amount is either returned to the
atmosphere through evaporation, or go on to constitute throughfall, that part of precipitation which
reaches the ground by first passing through the vegetative cover. Interception losses are a function
of:
1. Storm character, including intensity, depth, and duration,
2. The type, species, age, and density of vegetative cover, and
3. The time of the year, or season.
Interception is usually the first abstractive process to act during a storm. Light storms are substantially
abstracted by the interception process. Light storms occur frequently and therefore constitute the
majority of the storms. The interception loss accumulated in one year, primarily from light storms,
amounts to about 25 percent of the average annual precipitation.
For moderate storms, interception losses are apt to vary widely, being greater during the growing
season and smaller at other times of the year. Studies have shown that interception values are likely
to vary from 7 to 36 percent of total precipitation during the growing season, and from 3 to 22 percent
during the remainder of the year [12].
For heavy storms, interception losses usually amount to a small fraction of the total rainfall. For long-
duration or infrequent storms, the effect of interception on the overall process of abstraction is likely to
be small. In certain cases, particularly for flood hydrology studies, the neglect of interception is
generally justified on practical grounds.
The interception loss comprises two distinct elements [25] The first is the interception storage, i.e.,
the depth (or volume) retained in the foliage against the forces of wind and gravity. The second is the
evaporation loss from the foliage surface, which takes place throughout the duration of the storm. The
combination of these two processes leads to the following formula for estimating interception loss
[12].
L= S+KEt (2-12)
in which L = interception loss, in millimeters; S = interception storage depth in millimeters, usually

varying from 0.25 to 1.25 mm; K = ratio of evaporating foliage surface to its horizontal projection; E =
evaporation rate in millimeters per hour; and t = storm duration, in hours.
Infiltration
Infiltration is the process by which precipitation is abstracted by seeping into the soil below the land
surface. Once below the ground surface, the abstracted water moves either laterally, as interflow, into
lakes, streams, and rivers, or vertically, by percolation, into aquifers. The water that reaches lakes
either evaporates or drains as lake overflow into surface streams. The water that reaches streams
and rivers moves relatively rapidly toward the oceans as surface flow. The water held in aquifers
moves slowly as groundwater flow, eventually flowing into a stream or reaching the ocean directly,
bypassing the surface waters entirely.
Infiltration is a complex process. It is described by either an instantaneous or an average infiltration

rate, both measured in millimeters per hour, or inches per hour. The total infiltration depth is obtained
by integrating the instantaneous infiltration rate over the storm duration. The average infiltration rate
is obtained by dividing the total infiltration depth by the storm duration.
Infiltration rates vary widely, depending on:
1. The condition of the land surface, including compaction and surface crusting,
2. The type and density of vegetative cover, and associated root structure,
3. The physical properties of the soil, including structure, grain size, and gradation,
4. The storm character, i.e., intensity, depth, and duration,
5. The water temperature, and
6. The water quality, including chemical constituents and other impurities.
Infiltration Formulas. For a given storm, infiltration rates tend to vary in time. The initial infiltration
rate is the rate prevailing at the beginning of the storm. This rate is likely to be the maximum rate for
the given storm, gradually decreasing as the storm progresses in time. For storms of long duration,
the infiltration rate eventually reaches a constant value, referred to as final (or equilibrium) infiltration
rate. This process led Horton [27] to describe the variation of infiltration rate with time using the
following formula:
f = fc + ( fo - fc ) e-k t (2-13)
in which f = instantaneous infiltration rate; fo = initial infiltration rate; fc = final infiltration rate; k = an
exponential decay constant; and t = time, in hours. The units of k are h-1. For t = 0, f = fo; and for t =
∞, f = fc (see Fig. 2-17).
Fig. 2-17 Horton's infiltration formula.
Equation 2-13 has three parameters: (1) initial infiltration rate; (2) final infiltration rate; and (3) the k
value describing the rate of decay of the difference between initial and final infiltration rates. Field
measurements are necessary in order to determine appropriate values of these parameters. A plot of
infiltration rate versus time enables the estimation of the final rate. With a knowledge of the final rate
fc , two sets of f and t are obtained from the plot and used, together with Eq. 2-13, to solve
simultaneously for fo and k.
Integrating Eq. 2-13 between t = 0 and t = ∞, leads to:
fo - fc
F= _________ (2-14)
k
in which F = the total infiltration depth above the f = fc line. Equation 2-14 enables the calculation of
the total infiltration depth, assuming that the storm lasts long enough for the equilibrium rate to be
attained.
Example 2-2.
Assuming fo = 10 mm/h, fc = 5 mm/h, and k = 0.95 h-1, calculate the total infiltration depth for a storm lasting
6 h.
After 6 h, the difference between instantaneous and final rates is negligible. Therefore, the total infiltration
depth is: (10 mm/h - 5 mm/h)/ 0.95 h-1 + (5 mm/h × 6 h) = 35.26 mm.
Typical infiltration rates at the end of 1 h (f1) are shown in Table 2-4. Generally, these values are
reasonable approximations of final (i.e., equilibrium) infiltration rates.
Table 2-4 Typical f1 values [1].
Soil group Infiltration rate f1 (mm/h)
Clays, clay loam Low 0.25-2.50
Loams, clay, silt Intermediate 2.50-12.50
Sandy soils High 12.50-25.00
More recent developments in infiltration theory have sought to improve on the Horton model. Philip
[66] has proposed the following model:
f = (l/2 ) s t -1/2 + A (2-15)
in which f = instantaneous infiltration rate; s = an empirical parameter related to the rate of

penetration of the wetting front (the wetting surface characterized by a very high potential gradient); A
= an infiltration value that is close to the value of saturated hydraulic conductivity at the surface; and t
= time.
In Eq. 2-15, for t = 0, f = ∞; and for t = ∞, f = A. In practice, the initial infiltration rate has a finite value.
In spite of this limitation, the Philip formula seems to be a good fit to experimental data. Integration of
the Philip equation leads to
F = s t 1/2 + A t (2-16)
in which F = total depth of infiltration.
An infiltration model with a sound theoretical basis is the Green and Ampt formula [21]. This equation
describes infiltration rate under ponded water conditions as follows:
H + Pf
f= K (1+ __________ ) (2-17)
Zf
in which f = infiltration rate in millimeters per hour; K = saturated hydraulic conductivity in millimeters
per hour; H = depth of ponded water in millimeters; Pf = capillary pressure at the wetting front in
millimeters; and Zf = vertical depth of saturated zone in millimeters. In practice, however, it may be
difficult to measure some of the terms of this equation. Recent progress has been achieved by
groupe terms in Eq. 2-17 into predictable parameters linked to the physical processes [48].
Infiltration Indexes. Practical evaluations of infiltration have been hampered by its spatial and
temporal variability. This has led to the use of infiltration indexes, which model the infiltration process
in an approximate yet practical way.
Infiltration indexes assume that infiltration rate is constant throughout the storm duration. This
assumption tends to underestimate the higher initial rate of infiltration while overestimating the lower
final rate. For this reason, infiltration indexes are best suited for applications involving either long-
duration storms or catchments with high initial soil moisture content. Under such conditions, the
neglect of the variation of infiltration rate with time is generally justified on practical grounds.
For moderate storms, the use of infiltration indexes is largely an empirical procedure, with attention
being focused on matching the prevailing soil moisture condition and storm duration in order to effect
a proper balance of rainfall and runoff amounts.
In practice, the most commonly used infiltration index is the φ-index, defined as the (constant)
infiltration rate to be subtracted from the prevailing rainfall rate in order to obtain the runoff volume
that actually occurred [13]. The computation of the φ-index requires a storm pattern, i.e., a plot of
rainfall intensity versus time, and a measured runoff volume (or depth). The computation involves a
trial-and-error procedure.
Example 2-3.
The following rainfall distribution was measured during a 6-h storm.
Time (h) 1 2 3 4 5 6
Rainfall intensity (cm/h) 0.5 1.5 1.2 0.3 1.0 0.5
The runoff depth has been estimated at 2 cm. Calculate the φ-index.
From the rainfall distribution, the total rainfall is 5 cm. Therefore, the depth abstracted by infiltration is:
(5 - 2) = 3 cm. With reference to Fig. 2-18, the φ-index is calculated by trial and error. By inspection, a value
of between 0.5 and 1.0 cm/h is assumed. A mass balance leads to:
[ (1.5 - φ) × 1 ] + [ (1.2 - φ) × 1 ] + [ (1.0 - φ) × 1 ] = 2 cm
From Eq. 2-18, solving for φ gives: φ = 0.567 cm/h, verifying that the assumed range for was correct. Had
the assumed range been wrong, the calculated φ-value would have been out of that range. In Fig. 2-18, the
2 cm of runoff are above the φ-index line; the 3 cm of abstracted rainfall are below the φ-index line.
Fig. 2-18 Calculation of φ-index: Example 2-3.
Another widely used infiltration index is the W-index [13], which, unlike the φ-index, takes explicit
account of interception loss and depth of surface storage. The formula for the W-index is the
following:
P-Q-S
W= _____________ (2-18)
tf
in which W = W-index, in millimeters per hour; P = rainfall depth, in millimeters; Q = runoff depth, in
millimeters; S = the sum of interception loss and depth of surface storage, in millimeters; and tf = the
total time (hours) during which rainfall intensity is greater than W.
The Wmin index is the W-index calculated for extremely wet conditions. It is derived using data from
the last of a series of storms and is used in estimating maximum flood potential. In this sense, the
Wmin index approaches a spatially averaged value of the final infiltration rate. For such extreme
conditions, the values of Wmin and φ are almost identical.
Infiltration Rates Derived from Rainfall-Runoff Data. Inflltration formulas depict the variation of
infiltration rates with time. Infiltration rates, however, vary not only temporally but also spatially. Unless
the field measurements and related parameter estimation are fairly good representations of the
spatial variability, the rates calculated by infiltration formulas are likely to be different from reality.
This difficulty is circumvented by calculating infiltration rates indirectly, from concurrent rainfall-runoff
measurements. Such a calculation provides a temporal and spatial average of infiltration rate,
amounting to a φ-index, with its associated advantages and disadvantages.
Infiltration and Catchment Size. For midsize and large catchments, the natural variability of
infiltration rates makes it necessary to resort to the evaluation of total infiltration depth. In practice,
total infiltration depths are derived from rainfall-runoff analysis. However, for each data set, the
calculation is highly dependent on the level of soil moisture antecedent to the storm. The catchment
moisture level is referred to as the antecedent moisture condition, or AMC (Chapter 5). Initial
infiltration rates and, consequently, total infiltration depths are a function of prevailing antecedent
moisture condition.
Surface or Depression Storage
Surface (or depression) storage is the process by which precipitation is abstracted by being retained
in puddles, ditches, and other natural or artificial depressions of the land surface. Water held in
depressions either evaporates or eventually contributes to soil moisture by infiltration. The spatial
variability of storage in surface depressions precludes its precise calculation.
Intuitively, the milder the catchment's relief, the greater the effect of depression storage. Field data
reported by Viessman [82] showed conclusively that depression storage is inversely related to
catchment slope. Usually, an equivalent depth of depression storage can be estimated based on
experience. For instance, Hicks [23] has used depression storage depths of 5.0, 3.75, and 2.5 mm for
sand, loam, and clay, respectively. Tholin and Keife [77] have used values of 6.25 mm in pervious
urban areas and 1.5 mm for paved areas. Where accurate estimations are difficult, depression
storage amounts can be lumped together with other more tractable hydrologic abstractions such as
interception or infiltration.
An alternate way of accounting for depression storage is the use of a peak-flow correction factor, as
in the NRCS TR-55 graphical method (Section 5.3).
Typically, the effect of depression storage varies in time and, consequently, with storm duration. At the
beginning of a storm, depression storage usually plays an active role in abstracting precipitation
amounts. As time progresses, depression storage volumes are eventually filled, with any additional
water going on to constitute runoff. This has led to the following conceptual model of depression
storage:
Vs = Sd ( 1 - e - k Pe ) (2-19)
in which Vs = equivalent depth of depression storage, in millimeters; Pe = precipitation excess,

defined as total precipitation depth minus interception loss minus total infiltration depth; Sd =
depression storage capacity, in millimeters; and k = a constant.
Linsley et al. [53] have suggested that values of Sd for most catchments are in the range of 10-50
mm. The value of the constant k is estimated by assuming that for very small values of precipitation
excess (Pe ≅ 0), essentially all the precipitation goes into depression storage (dVs /dPe = 1). This
leads to k = 1/Sd.
Evaporation
Evaporation is the process by which water accumulated on the land surface (including that held in
surface depressions and water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs) is converted into vapor state and
returned to the atmosphere. Evaporation occurs at the evaporating surface, the contact between
water body and overlying air. At the evaporating surface, there is a continuous exchange of liquid
water molecules into water vapor and vice versa. In engineering hydrology, evaporation refers to the
net rate of water transfer (loss) into vapor state.
Evaporation is expressed as an evaporation rate in millimeters per day (mm/d), centimeters per day
(cm/d), or inches per day (in./d). Evaporation rate is a function of several meteorological and
environmental factors. Those important from an engineering hydrology standpoint are:
1. Net solar radiation,
2. Saturation vapor pressure,
3. Vapor pressure of the air,
4. Air and water surface temperatures,
5. Wind velocity, and
6. Atmospheric pressure.
Evaporation rates are significantly affected by climate. Studies have shown that evaporation rates are
high in arid and semiarid regions and low in humid regions. For instance, mean annual lake
evaporation in the United States varies from 20 in. (508 mm) in the Northeast (Maine) and Northwest
(Washington state) corners, to more than 80 in. (2184 mm) in the Southwestern desert (California and
Arizona) (Fig. 2-19) [18].
Fig. 2-19 Mean annual lake evaporation in the contiguous United States (NOAA).
The effect of climate on evaporation has a substantial impact on water resources development. The
planning and design of storage reservoirs in arid/semiarid regions requires a detailed evaluation of
the potential for reservoir evaporation. These calculations determine to a large extent the feasibility of
building surface water storage projects on regions subject to high evaporation rates.
Unlike other phases of the hydrologic cycle, lake evaporation cannot be measured directly. Therefore,
several approaches have been developed to calculate evaporation. These vary in nature and are
based on either: (1) a water budget, (2) an energy budget, or (3) a mass-transfer methodology.
Water Budget Method for Determining Reservoir Evaporation. The water budget method
assumes that all relevant water-transport phases can be evaluated for a time period Δt, and
expressed in terms of volumes. Reservoir or lake evaporation is calculated as follows:
E = P + Q - O - I - ΔS (2-20)
in which E = volume evaporated from the reservoir, P = precipitation faIling directly onto the reservoir,
Q = surface runoff inflow into the reservoir, O = outflow from the reservoir, I = net volume infiltrated
from the reservoir into the ground, and ΔS = change in stored volume. All terms in Eq. 2-20 refer to a
time period Δt, usually taken as 1 week or greater.
Most terms in Eq. 2-20 can be evaluated directly. Precipitation is readily measured, and inflow and
outflow can be obtained by integrating the flow records. The change in stored volume is determined
by means of water stage recorders. Net infiltration, however, can be evaluated only indirectly, either
by measuring soil permeability or monitoring changes in groundwater level in nearby wells. The
difficulty in measuring net infiltration generally limits the water budget method to areas with little or no
net infiltration. In spite of this limitation, the water budget method has been found to work reliably
under certain idealized conditions. Water budget studies from Lake Hefner, Oklahoma, show that the
method can provide evaporation volumes within a 10 percent accuracy about two-thirds of the time
[81]. Conditions at Lake Hefner, however, were highly selective, and lesser accuracy is to be
expected under more typical circumstances.
Energy Budget Method for Determining Reservoir Evaporation. During evaporation, significant
energy exchanges occur at the evaporating surface. A balance of these energy exchanges leads to
the energy budget method of calculating reservoir evaporation. The amount of heat required to
convert one gram of water into vapor, i.e., the heat of vaporization, varies with temperature. For
instance, at 20°C the heat of vaporization is 586 calories (Table A-1, Appendix A). To maintain the
temperature of the evaporating surface, large quantities of heat must be supplied by radiation, by
heat transfer from the atmosphere, and from energy stored in the water body.
Radiation is the emission of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves from all bodies above 0°K.
Solar radiation received on the Earth's surface is a major component of the energy balance. Solar
radiation reaches the outer surface of the atmosphere at a nearly constant flux of about 1.95
cal/cm2/min, or langleys/min (1 langley = 1 cal/cm2), measured perpendicular to the incident radiation.
Nearly all this radiation is of wavelengths in the range 300 - 3000 nm (nanometers), with about half of
it of wavelengths in the visible range (380 - 740 nm) (Fig. 2-20). The earth also emits radiation, but
since its surface temperature is about 300°K, this terrestrial radiation is of much lower intensity and
greater wavelength (3 - 50 μm) than solar radiation. Since there is little overlap between these two
radiation spectra, it is customary to refer to solar radiation as shortwave radiation and to terrestrial
radiation as longwave radiation [24].
Fig. 2-20 Range of visible light within the electromagnetic spectrum.
In passage through the atmosphere, solar radiation changes its flux and spectral composition. Some
of it is reflected back to space, and some of it is absorbed and scattered by the atmosphere. The
fraction of the original solar radiation flux that reaches the Earth's surface is called direct solar
radiation. The fraction of the radiation reflected and scattered by the atmosphere that reaches the
ground is called sky radiation. The sum of direct solar radiation and sky radiation is called global
radiation.
Albedo is the reflectivity coefficient of a surface toward shortwave radiation. This coefficient varies
with color, roughness, and inclination of the surface. Its value is 0.03 - 0.10 for water, 0.05 - 0.30 for
vegetated areas, 0.15 - 0.40 for bare soil, and up to 0.95 for snow-covered area [24]. Table 2-5 shows
typical values of albedo. Figure 2-21 shows the global distribution of albedo, according to NASA.
Table 2-5 Typical values of albedo [*].
Biome Albedo
Lakes and sea 0.03 - 0.10
Forest lands 0.05 - 0.20
Rangelands 0.12 - 0.30
Agricultural lands 0.12 -0.25
Urban areas 0.15 - 0.25
Bare soil 0.15 - 0.40
Deserts 0.20 - 0.45
Sand dunes 0.30 - 0.60
Snow cover 0.50 - 0.95
Fig. 2-21 Global distribution of albedo (NASA).
In addition to the shortwave radiation balance, there is also a longwave radiation balance. The Earth's
surface emits radiation, part of which is absorbed and reflected back by the atmosphere. The
difference between outgoing and incoming fluxes is called longwave radiation loss. During the day,
longwave radiation may be a small fraction of the total radiation balance, but at night, in the absence
of solar radiation, longwave radiation dominates the radiation balance. Net radiation is equal to the
net shortwave (solar) radiation minus the longwave (terrestrial) radiation toss (Fig. 2-22).
Fig. 2-22 The Earth's radiation budget (NASA).
In the energy budget method, the incoming energy can be expressed as
Qi = Qs ( 1 - A ) - Qb + Qa (2-21)
in which Qi = incoming energy; Qs = global radiation (shortwave radiation from sun and sky); A =
albedo; Qb = longwave radiation loss by water body; and Qa = net energy advected into the water
body by streams, rain, and snow.
The energy expenditure, which must balance the incoming energy, is expressed as follows:
Qo = Qh + Qe + Qt (2-22)
in which Qo = energy expenditure; Qh = sensible heat transfer from water body to the atmosphere by
convection and conduction; Qe = energy expended in the evaporation process; and Qt = increase in
energy stored in the water body. The value of Qe is negative when condensation is taking place. All
terms in Eqs. 2-21 and 2-22 are given in calories per square centimeter per day. The energy used in
evaporation Qe (cal/cm2/day) is converted into equivalent evaporation rate E (cm/day) by the
following formula:
Qe = ρ H E (2-23)
in which ρ = density of water in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3); H = heat of vaporization, a
function of temperature (see Table A-1, Appendix A), in calories per gram (cal/g); and E = evaporation
rate, in centimeters per day.
The terms Qh and Qe in Eq. 2-22 are difficult to evaluate directly. Bowen has suggested that their
ratio is more tractable and can be evaluated by means of the following relation:
Qh Ts - Ta p
B= _______ =γ ___________ _________ (2-24)
Qe es - ea 1000
in which B = Bowen's ratio, γ = a psychrometric parameter, which is a function of the physical

properties of dry air, varying slightly with temperature (see Table 2-6); Ts = water surface
temperature, in degrees Celsius; Ta = overlying air temperature, in degrees Celsius; es = saturation
vapor pressure at the water surface temperature, in millibars; ea = vapor pressure of the overlying air,
in millibars; and p = atmospheric pressure, in millibars.
A balance of incoming energy (Eq. 2-21) and energy expenditure (Eq. 2-22), taking into account Eqs.
2-23 and 2-24 leads to:
Qs ( 1 - A ) - Qb + Qa - Qt
E= __________________________________ (2-25)
ρH(1 + B)
The quantities Qs ( 1 - A ) and Qb can be measured with radiometers, which are instruments
designed to measure radiation. The quantity Qa can be determined by measuring volumes and
temperatures of the water flowing into and out of the body, and Qt is evaluated by periodic
measurements of water temperatures. An example of the application of the energy budget method to
a large lake is the study of evaporation in Lake Ontario by Bruce and Rodgers [9].
Mass-Transfer Approach. Evaporation rates are dependent on the water surlace temperature and
the prevailing atmospheric pressure. Higher water surface temperatures induce more vigorous
molecular action and result in higher evaporation rates. On the other hand, a higher atmospheric
pressure limits the movement of water molecules and results in lower evaporation rates. In practice,
the overall effect of atmospheric pressure on evaporation is small and is usually neglected.
The pressure at the air-water interface resulting from molecular motion in the direction of escape from
the liquid is called the water vapor pressure. This pressure, which varies with the water temperature
as shown in Table A-1 and Table A-2 (Appendix A), determines the rate at which water molecules
escape to the air and become water-vapor molecules. Once in the air, the water-vapor molecules
displace air molecules and contribute their share to the total atmospheric pressure. This share is
called the partial vapor pressure.
When the partial vapor pressure in a given air volume (overlying a given water volume) is in
equilibrium with the water vapor pressure, there is no net exchange of water molecules;
consequently, the air volume is said to be saturated. A saturated air volume contains all the water
vapor that it can hold. The vapor pressure of a saturated air volume is called the saturation vapor
pressure. This pressure varies with the air temperature and is identical to the water vapor pressure at
that temperature.
The higher the temperature, the more water vapor a volume of air can hold, and the higher the
saturation vapor pressure. The partial vapor pressure (of the air) ea is calculated by multiplying the
saturation vapor pressure at the air temperature eo by the relative humidity, in percentage, and
dividing by 100. Studies have shown that evaporation rates are a function of the difference between
the saturation vapor pressure (expressed at the water surface temperature or, as an alternative, at
the overlying air temperature) and the partial vapor pressure of the overlying air.
As the evaporation process continues, the lowest layer of the atmosphere eventually reaches
saturation and the net evaporation rate decreases to zero and may actually reverse (condensation)
(Fig. 2-23). Thus, an agent such as the wind, which opens up the system and carries away the water
molecules as they leave the water surface, is necessary for evaporation to continue.
Fig. 2-23 Saturation vapor pressure analog.
The recognition of these processes led Dalton [15] to formulate the classical law bearing his name:
E = f (u) ( es - ea ) (2-26)
in which E = evaporation rate; f(u) = a function of the horizontal wind speed; es = the saturation vapor
pressure at the water surface temperature; and ea = the (partial) vapor pressure of the overlying air.
When the air is saturated, i.e., when the relative humidity φ approaches 100%, ea is nearly equal to
es, and the evaporation E tends to zero.
Several empirical equations of the type of Eq. 2-26 have been developed over the years. Collectively,
they are referred to mass-transfer equations. A commonly used mass-transfer equation is that of
Meyer [54]:
E = C ( eo - ea ) [ 1 + ( W / 10 ) ] (2-27a)
in which E = evaporation rate in inches per month; C = a coefficient varying from 15 for small ponds
to 11 for large lakes and reservoirs; eo = saturation vapor pressure at the mean monthly air
temperature, in inches of mercury; ea = vapor pressure of the air at the mean monthly air
temperature, in inches of mercury; and W = mean monthly wind speed at 25-ft height, in miles per
hour.
Another version of the Meyer equation is the following [55, 82]:
E = C ( es - ea ) [ 1 + ( W / 10 ) ] (2-27b)
in which E = evaporation rate, in inches per day; C = a coefficient varying from 0.50 for small ponds to
0.36 for large lakes and reservoirs; es = saturation vapor pressure at the daily water surface
temperature, in inches of mercury; ea = vapor pressure of the air at the daily air surface temperature,
in inches of mercury; and W = daily mean wind speed at 25-ft height, in miles per hour.
A set of mass-transfer equations developed in connection with the Lake Hefner evaporation studies
[81] is the following:
E = 0.00304 ( es - e2 ) v4 (2-28a)
E = 0.00241 ( es - e8 ) v8 (2-28b)
in which E = evaporation rate in inches per day; es = saturation vapor pressure at the (daily) water
surface temperature in inches of mercury; e2 and e8 are partial (air) vapor pressures over the lake at
2- and 8-m heights, respectively, in inches of mercury; and v4 and v8 are wind speeds over the lake at
4- and 8-m heights, respectively, in miles per day. If e2 and v4 are taken upwind from the lake, the
constant in Eq. 2-28a reduces to 0.0027. These formulas were carefully developed using water
budget data from Lake Hefner, with a surface area of 2500 ac (1012 ha). They have since been
tested other reservoirs, including Lake Mead and others in the western United States [10].
Combination Methods for Determining Reservoir Evaporation. The concurrent use of both of
energy budget and mass-transfer approaches leads to an alternate way of determining reservoir
evaporation. Penman [64] combined these two concepts to develop a formula for practical use. An
approximate energy balance (neglecting variations of energy by the water body, Qa = 0, and Qt = 0, in
Eqs. 2-21 and 2-22) led Penman to the following relation:
Qs ( 1 - A ) - Qb = Qh + Qe (2-29)
The left side of this equation is the net radiation, or Qn. The right side can be expressed in terms of
the Bowen ratio (Eq. 2-24) as Qe ( 1 + B ). Therefore:
Qn = Qe ( 1 + B ) (2-30)
By using Eq. 2-23, Eq. 2-30 is converted to evaporation rate units (centimeters per day):
En = E ( 1 + B ) (2-31)
in which En is the evaporation rate due to net radiation, and E is the evaporation rate.
For p = 1000 mb, which is close to atmospheric pressure at sea level, equal to 1013.2 mb, Bowen's
ratio (Eq. 2-24) reduces to:
Ts - Ta
B = γ __________ (2-32)
es - ea
A saturation vapor-pressure gradient Δ between surface water and overlying air temperatures, in
millibars per degree Celsius, is defined as follows:
es - eo
Δ = ___________ (2-33)
Ts - Ta
in which es = saturation vapor pressure at the water surface temperature Ts, and eo = saturation
vapor pressure at the overlying air temperature Ta.
The Dalton formula (Eq. 2-26) enables the calculation of the ratio Ea /E, i.e., the ratio of mass-transfer
evaporation rate Ea (assuming that the temperatures of water surface and overlying air are equal) to
the evaporation rate E:
Ea eo - ea
______ = ___________ (2-34)
E es - ea
Combining Eqs. 2-31 through 2-34, the Penman equation is obtained:
Δ En + γ Ea
E= __________________ (2-35)
Δ + γ
in which E (evaporation rate), En (evaporation rate due to net radiation) and Ea (mass-transfer
evaporation rate) are given in centimeters per day; and Δ and γ are given in millibars per degree
Celsius.
The quantities Δ and γ in Eq. 2-35 are weighting factors, affecting the net radiation and mass-transfer
evaporation rates, respectively. The gradient Δ is a function of saturation vapor pressure and air
temperature (Eq. 2-33). A simple formula based solely on air temperature is [53]:
Δ = ( 0.00815 Ta + 0.8912 )7 (2-36)
in which Δ is given in millibars per degree Celsius, and Ta = air temperature, in degrees Celsius. This
formula is applicable for air temperatures greater than -25 oC.
The psychrometric parameter γ is directly proportional to atmospheric pressure and inversely

proportional to the latent heat of vaporization. At standard (sea level) atmospheric pressure, γ varies
slightly with temperature, as shown in Table 2-6.
Equation 2-35 can also be expressed as follows:
α En + Ea
E= ________________ (2-37)
α + 1
in which α = Δ/γ, a function of air temperature. Values of α (with Δ based on Eq. 2-36) are shown in
Table 2-6.
Table 2-6 Values of γ and α as a function

of air temperature.
Ta (oC) γ (mb / oC )1 α
0 0.655 0.683
5 0.658 0.928
10 0.661 1.246
15 0.664 1.654
20 0.668 2.166
25 0.671 2.812
30 0.674 3.616
35 0.677 4.607
40 0.681 5.813
1 At standard (sea level) atmospheric pressure.
The mass-transfer evaporation rate Ea is evaluated with an appropriate mass transfer equation. For
instance, the following formula has been proposed by Dunne [17]:
100 - φ
E = ( 0.013 + 0.00016 v2 ) eo ____________ (2-38)
100
in which Ea = mass-transfer evaporation rate, in centimeters per day; v2 = wind velocity, measured at
a 2-m depth, in kilometers per day; eo = saturation vapor pressure at the overlying air temperature, in
millibars; and φ = relative humidity, in percent.
Other Penman-type equations have been developed over the past 50 years. For instance, the
National Weather Service has developed a Penman-type equation for estimating evaporation based
on mean daily air temperature and dew point, wind movement per day, and solar radiation [49, 51].
More recent examples are represented by the Penman-Monteith [56] and Shuttleworth-Wallace
equations [74] (see following section: Evapotranspiration).
Example 2-4.
Calculate evaporation rate by the Penman method for the month of January, for the following atmospheric
conditions: Standard atmospheric pressure; air temperature Ta = 20oC; net radiation Qn = 550 cal/cm2/d;
wind speed (at 2-m above surface) v2 = 200 km/d; relative humidity φ = 70 percent.
From Table A-1 (Appendix A), the saturation vapor pressure at the air temperature of 20oC is: eo = 23.37
millibars. The mass-transfer evaporation rate is calculated by Eq. 2-38: Ea = 0.316 cm/d. From Table A-1,
the heat of vaporization at 20oC is = 586 cal/g. Equation 2-23 is used to convert the net radiation to
evaporation rate units: En = 550 cal/cm2/d /(0.998 g/cm3 × 586 cal/g) = 0.94 cm/d. Penman's ratio for Ta =
20oC is obtained from Table 2-6: α = 2.166. The daily evaporation rate is calculated by Eq. 2-37:
E = 0.743 cm/d. The evaporation for the month of January is: 0.743 × 31 d = 23 cm.
ONLINE CALCULATION. Using ONLINE PENMAN, the answer is: Daily ETo = 0.743 cm/d;
monthly ETo (January) = 23 cm.
Evaporation Determinations Using Pans. Uncertainty in the applicability of the various evaporation
formulas has led to the indirect measurement of evaporation using evaporation pans. An evaporation
pan is a device designed to measure evaporation by monitoring the loss of water in the pan during a
given time period, usually 1 d. It provides a measurement of the integrated effect of net radiation,
wind, temperature and humidity on the evaporation from an open surface.
Evaporation pans vary widely in size, shape, materials, and exposure. The pan measurement is likely
to be somewhat different from the actual amount of lake evaporation. The ratio of lake-to-pan
evaporation is an empirical constant referred to as the pan coefficient. Evaporation measurements
using pans are discussed in Chapter 3.
Evapotranspiration
Evapotranspiration is the process by which water in the land surface, soil, and vegetation is converted
into vapor state and returned to the atmosphere. It consists of evaporation from water, soil,
vegetative, and other surfaces and includes transpiration by vegetation. In this sense,
evapotranspiration encompasses all the water converted into vapor and returned to the atmosphere
and, therefore, it is an important component in the long-term water balance of a catchment.
Fig. 2-24 Evapotranspiration.
Transpiration is the process by which plants transfer water from the root zone to the leaf surface,
where it eventually evaporates into the atmosphere. The process by which transpiration takes place
can be described as follows:
Osmotic pressures at the root zone act to move water into the roots. Once inside the root, water
is transported through the plant stem to the intercellular spaces located within the leaves. Air
enters the leaves through small surface openings called stoma, plural stomata (Fig. 2-25).
Chloroplasts within the leaves use carbon dioxide from the air and a small portion of the
available water to manufacture the carbohydrates necessary for plant growth. As air enters the
leaf, water escapes through the open stomata and reaches the leaf surface, where it becomes
available for evaporation.
The ratio of water transpired and eventually vaporated to that actually used in plant growth is very
large, up to 800:1 or more [53].
Fig. 2-25 Stoma in a tomato leaf seen through

an electron microscope.
Transpiration is a part of plant life and, therefore, it is a continuous process, occurring with or without
the presence of precipitation. During a storm, however, interception amounts may use some of the
energy available for evaporation, thereby reducing the amount of transpiration. The extent of this
effect varies with vegetation type.
Transpiration is also limited by the rate at which moisture becomes available to the plants. Some
authorities believe that transpiration is independent of the available soil moisture as long as the latter
is above the permanent wilting point, i.e., the soil moisture at which permanent wilting would occur.
Others assume that transpiration is roughly proportional to the prevailing soil moisture.
Transpiration rates and amounts vary widely, depending on vegetation type, depth of root zone, and
extent and density of vegetative cover (Fig. 2-26). Measurements of transpiration are difficult and are
usually possible only under highly controlled circumstances. Since transpiration results in
evaporation, transpiration amounts are a function of the same meteorological and climatic factors that
control evaporation rates. In practice, transpiration is combined with evaporation and expressed as
evapotranspiration, which includes all the water converted into vapor and returned to the atmosphere.
Fig. 2-26 Transpiration.
In evapotranspiration studies, the concept of potential evapotranspiration (PET) attributed to

Thornthwaite [78] is widely used. Potential evapotranspiration is the amount of evapotranspiration
that would take place under the assumption of an ample supply of moisture at all times. Therefore,
PET is an indication of optimum crop water requirements. In contrast to potential evapotranspiration,
actual evapotranspiration is the amount that would take place when water is limiting.
Doorenbos and Pruitt [16] introduced the concept of reference crop evapotranspiration ETo, which is
similar to that of potential evapotranspiration. Reference crop evapotranspiration is the rate of
evapotranspiration from an extended surface of 8- to 15-cm tall green grass cover of uniform height,
actively growing, completely shading the ground, and not short of water. Therefore, the reference
crop evapotranspiration can be taken as the potential evapotranspiration of the reference crop (short
green grass).
Potential evapotranspiration is equivalent to the evaporation that would occur on a free water surface
of extended proportions but of negligible heat storage capacity [50]. Therefore, methods used to
calculate potential evapotranspiration resemble the methods used to calculate evaporation. Like
evaporation, there are many methods of calculating potential evapotranspiration, each having its own
range of applicability. Data requirements vary widely, reflecting the assumptions used in their
development.
Most potential evapotranspiration formulas are empirical, dependent upon the known correlation
between potential evapotranspiration and one or more meteorological or climatic variables such as
radiation, temperature, wind velocity, and vapor pressure difference. Other formulas relate
evapotranspiration to direct measurements of water losses using evaporation pans. Models of
evapotranspiration and potential evapotranspiration can be grouped into:
1. Temperature models,
2. Radiation models,
3. Combination models, and
4. Pan-evaporation models.
It is noted that, when applied to a given set of conditions, the various potential evapotranspiration
formulas usually give different estimates. These, however, do not vary widely, with the ratio of
maximum and minimum estimates fluctuating throughout the year and rarely exceeding 2:1. As with
any such calculation, regional or local experience is required when choosing an appropriate method
to calculate potential evapotranspiration.
Temperature Models to Estimate Evapotranspiration. The Blaney-Criddle formula [5, 6] is typical

of the temperature models for the estimation of evapotranspiration. The formula has been widely
used to estimate crop water requirements. Its original version, applicable on a monthly basis, has the
following form:
F = PT (2-39)
in which F = evapotranspiration for a given month, in inches; P = a day-length variable, defined as the
ratio of the total daytime hours for a given month to the total daytime hours in the year, a function of
latitude; and T = mean monthly temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit.
In SI units, applicable on a daily basis, the Blaney-Criddle formula is the following:
f = p ( 0.46 t + 8.13 ) (2-40)
in which f = daily consumptive use factor, in millimeters; p = the ratio of mean daily daytime hours for
a given month to the total daytime hours in the year, as a percent, a function of latitude (Table A-3,
Appendix A); and t = mean daily temperature for a given month in degrees Celsius.
For a given crop, the consumptive water requirement is the amount of water required to meet its
evapotranspiration needs without being limited by lack of water. The consumptive water requirement
is equal to the product of consumptive use factor f times an empirical consumptive use crop
coefficient kc .
Consumptive water requirements vary widely between climates having similar air temperatures and
day lengths. Therefore, the effect of climate on crop water requirements is not fully described by the
consumptive use factor f. The effect of climate can be incorporated into the crop coefficient kc .
Generally, the value of kc is time- and place-dependent, with local field experiments normally required
to determine its proper value.
Doorenbos and Pruitt [16] have proposed a correction to the Blaney-Criddle formula to account for
the following local climatic conditions:
1. The effect of actual insolation time (the ratio n/N of actual to maximum possible bright sunshine
hours),
2. Minimum relative humidity φmin in percent (or RH%), and
3. Daytime wind speed Ud (measured at a 2-m depth), in m/s.
Their equation, commonly known as the FAO Blaney-Criddle formula is:
ETo = a + b f (2-41)
in which ETo = reference crop evapotranspiration, and a and b are intercept and slope, respectively,
as shown in Fig. 2-27, for three chosen levels of actual insolation time (low, medium, and high),
minimum relative humidity (low, medium, and high), and daytime wind speed (light, moderate, and
strong).
Fig. 2-27 Doorenbos and Pruitt's modification of the Blaney-Criddle formula.
Based on Fig. 2-27, Frevert et al. [20] have developed regression equations for a and b:
a = 0.0043 φmin - n/N - 1.41 (2-41a)
b = 0.81917 - 0.0040922 φmin + 1.0705 n/N + 0.065649 Ud (2-41b)
- 0.0059684 φmin (n/N) - 0.0005967 φmin Ud
The consumptive water requirement for a given crop, ETc , can be calculated as follows:
ETc = kc ETo (2-42)
Approximate range of seasonal crop coefficients are shown in Table 2-7.
Table 2-7 (b) Seasonal crop coefficients.

Table 2-7 (a) Seasonal crop coefficients.
Crop kc
Crop kc
Onions 0.25 - 0.40

Alfalfa 0.90 - 1.05
Orange 0.60 - 0.75

Avocado 0.65 - 0.75
Potatoes 0.25 - 0.40

Bananas 0.90 - 1.05
Rice 0.45 - 0.65

Beans 0.20 - 0.25
Sorghum 0.30 - 0.45

Cocoa 0.95 - 1.10
Soybeans 0.30 - 0.45

Coffee 0.95 - 1.10
Sugar beets 0.50 - 0.65

Cotton 0.50 - 0.65
Sugarcane 1.05 - 1.20

Dates 0.85 - 1.10
Sweet potatoes 0.30 - 0.45

Deciduous trees 0.60 - 0.70
Tobacco 0.30 - 0.45

Flax 0.55 - 0.70
Tomatoes 0.30 - 0.45

Grains (small) 0.25 - 0.30
Vegetables 0.15 - 0.30

Grapefruit 0.70 - 0.85
Vineyards 0.30 - 0.55

Maize 0.30 - 0.45
Walnuts 0.65 - 0.75

Oil seeds 0.25 - 0.40
Example 2-6.
Calculate the reference crop evapotranspiration by the Blaney-Criddle method during the month of March
for a location at 35oN, with mean daily temperature of 18oC. Assume medium insolation time, medium
minimum relative humidity and moderate daytime wind speed.
From Table A-3 (Appendix A), p = 0.27. Using Eq. 2-40: f = 4.43 mm/d. From Fig. 2- 27, for f = 4.43 and
medium actual insolation time, medium minimum relative humidity, and moderate daytime wind speed
(graph V, curve 2), ETo = 4.0 mm/d. For the month of March: ETo = 4.0 mm/d × 31 d = 124 mm.
ONLINE CALCULATION. Using ONLINE BLANEY-CRIDDLE, the answer is:

Daily ETo = 3.96 mm/d; monthly ETo (March) = 122.9 mm.
The Thornthwaite method is another widely used temperature model to estimate potential
evapotranspiration [78]. The method is based on an annual temperature efficiency index J, defined as
the sum of twelve (12) monthly values of heat index I. Each index I is a function of the mean monthly
temperature T, in degrees Celsius, as follows:
T
I = ( _____ ) 1.514 (2-43)
5
Evapotranspiration is calculated by the following formula:
10 T
PET (0) = 1.6 ( ______ )c (2-44)
J
in which PET (0) = potential evapotranspiration at 0o latitude, in centimeters per month; and c is an
exponent to be evaluated as follows:
c = 0.000000675 J 3 - 0.0000771 J 2 + 0.01792 J + 0.49239 (2-45)
At latitudes other than 0o, potential evapotranspiration is corrected to:
PET = K PET (0) (2-46)
in which K is a constant for each month of the year, varying as a function of latitude (see Table A-4,
Appendix A).
Example 2-7.
Calculate the potential evapotranspiration by the Thornthwaite formula during the month of July for a
geographic location at 30oN, with the following mean monthly temperatures, in degrees Celsius (January to
December): 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 22, 20, 16, 12, 10, 8.
The temperature efficiency index J is the sum of the 12 values of monthly heat index I (Eq. 2-43). Thus, J =
53.738. Using Eq. 2-45: c = 1.337. Using Eq. 2-44: PET (0) = 10.54 cm (July). From Table A-4 of Appendix
A, the constant K = 1.16. Using Eq. 2-46, the PET = 12.226 cm (July).
ONLINE CALCULATION. Using ONLINE THORNTHWAITE, the potential evapotranspiration for

the month of July is: ETo = 12.227 cm.
Radiation Models. Priestley and Taylor [67] proposed that potential evapotranspiration be taken as
the radiation part of the Penman equation (Eq. 2-35 with Ea = 0) affected with an empirical constant.
Priestley and Taylor's formula is the following:
1.26 Δ [ Qn / (ρ H ) ]
PET = ________________________ (2-47a)
Δ + γ
in which PET = potential evapotranspiration, in centimeters per day; Qn = net radiation, in calories per
square centimeter per day; Δ is the gradient defined by Eqs. 2-33 and 2-36; and γ is the
psychrometric parameter (Table 2-6). Equation 2-47a can also be expressed as follows:
1.26 α [ Qn / (ρ H ) ]
PET = ________________________ (2-47b)
α + 1
in which the constant α can be obtained from Table 2-6.
Recent evaluation of the Priestley-Taylor formula has confirmed its applicability to humid climates. For
better estimates in arid climates, the value of the empirical constant should be taken as 1.74 instead
of 1.26 [75].
Example 2-8.
Calculate the potential evapotranspiration rate for the month of April by the Priestley-Taylor formula,
applicable to an arid climate. Assume Ta = 20oC and Qn = 600 cal/cm2/d.
For the given temperature, the density and heat of vaporization of water are: ρ = 0.998 g/cm3, and H = 586
cal/g, respectively (Table A-1, Appendix A). Therefore, the net radiation in evaporation rate units (from Eq.
2-23) is: En = 600 / (0.998 × 586) = 1.026 cm/d. From Table 2-6: α = 2.166. Using Eq. 2.47, but instead
affected with the constant 1.74 (arid climate), the daily potential evapotranspiration is: PET = 1.221 cm/d.
The monthly potential evapotranspiration is: PET (April) = 1.221 × 30 = 36.63 cm.
ONLINE CALCULATION. Using ONLINE PRIESTLEY-TAYLOR, the answer is:

Daily ETo = 1.221 cm/d; monthly ETo (April) = 36.63 cm.
Combination Models. The Penman model is typical of the combination models (combining energy
budget and mass-transfer approaches) for calculating potential evapotranspiration. The original
Penman model provided an estimate of evaporation from a free water surface. Experimental values of
crop coefficients were initially suggested by Penman to relate free water-surface evaporation to
evapotranspiration [66]. These coefficients (0.6 in the winter and 0.8 in the summer) were intended to
be multiplied by the evaporation rate determined by Eq. 2-35 in order to obtain the equivalent
evapotranspiration rate. Other studies have suggested that free water-surface evaporation and
potential evapotranspiration are nearly equal and that Eq. 2-35 slightly overestimates lake
evaporation [10].
The question of whether free water surface evaporation and potential evapotranspiration can be
calculated by the same formula is a matter of great practical interest. Differences in nature and
behavior of the surfaces may be considered to affect either the radiation or mass transfer terms of
Eq. 2-35. For instance, the differences in albedo can be substantial. For most farm crops, the value of
albedo is close to 0.25 [56]. The albedo of a free water surface, however, is only about 0.05 to 0.07
for sun altitudes above 55� [81]. This alone would justify greater values for the radiation term of free
water-surface evaporation as compared to that of evapotranspiration. On the other hand, judging from
turbulence theory, the mass transfer term of Eq. 2-35 is greater for rougher surfaces such as crops
and vegetation and smaller for smoother surfaces such as those of free water. The two terms of Eq.
2-35 may well compensate each other at least partially. The radiation term would be greater for free
water surface evaporation, whereas the mass-transfer term appears to be greater for potential
evapotranspiration [10].
Pan-evaporation Models. Evaporation pans provide a measurement of the integrated effect of

radiation, wind, temperature, and humidity on evaporation from an open surface. Plants and
vegetation respond to the same climatic conditions, but several factors produce significant differences
in the loss of water. The albedo from water surfaces is in the range 0.03 - 0.10, whereas that of most
vegetative surfaces is in the range 0.12 - 0.30 (Table 2-5). Daytime storage of heat within the pan can
be appreciable and may cause almost equal distribution of evaporation between night and day,
whereas most crops experience 95 percent of their evaporation during daytime hours. In addition, the
siting of the pan and the pan environment influence the measured evaporation, especially when the
pan is placed in cropped rather than fallow fields. Notwithstanding these deficiencies, with proper
siting and maintenance and the use of standard equipment, evaporation pans are still warranted for
the prediction of crop water requirements.
The basic pan-evaporation formula is the following:
PET = Kp Ep (2-48)
in which PET = potential evapotranspiration; Kp = pan coefficient; and Ep = pan evaporation.
The most common evaporation pans are the NWS Class A pan and the Colorado sunken pan. The
NWS Class A pan is circular, 122 cm in diameter and 25.4 cm deep, made of galvanized iron (22
gage) or Monel® metal (0.8 mm). The pan is mounted on a wooden open-frame platform with its
bottom 15 cm above ground level. The soil is built up to within 5 cm of the bottom of the pan, and the
pan must be leveled. It is filled with water 5 cm below the rim, and water level is maintained within 7.5
cm below the rim (Fig. 2-28).
Fig. 2-28 Class A evaporation pan (benmeadows.com).
The Colorado sunken pan is sometimes preferred in crop water-requirement studies because these
pans tend to yield a better estimate of reference crop evapotranspiration than the NWS Class A pan.
The pan's cross section is a square of side 920 mm and depth 460 mm. It is made of galvanized iron
and set in the ground with the rim 50 mm above ground level (Fig. 2-29). The water inside the pan is
maintained at or slightly below ground level.
Fig. 2-29 Sketch of Colorado sunken pan.
The pan evaporation approach has been widely used in the determination of potential
evapotranspiration. Stanhill [76], for example, concluded that the Class A evaporation pan was the
most promising method for estimating potential evapotranspiration. Doorenbos and Pruitt [16] have
given guidelines for choosing an appropriate value of pan coefficient for several climatic and site
conditions (see Table 2-8).
Table 2-8 Pan coefficient Kp for NWS Class A pan [16].
Pan surrounded by Pan surrounded by

short green crop dry fallow land 1
Relative
Low Medium High Low Medium High
humidity
40 40-70 70 40 40-70 70
(%)
Upwind
Upwind
Wind distance
distance
speed of dry
of green
(km/d) fallow
crop (m)
(m)
0 0.55 0.65 0.75 0 0.70 0.80 0.85
Light 10 0.65 0.75 0.85 10 0.60 0.70 0.80

(less
than 175) 100 0.70 0.80 0.85 100 0.55 0.65 0.75
1000 0.75 0.85 0.85 1000 0.50 0.60 0.70
0 0.50 0.60 0.65 0 0.65 0.75 0.80
Moderate 10 0.60 0.70 0.75 10 0.55 0.65 0.70

(175-
425) 100 0.65 0.75 0.80 100 0.50 0.60 0.65
1000 0.70 0.80 0.80 1000 0.45 0.55 0.60
0 0.45 0.50 0.60 0 0.60 0.65 0.70
Strong 10 0.55 0.60 0.65 10 0.50 0.55 0.65

(425-
700) 100 0.60 0.65 0.70 100 0.45 0.50 0.60
1000 0.65 0.70 0.75 1000 0.40 0.45 0.55
0 0.40 0.45 0.50 0 0.50 0.60 0.65
Very 10 0.45 0.55 0.60 10 0.45 0.50 0.55

strong
(greater
than 700) 100 0.50 0.60 0.65 100 0.40 0.45 0.50
1000 0.55 0.60 0.65 1000 0.35 0.40 0.45
1For extensive areas of bare fallow soil and no agricultural development, pan coefficients are reduced by: (1) 20% under hot
windy condition; and (2) 5-10% for moderate wind, temperature, and humidity conditions.
2.3 CATCHMENT PROPERTIES
[Runoff] [Questions] [Problems] [References] • [Top] [Precipitation] [Hydrologic Abstractions]
S urface runoff in catchments occurs as a progression of the following forms, from small to large:
1. Overland flow,
2. Rill flow,
3. Gully flow,
4. Streamflow, and
5. River flow.
Overland flow is runoff that occurs during or immediately after a storm, in the form of sheet flow over
the land surface [Fig. 2-30 (a)]. Rill flow is runoff that occurs in the form of small rivulets, primarily by
concentration of overland flow. Gully flow is runoff that has concentrated into depths large enough so
that it has the erosive power to carve its own deep and narrow channel (b). Streamflow is
concentrated runoff originating in overland flow, rill flow, or gully flow and is characterized by well
defined channels or streams of sizable depth (c). Streams carry their flow into larger streams, which
flow into rivers to constitute river flow (d).
Fig. 2-30 (a) Overland flow. Fig. 2-30 (b) Gully flow.
Fig. 2-30 (c) Streamflow. Fig. 2-30 (d) River flow.
A catchment can range from as little as 1 ha (or acre) to millions of square kilometers (or square
miles). [The Amazon basin is 6.915 million km2]. Small catchments (small watersheds) are those
where runoff is primarily controlled by overland flow processes. Large catchments (river basins) are
those where runoff is controlled by storage processes in the river channels. Between small and large
catchments, there is a wide range of catchment sizes with runoff characteristics falling somewhere
between those of small and large catchments. In United States practice, midsize catchments are
referred to as either watersheds or basins, depending on their drainage area.
Regardless of their size, catchments can drain either inwards, into lakes (or seasonally dry lakes in
arid regions), or outwards, and head toward the ocean. Catchments draining inwards have endorheic
(or inland continental) drainages (Fig. 2-31). Catchments draining outwards have exorheic (or
peripheral continental) drainages. Exorheic drainages have a catchment outlet or mouth at the point
of delivery to the next largest stream, and ultimately, to the ocean.
Fig. 2-31 The Great Basin, the largest endorheic basin

in the United States.
The hydrologic characteristics of a catchment are described in terms of the following properties:
(1) area, (2) shape, (3) relief, (4) linear measures, (5) topology, (6) density, and (7) drainage patterns.
Catchment Area
Area, or drainage area, is perhaps the most important catchment property. It determines the potential
runoff volume, provided the storm covers the whole area. The catchment divide is the loci of points
delimiting two adjacent catchments, i.e., the collection of high points (peaks and saddles) separating
catchments draining into different outlets. Due to the effect of subsurface flow (groundwater flow), the
hydrologic catchment divide may not strictly coincide with the topographic catchment divide (Fig. 2-
32). The hydrologic divide, however, is less tractable than the topographic divide; therefore, the latter
is preferred for practical use.
Fig. 2-32 A river coming out of the ground (Huanuco, Peru).
The topographic divide is delineated on a quadrangle sheet or other suitable topographic map. The
direction of surface runoff is perpendicular to the contour lines. All peaks and saddles are identified at
the outset (Fig. 2-33). Runoff from a peak is in all directions; runoff from a saddle is in the two
opposing directions perpendicular to the saddle axis. The catchment divide is delineated by joining
peaks and saddles with a line which remains perpendicular to the topographic contour. The area
enclosed within the topographic divide is measured to determine the catchment area.
Fig. 2-33 Delineation of watershed boundary in Campo Creek, Southeast San Diego County,
California (peaks and saddles are shown as purple dots).
In general, the larger the catchment area, the greater the amount of surface runoff and, consequently,
the greater the surface flows. Several formulas have been proposed to relate peak flow to catchment
area (Chapter 7). A basic formula is:
Qp = c A n (2-49)
in which Qp = peak flow, A = catchment area, and c and n are parameters to be determined by
regression analysis. Other peak flow methods base their calculations on peak flow per unit area, for
instance, the TR-55 method (Chapter 5).
Catchment Shape
Catchment shape is the outline described by the horizontal projection of a catchment. Horton [28]
described the outline of a normal catchment as a pear-shaped ovoid. Large catchments, however,
vary widely in shape. A quantitative description is provided by the following formula [26]:
A
Kf = _______
(2-50)
L2
in which Kf = form ratio, A = catchment area, and L = catchment length, measured along the longest
watercourse. Area and length are given in consistent units such as square kilometers and kilometers,
respectively.
An alternate description is based on catchment perimeter rather than area. For this purpose, an
equivalent circle is defined as a circle of area equal to that of the catchment. The compactness ratio
is the ratio of the catchment perimeter to that of the equivalent circle. This leads to:
0.282 P
Kc = ____________
(2-51)
A 1/2
in which Kc = compactness ratio, P = catchment perimeter, and A = catchment area, with P and A
given in any consistent set of units.
Hydrologic response refers to the relative concentration and timing of runoff (Fig. 2-34). The role of
catchment shape in hydrologic response has not been clearly established. Other things being equal,
a high form ratio (Eq. 2-50) or a compactness ratio close to 1 (Eq. 2-51) describes a catchment
having a fast and peaked catchment response. Conversely a low form ratio or a compactness ratio
much larger than 1 describes a catchment with a delayed runoff response. However, many other
factors, including catchment relief, vegetative cover, and drainage density are usually more important
than catchment shape, with their combined effect not readily discernible.
Fig. 2-34 Hydrologic response of La Leche river basin, Lambayeque, Peru.
Catchment Relief
Relief is the elevation difference between two reference points. Maximum catchment relief is the
elevation difference between the highest point in the catchment divide (Fig. 2-35) and the catchment
outlet. The principal watercourse (or main stream) is the central and largest watercourse of the
catchment and the one conveying the runoff to the outlet. Relief ratio is the ratio of maximum
catchment relief to the catchment's longest horizontal straight distance measured in a direction
parallel to that of the principal watercourse. The relief ratio is a measure of the intensity of the
erosional processes active in the catchment.
Fig. 2-35 Highest point in the Missouri river basin, along the border
between Montana and Idaho (click -here- to display).
The overall relief of a catchment is described by hypsometric analysis [52]. This refers to a
dimensionless curve showing the variation with elevation of the catchment subarea above that
elevation (Fig. 2-36). To develop this curve, the elevation of the highest or maximum point in the
catchment divide, corresponding to 0 percent area, is identified. Also, the elevation of the lowest or
minimum point of the catchment, corresponding to 100 percent area, is identified. Subsequently,
several elevations located between maximum and minimum are selected, and the subareas above
each one of these elevations determined by measuring along the respective topographic contour
lines. The elevations are converted to height above minimum elevation and expressed in percentage
of the maximum height. Likewise, the subareas above each one of the elevations are expressed as
percentages of total catchment area. The hypsometric curve shows percent area in the abscissas and
percent height in the ordinates (Fig. 2-36). The median elevation of the catchment is obtained from
the percent height corresponding to 50 percent area.
Fig. 2-36 A hypsometric curve.
The hypsometric curve is used when a hydrologic variable such as precipitation, vegetative cover, or
snowfall shows a marked tendency to vary with altitude. In such cases, the hypsometric curve
provides the quantitative means to evaluate the effect of altitude.
Other measures of catchment relief are based on stream and channel characteristics. The
longitudinal profile of a channel is a plot of elevation versus horizontal distance (Fig. 2-37). At a given
point in the profile, the elevation is usually a mean value of the channel bed. Between any two points,
the channel gradient (or channel slope) is the ratio of elevation difference to horizontal distance
separating them.
Fig. 2-37 Typical shape of the longitudinal profile of streams and rivers.
In the absence of geologic controls, longitudinal profiles of streams and rivers are usually concave
upward, i.e. , they show a persistent decrease in channel gradient in the downstream direction as the
flow moves from mountain streams to river valleys and into the ocean (Fig. 2-37). The reason for this
downstream decrease in channel gradient requires careful analysis. It is known that channel
gradients are directly related to bottom friction and inversely related to flow depth. Typically, small
mountain streams have high values of bottom friction (due to the presence of cobbles and boulders in
the stream bed) and small depths [[Fig. 2-38 (a)]. Conversely, large rivers have comparatively lower
values of bottom friction and larger depths [Fig. 2-38 (b)]. This interaction of channel gradient and
bottom friction helps explain the typical decrease in channel gradient in the downstream direction.
Fig. 2-38 (a) Rachichuela Creek, Lambayeque, Peru.

Fig. 2-38 (b) Mouth of the Amazon river, Amapa, Brazil.
Convex channel bed profiles (Fig. 2-39) are caused by tectonism, uplift, geologic controls, or rock
outcrops predominating over an otherwise alluvial channel morphology in equilibrium. These convex
stream profiles usually lead to sediment deposition upstream of the outcrop, and to channel erosion
immediately downstream.
Fig. 2-39 Bed profile of El Barbon-Guadalupe Creek, Baja California, Mexico.
Channels gradients are usually expressed in dimensionless units. For convenience, they can be also
expressed in m km-1, cm km-1, or ft mi-1. In nature, channel gradients vary widely, from higher than 0.1
in very steep mountain streams [see, for instance, Fig. 2-38 (a)], to less than 0.000006 in large tidal
rivers [19].
In certain unusual geomorphological settings, inland rivers may feature very small channel gradients;
for instance, the Upper Paraguay river near Porto Murtinho, Brazil, which has an average channel
slope of 2 cm km-1 (S = 0.00002) (Fig. 2-40).
Fig. 2-40 Upper Paraguay river near Porto Murtinho, Brazil.
The channel gradient of a principal watercourse is a convenient indicator of catchment relief. A

longitudinal profile is defined by its maximum (upstream) and minimum (downstream) elevations, and
by the horizontal distance between them (Fig. 2-41). The channel gradient obtained directly from the
upstream and downstream elevations is referred to as the S1 slope.
A somewhat more representative measure of channel gradient is the S2 slope, defined as the
constant slope that makes the shaded area above it equal to the shaded area below it (Fig. 2-41). An
expedient way to calculate the S2 slope is to equate the total area below it to the total area below the
longitudinal profile.
Fig. 2-41 Sketch of S1 and S2 channel gradients.
A measure of channel gradient which takes into account the basin response time is the equivalent
slope, or S3. To calculate this slope the channel is divided into n subreaches, and a slope is
calculated for each subreach. Based on Manning's equation (Section 2.4), the time of flow travel
through each subreach is assumed to be inversely proportional to the square root of its slope.
Likewise, the time of travel through the whole channel is assumed to be inversely proportional to the
square root of the equivalent slope. This leads to the following equation:
Σ Li
i=1
S3 = [ _______________ ]2 (2-52)
n
Σ ( Li / Si 1/2 )
i=1
in which S3 = equivalent slope, Li = each i of n subreach lengths, and Si = each i of n subreach

slopes.
Grid methods are often used to obtain measures of land surface slope for runoff evaluations in small
and midsize catchments. For instance, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
determines average surface slope by overlaying a square grid pattern over the topographic map of
the watershed [79]. The maximum surface slope at each grid intersection is evaluated, and the
average of all values calculated. This average is taken as the representative value of land surface
slope (Fig. 2-42).
Fig. 2-42 Grid overlay to determine land surface slope.
Example 2-9.
Given a longitudinal profile with the following distances and elevations, calculate the slopes S1, S2, and S3.
Distance (m) 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000
Elevation (m) 900 910 930 960 1000
The maximum and minimum elevations are 1000 and 900 m, respectively. The horizontal distance between
them is 20,000 m. Therefore, S1 = 100 / 20,000 = 0.005. With reference to Fig. 2-41, S2 = Y / 20,000. The
area under the longitudinal profile is 750,000 m2. The area under S2 is: 20,000 Y / 2 = 10,000 Y. Therefore,
Y = 75 m, and S2 = 75 / 20,000 = 0.00375. The individual reaches are all 5000 m long, and the individual
slopes are 0.002, 0.004, 0.006, and 0.008 respectively. The application of Eq. 2-52 leads to S3 = 0.0041.
The results are shown in Fig. 2-43.
Fig. 2-43 S1, S2, and S3 channel gradients.

Linear Measures
Linear measures are used to describe the one-dimensional features of a catchment. For instance, for
small catchments, the overland flow length Lo is the distance of surface runoff that is not confined to
any clearly defined channel.
The catchment length (or hydraulic length) L is the length measured along the principal watercourse
(Fig. 2-44). The principal watercourse (or main stream) is the central and largest watercourse of the
catchment and the one conveying the flow to the outlet.
Fig. 2-44 Linear measures of a catchment.
The length to catchment centroid Lc is the length measured along the principal watercourse, from the
catchment outlet to a point located closest to the catchment centroid (point G in Fig. 2-44). In
practice, the catchment centroid is estimated as the intersecting point of two or more straight lines
that bisect the catchment area in approximately equal subareas.
Basin Topology
Basin topology refers to the regional anatomy of the stream network. Distributed rainfall-runoff
modeling (Chapter 10) requires the hierarchical description of stream connectivity, i.e., of its topology.
Stream Order. The concept of stream order classifies streams in a network following a hierarchical
numbering system. Overland flow can be considered as a hypothetical stream of zero order. A first-
order stream is that receiving flow from zero-order streams, i.e., overland flow. Two first-order
streams combine to form a second-order stream. In general, two m-order streams combine to form a
stream of order m + 1. The catchment's stream order is the order of the most-downstream main stem
(Fig. 2-45).
Fig. 2-45 Concept of stream order. / Concepto de orden arroyo.
A catchment's stream order is directly related to its size. Large catchments may have stream orders
of 10 or more. The evaluation of stream order is highly sensitive to map scale. Therefore,
considerable care is needed when using stream order analysis in comparative studies of catchment
behavior.
Pfasfstetter Coding System. The Pfafstetter coding system is a widely accepted methodology for
the description of watershed/basin topology. The system describes the regional anatomy of a stream
network using a hierarchical arrangement of decimal digits.
A Level 0 catchment corresponds to a continental-scale size or, alternatively, one that drains into the
ocean. Higher levels represent progressively finer subdivisions of the Level 0 catchment.
Theoretically, the system is not limited in the number n of levels. In practice, however, n = 6 to 8
levels are usually sufficient. At each level, each watershed is assigned a specific integer m, varying
from m = 0 to 9, based on its location and function within the drainage network.
At each level, watersheds are assigned into three types: (1) basin, (2) interbasin, and
(3) internal basin (Table 2-9). A basin is a watershed that does not have upstream inflow. An
interbasin is a watershed that has upstream inflow from other watersheds, either basins or
interbasins. An internal basin is a watershed that does not have outflow, i.e., it refers to an endorheic
or closed basin.
Table 2-9 Subdivision in Pfafstetter Coding System.
No. Type Inflow Outflow
1 Basin NO YES
2 Interbasin YES YES
3 Internal basin YES NO
For each level, from 1 to n, the assignment of Pfafstetter codes is performed as follows:
1. From the catchment outlet, trace upstream along the main stem, and identify the four (4)
tributaries with the largest drainage areas. The watersheds containing these four tributaries are
classified as basins and assigned even digits (m = 2, 4, 6, and 8) from downstream to
upstream.
2. The intervening watersheds, i.e., those contributing lateral inflow to the main stem, are
classified as interbasins and assigned odd digits (m = 1, 3, 5, and 7) from downstream to
upstream.
3. The last odd digit m = 9 is reserved for the headwater watershed, i.e., that tributary to interbasin
7.
4. The largest internal basin, if present, is assigned the number m = 0. Other internal basins, if
present, are incorporated into neighboring basins or interbasins.
Figure 2-46 shows a 3-level example of the Pfasfstetter coding system. For each level, say Level 3,
the assigned digits (XYm) are appended on to the Level 2 code (XY). For instance, watershed 849 is
watershed 8 of Level 1 (coarser), watershed 4 of Level 2 (intermediate), and watershed 9 of Level 3
(finer).
Fig. 2-46 The Pfafstetter coding system for watershed identification (Click -here- to display).
Drainage Density
The catchment's drainage density is the ratio of total stream length (the sum of the lengths of all
streams) to catchment area. A high drainage density reflects a fast and peaked runoff response,
whereas a low drainage density is characteristic of a delayed runoff response.
The mean overland flow length is approximately equal to half the mean distance between stream
channels. Therefore, it can be approximated as one-half of the reciprocal of drainage density:
1
Lo = _______ (2-53)
2D
in which Lo = mean overland flow length, and D = drainage density. This approximation neglects the
effect of ground and channel slope, which makes the actual mean overland flow length longer than
that estimated by Eq. 2-53. The following equation can be used to estimate overland flow length more
precisely:
1
Lo = _________________________ (2-54)
2D [ 1 - (Sc /Ss) ] 1/2
in which Sc = mean channel slope, and Ss = mean surface slope.
Drainage Patterns
Drainage patterns in catchments vary widely. The more intricate patterns are an indication of high
drainage density. Drainage patterns reflect geologic, soil, and vegetation effects (Fig. 2-47) and are
often related to hydrologic properties such as runoff response or annual water yield. Types of
drainage patterns that are recognizable on aerial photographs are shown in Fig. 2-48 [30].
Fig. 2-47 Drainage patterns as affected by local geology.
Fig. 2-48 Drainage patterns recognizable on aerial photographs.
2.4 RUNOFF
[Questions] [Problems] [References] • [Top] [Precipitation] [Hydrologic Abstractions] [Catchment Properties]
S urface runoff, or simply runoff, refers to all the waters flowing on the surface of the earth, either
by overland sheet flow or by channel flow in rills, gullies, streams, or rivers. Surface runoff is a
continuous process by which water is constantly flowing from higher to lower elevations by the action
of gravitational forces. Small streams combine to form larger streams which eventually grow into
rivers. In time, rivers carry their flow into the ocean, completing the hydrologic cycle.
Runoff is expressed in terms of volume or flow rate. The units of runoff volume are cubic meters,
cubic feet, or acre-feet. Flow rate (or discharge) is the volume per unit of time passing through a
given area. It is expressed in cubic meters per second or cubic feet per second. Flow rate usually
varies in time; therefore, its value at any time is the instantaneous or local flow rate. The local flow
rate can be averaged over a period of time to give the average value for that period. The local flow
rate can be integrated over a period of time to give the accumulated runoff volume, as follows:
∀ = ∫ Q dt = Σ Q Δt (2-55)
in which ∀= runoff volume, Q = flow rate, t = time, and Δt = increment of time.
In engineering hydrology, runoff is commonly expressed in depth units. This is accomplished by

dividing the runoff volume by the catchment area to obtain an equivalent runoff depth distributed over
the entire catchment.
For certain applications, runoff is alternatively expressed in terms of either: (1) peak flow per unit
drainage area, (2) peak flow per unit runoff depth, or (3) peak flow per unit drainage area per unit
runoff depth. In the first case, the units are cubic meters per second per square kilometer; in the
second case, cubic meters per second per centimeter; in the third case, cubic meters per second per
square kilometer per centimeter.
Runoff Components
Runoff may consist of water from three sources:
1. Surface flow,
2. Interflow, and
3. Groundwater flow.
Surface flow is the product of effective rainfall, i.e., total rainfall minus hydrologic abstractions.
Surface flow is also called direct runoff. Direct runoff has the capability to produce large flow
concentrations in a relatively short period of time. Therefore, direct runoff is largely responsible for
flood flows.
Interflow is subsurface flow , i.e., flow that takes place in the vadose zone, i.e., in the unsaturated soil
layers located beneath the ground surface (Fig. 2-49). Interflow consists of the lateral movement of
water and moisture toward lower elevations, and it includes some of the precipitation abstracted by
infiltration. It is characteristically a slow process, but eventually a fraction of the interflow volumes flow
into streams and rivers. Typically, the quantities of interflow are relatively small compared to the
quantities of surface and groundwater flow.
Fig. 2-49 The vadose zone.
Groundwater flow takes place below the groundwater table in the form of saturated flow through
alluvial deposits and other water-bearing geologic formations located beneath the soil mantle
(Fig. 2-50) (Chapter 11). Groundwater flow includes the portion of infiltrated volume that has reached
the water table by percolation from the overlying soils. Like interflow, groundwater flow is
characteristically a slow process. Like surface runoff, groundwater flow is a continuous process, with
water constantly moving to lower elevations (or to zones of lower potential). Most groundwater flow is
eventually intercepted by streams and rivers, discharging into them. A small portion of groundwater
flow, particularly that flowing at great depths, slowly makes its way into the nearest ocean. The
average global residence time of groundwater is 1400 years [**].
Fig. 2-50 General direction of groundwater flow (U.S. Geological Survey).
Stream Types and Baseflow
Streams may be grouped into three types:
1. Perennial,
2. Ephemeral, and
3. Intermittent.
Perennial streams are those that always have flow. During dry weather (i.e., absence of rain), the flow
of perennial streams is baseflow, consisting mostly of groundwater flow intercepted by the stream.
Streams that feed from groundwater reservoirs are called effluent streams. Perennial and effluent
streams are typical of subhumid and humid regions [(Fig. 2-51 (a)].
Ephemeral streams are those that have flow only in direct response to precipitation, i.e., during and
immediately following a major storm. Ephemeral streams do not intercept groundwater flow and,
therefore, have no baseflow. Instead, ephemeral streams usually contribute to groundwater by
seepage through their porous channel beds. Streams that feed water into groundwater reservoirs are
called influent streams. Channel abstractions from influent streams are referred to as channel
transmission losses. Ephemeral and influent streams are typical of arid and semiarid environments
[(Fig. 2-51 (b)].
Intermittent streams are those of mixed characteristics, behaving as perennial at certain times of the
year and ephemeral at other times. Depending on seasonal conditions, these streams may feed to or
from the groundwater [(Fig. 2-51 (c) and (d)].
Fig. 2-51 (a) Perennial stream: Fig. 2-51 (b) Ephemeral stream:
Indian Creek, California. Mojave river, California.
Fig. 2-51 (c) Intermittent stream: Fig. 2-51 (d) Intermittent stream:
Rosarito Creek, Baja California. Gila river, Arizona.
Baseflow estimates are important in dry weather hydrology; for instance, in the calculation of the total
runoff volume produced by a catchment in a year, referred to as the annual water yield. In flood
hydrology, baseflow is used to separate surface runoff into: (a) direct, and (b) indirect runoff. Indirect
runoff is surface runoff originating in interflow and groundwater flow. Baseflow is a measure of indirect
runoff.
Surface runoff and Baseflow. In practice, surface runoff may or may not include baseflow. The term
"surface runoff" is often used at the watershed scale to refer to direct runoff, excluding baseflow. Yet,
at the basin scale, estimates of surface water yield typically include both direct runoff and baseflow.
The confusion is frequently a source of error in hydrologic analysis. For instance, the NRCS runoff
curve number method (Chapter 5) was originally developed to calculate direct surface runoff from
small watersheds. Yet, over the years since its original inception, the method has also been used to
calculate surface runoff from larger watersheds, which may include baseflow.
Antecedent Moisture
Effective precipitation is the fraction of total precipitation that remains on the catchment surface after
all the hydrologic abstractions have taken place. During rainy periods, infiltration plays a major role in
abstracting total precipitation. Actual infiltration rates and amounts vary widely, being highly
dependent on the initial level of soil moisture. Soil moisture varies with the history of antecedent
rainfall, increasing with antecedent rainfall and decreasing with a lack of it. For a given storm, the
history of antecedent rainfall, which may have caused the soil moisture to depart from an average
state, is termed the "antecedent moisture" or "antecedent rainfall" condition. A catchment with low
initial soil moisture (e.g., a catchment drier than normal) is not conducive to high surface flow and
direct runoff. Conversely, a catchment with high initial soil moisture (e.g., a catchment wetter than
normal) is conducive to large quantities of surface flow and direct runoff (Fig. 2-52).
Fig. 2-52 A catchment with high antecedent moisture: Campo Creek, California,
on March 5, 2005, after a few days of heavy rain.
The recognition that direct runoff is a function of antecedent moisture has led to the concept of
antecedent precipitation index (API). The average moisture level in a catchment varies daily, being
replenished by precipitation and depleted by evaporation and evapotranspiration. The assumption of
a logarithmic depletion rate leads to a catchment's API for a day with no rain:
Ii = K I i-1 (2-56)
in which Ii = index for day i, Ii-1 index for day i -1, and K = a recession factor taken normally in the
range 0.85 ≤ K ≤ 0.98 [53]. If rain occurs in any day, the rainfall depth is added to the index. The index
at day zero (initial value) would have to be estimated. Likewise, the applicable value of K is
determined from either data or experience.
The API is directly related to runoff depth. The greater the value of the index, the greater the amount
of runoff. In practice, regression and other statistical tools are used to relate runoff to API. These
relations are invariably empirical and therefore strictly applicable only to the situation for which they
were derived.
Other measures of catchment moisture have been developed over the years. For instance, the
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NSCS) uses the concept of antecedent moisture condition
(AMC) (Chapter 5), grouping catchment moisture into three levels: AMC I, a dry condition; AMC II, an
average condition; and AMC III, a wet condition. Moisture conditions ranging from AMC II to AMC III
are normally used in hydrologic design.
Another example of the use of the concept of antecedent moisture is that of the SSARR model
(Chapter 13). The SSARR model computes runoff volume based on a relationship linking runoff
percent to a soil-moisture index (SMI), with precipitation intensity as a third variable. Runoff percent is
the ratio of runoff to rainfall, multiplied by 100. Such runoff-moisture-rainfall relation is empirical and,
therefore, is limited to the basin for which it was derived.
Rainfall-Runoff Relations
Rainfall can be measured in a relatively simple way. However, runoff measurements usually require
an elaborate streamgaging procedure (Chapter 3). This difference has led to rainfall data being more
widely available than runoff data. The typical catchment has many more raingages than streamgaging
stations, with the rainfall records likely to be longer than the streamflow records.
The fact that rainfall data is more readily available than runoff data has led to the calculation of runoff
by relying on rainfall data. Although this is an indirect procedure, it has proven its practicality in a
variety of applications.
A basic linear model of rainfall-runoff is the following:
Q = b ( P - Pa ) (2-57)
in which Q = runoff depth, P = rainfall depth, Pa = rainfall depth below which runoff is zero, and b =
slope of the line (Fig. 2-53). Rainfall depths smaller than Pa are completely abstracted by the
catchment, with runoff starting as soon as P exceeds Pa. To use Eq. 2-57 it is necessary to collect
several sets of rainfall-runoff data and to perform a linear regression to determine the values of b and
Pa (Chapter 7). The simplicity of Eq. 2-57 precludes it from taking into account other important runoff-
producing mechanisms such as rainfall intensity, infiltration rates, and/or antecedent moisture. In
practice, the correlation usually shows a wide range of variation, limiting its predictive ability.
Fig. 2-53 Basic linear model of rainfall-runoff.
The effect of infiltration rate and antecedent moisture on runoff is widely recognized. Several models
have been developed in an attempt to simulate these and other related processes. Typical of such
models is the NRCS runoff curve number model, which has had wide acceptance in engineering
practice. The NRCS model is based on a nonlinear rainfall-runoff relation that includes a third variable
(curve parameter) referred to as runoff curve number, or CN. In a particular application, the CN value
is determined by a detailed evaluation of soil type, vegetative and land use patterns, antecedent
moisture, and hydrologic condition of the catchment surface. The NRCS runoff curve number method
is described in Chapter 5.
Runoff Concentration
An important characteristic of surface runoff is its concentration property. To describe it, assume that
a storm falling on a given catchment produces a uniform effective rainfall intensity distributed over the
entire catchment area. In such a case, surface runoff eventually concentrates at the catchment outlet,
provided the effective rainfall duration is sufficiently long. Runoff concentration implies that the flow
rate at the outlet will gradually increase until rainfall from the entire catchment has had time to travel
to the outlet and is contributing to the flow at that point. At that time, the maximum, or equilibrium,
flow rate is reached, implying that the surface runoff has concentrated at the outlet. The time that it
takes a parcel of water to travel from the farthest point in the catchment divide to the catchment outlet
is referred to as the time of concentration.
The equilibrium flow rate is equal to the effective rainfall intensity times the catchment area:
Qe = Ie A (2-58)
in which Qe = equilibrium flow rate; Ie = effective rainfall intensity; and A = catchment area. This
equation is dimensionally consistent; however, a conversion factor is needed in the right-hand side to
account for the applicable units. For instance, in SI units, with Qe in liters per second, Ie in millimeters
per hour, and A in hectares, the conversion factor is 2.78. In U.S. customary units, with Qe in cubic
feet per second, Ie in inches per hour, and A in acres, the conversion factor is 1.008, which is often
neglected.
The process of runoff concentration can lead to three distinct types of catchment response. The first
type occurs when the effective rainfall duration is equal to the time of concentration. In this case, the
runoff concentrates at the outlet, reaching its maximum (equilibrium) rate after an elapsed time equal
to the time of concentration. Rainfall stops at this time, and subsequent flows at the outlet are no
longer concentrated because not all the catchment is contributing. Therefore, the flow gradually starts
to recede back to zero. Since it takes the time of concentration for the farthest runoff parcels to travel
to the outlet, the recession time is approximately equal to the time of concentration, as sketched in
Fig. 2-54. (In practice, due to nonlinearities, actual recession flows are usually asymptotic to zero).
This type of response is referred to as concentrated catchment flow.
Fig. 2-54 Concentrated catchment flow.
The second type of catchment response occurs when the effective rainfall duration exceeds the time
of concentration. In this case, the runoff concentrates at the outlet, reaching its maximum
(equilibrium) rate after an elapsed time equal to the time of concentration. Since rainfall continues to
occur, the whole catchment continues to contribute to flow at the outlet, and subsequent flows remain
concentrated and equal to the equilibrium value. After rainfall stops, the flow gradually recedes back
to zero. Since it takes the time of concentration for the farthest runoff parcels to travel to the outlet,
the recession time is approximately equal to the time of concentration, as shown in Fig. 2-55. This
type of response is referred to as superconcentrated catchment flow.
Fig. 2-55 Superconcentrated catchment flow.
The third type of response occurs when the effective rainfall duration is shorter than the time of
concentration. In this case the flow at the outlet does not reach the equilibrium value. After rainfall
stops, the flow recedes back to zero. The requirements that volume be conserved and recession time
be equal to the time of concentration lead to the idealized flat top response shown in Fig. 2-56. This
type of response is referred to as subconcentrated catchment flow.
Fig. 2-56 Subconcentrated catchment flow.
In practice, concentrated and superconcentrated flows are typical of small catchments, i.e., those
likely to have short times of concentration. On the other hand, subconcentrated flows are typical of
midsize and large catchments, i.e., those with longer times of concentration. Figure 2-57 shows
actual dimensionless hydrographs depicting the three types of catchment flows.
Fig. 2-57 Dimensionless hydrographs showing three types of catchment flow.
Time of Concentration. Hydrologic procedures for small catchments usually require an estimate of
the time of concentration (Chapter 4). However, precise estimations are generally difficult. For one
thing, time of concentration is a function of runoff rate; therefore, an estimate can only represent a
certain flow level, whether it be low flow, average flow, or high flow.
Several formulas for the calculation of time of concentration are available. Most are empirical in
nature and, therefore, of somewhat limited value. Nevertheless, a few are widely used in practice. An
alternate approach is to calculate time of concentration by dividing the principal watercourse into
several subreaches and assuming an appropriate flow level for each subreach. Subsequently, a
steady open-channel flow formula such as the Manning equation is used to calculate the mean
velocity and associated travel time through each subreach. The time of concentration for the entire
reach is the sum of the times of concentration of the individual subreaches. This procedure, while
practical, is based on several assumptions, including a flow-rate level, a prismatic channel, and
Manning's n values.
A limitation of the steady flow approach to the calculation of time of concentration is the fact that the
flow being considered is generally unsteady. This means that the speed of travel of the wavelike
features of the flow (i.e., the kinematic wave speed, Chapters 4 and 9) is greater than the mean
velocity calculated using steady flow principles (the Manning equation). For instance, for turbulent
flow in hydraulically wide channels, kinematic wave theory justifies a wave speed as much as 5/3
times the mean flow velocity, with a consequent reduction in travel time and associated time of
concentration. Yet, in many cases, the ratio between kinematic wave speed and mean flow velocity is
likely to be less than 5/3:1. In practice, the uncertainties involved in the computation of time of
concentration have contributed to a blurring of the distinction between the two speeds.
Formulas for Time of Concentration. Notwithstanding the inherent complexities, calculations of

time of concentration continue to be part of the routine practice of engineering hydrology. The time of
concentration is a key element in the rational method (Chapter 4) and other methods used to
calculate the runoff response of small catchments. Most formulas relate time of concentration to
suitable length, slope, roughness, and rainfall parameters [62]. A well-known formula which relates
time of concentration to length and slope parameters is the Kirpich formula, applicable to small
agricultural watersheds with drainage areas less than 8 acres (200 ha) [46]. In SI units, the Kirpich
formula is:
L 0.77
tc = 0.06628 ___________ (2-59)
S 0.385
in which tc = time of concentration, in hours; L = length of the principal watercourse, from divide to
outlet, in kilometers; and S = slope between maximum and minimum elevation (S1 slope), in meters
per meter. In U.S. customary units, with tc in minutes, L in feet and S in feet per foot, the coefficient of
Eq. 2-83 is 0.0078.
The Kerby-Hathaway formula relates time of concentration to length, slope, and roughness
parameters as follows [22]:
( L n ) 0.467
tc = 0.606 _______________ (2-60)
S 0.234
in which n is a roughness parameter and all other terms are the same as in Eq. 2-59, expressed in SI
units. Applicable values of n are given in Table 2-10.
Table 2-10 Value of roughness parameter n for use in

Eqs. 2-60 to 2-63 [10].
Type of surface n
Smooth impervious 0.02

Smooth bare-picked soil 0.10
Poor grass, row crops, or moderately rough bare

0.20
soil
Pasture 0.40
Deciduous timber land 0.60
Coniferous timber land, or deciduous timber land

0.80
with deep litter or grass
The Papadakis-Kazan formula [62] relates time of concentration to length, slope, roughness, and
rainfall parameters:
L 0.50 n 0.52
tc = 0.66 _________________ (2-61)
S 0.31 i 0.38
in which tc is in minutes; L is in feet; n is a roughness parameter; and i is the effective rainfall in

inches per hour.
A physically based approach to the calculation of time of concentration is possible by means of

overland flow techniques (Chapter 4). As a first approximation, time of concentration can be taken as
the time-to-equilibrium of kinematic overland flow (Eq. 4-50). Therefore:
(L n) 1/m
tc = ______________________ (2-62)
S 1/(2 m) i (m - 1)/m
in which tc is given in seconds; L is in meters; n is a roughness parameter, i is in m/s, and m =
exponent of the unit-width discharge-flow depth rating (q = b h m ).
For m = 5/3, applicable to turbulent Manning friction (in hydraulically wide channels), the kinematic
wave time of concentration is:
(L n) 0.6
tc = ______________ (2-63)
S 0.3 i 0.4
in which tc is in seconds; L is in meters; n is a roughness parameter; and i is the effective rainfall in

meters per second. The close resemblance of the exponents of Eqs. 2-61 and 2-63 is remarkable.
Example 2-10.
Use the Kirpich, Hathaway, Papadakis-Kazan, and kinematic wave formulas to estimate time of
concentration for a catchment with the following characteristics: L = 750 m, S = 0.01, n = 0.1, and i = 20
mm hr -1.
After conversion to the proper units, the application of Eq. 2-59 leads to tc = 0.3127 hr = 18.76 minutes.
The application of Eq. 2-60 leads to tc = 0.531 hr = 31.86 minute. The application of Eq. 2-61 leads to
tc = 45.13 minutes. The application of Eq. 2-62 leads to tc = 6716 seconds = 111.94 minutes.
ONLINE CALCULATION. Using ONLINE TIME OF CONCENTRATION, the answer is: Kirpich
⇒ tc = 18.76 minutes; Kerby-Hathaway ⇒ tc = 31.73 minutes; Papadakis-Kazan ⇒
tc = 45.13 minutes. Kinematic wave ⇒ tc = 111.95 minutes.
Runoff Diffusion and Streamflow Hydrographs
In nature, catchment response shows a more complex behavior than that which may be attributed
solely to runoff concentration. Theory and experimental evidence have shown that runoff rates are
governed by natural processes of convection and diffusion. Convection refers to runoff concentration;
diffusion is the mechanism acting to spread the flow rates in time and space.
The net effect of runoff diffusion is to reduce the flow rates to levels below those that could be
attained by convection only. In practice, diffusion acts to smooth out catchment response. The
resulting response function is usually continuous, and it is referred to as the streamflow hydrograph,
runoff hydrograph, or simply the hydrograph. Typical single-storm hydrographs have a shape similar
to that shown in Fig. 2-58. They are usually produced by storms with effective rainfall duration less
than the time of concentration. Therefore, they resemble subconcentrated catchment flow, albeit with
the addition of a small but perceptible amount of diffusion.
Fig. 2-58 Typical single-storm hydrograph.
The various elements in a typical single-storm hydrograph are shown in Fig. 2- 59. The zero time (or
starting time) depicts the beginning of the hydrograph. The hydrograph peak describes the maximum
flow rate. The time-to-peak is measured from zero time to the time at which the peak flow is attained.
The rising limb is the part of the hydrograph between zero time and time-to-peak. The recession (or
receding limb) is the part of the hydrograph between time-to-peak and time base. The time base is
measured from zero time to a time defining the end of the recession. The recession is logarithmic in
nature, approaching zero flow in an asymptotic way. For practical applications, the end of the
recession is usually defined in an arbitrary manner. The point of inflection of the receding limb is the
point corresponding to zero curvature. The hydrograph volume is obtained by integrating the flow
rates from zero time to time base.
Fig. 2-59 Elements of single-storm hydrograph.
The shape of the hydrograph, showing a positive skew, with recession time greater than rising time, is
caused by the essentially different responses of surface flow, interflow, and groundwater flow. Indeed,
the runoff hydrograph can be thought of as consisting of the sum of up to three hydrographs, as
shown in Fig. 2-60 (a). The fast and peaked hydrograph is produced by surface flow while the other
two are the result of interflow and groundwater flow. The superposition of these hydrographs results
in a runoff hydrograph exhibiting a long tail (positive skew), as depicted in Fig. 2-60 (b).
Fig. 2-60 Components of runoff hydrograph.
The feature of positive skew allows the definition of a few additional geometric hydrograph properties.
The time-to-centroid tg is measured from zero time to the time separating the hydrograph into two
equal volumes (Fig. 2-61). The volume-to-peak Vp is obtained by integrating the flow rates from zero
time to time-to-peak. In synthetic unit hydrograph analysis, the ratio of volume-to-peak to hydrograph
volume is used as a measure of hydrograph shape (Chapter 5).
Fig. 2-61 Additional single-storm hydrograph properties.
Hydrographs of perennial streams may include substantial amounts of baseflow. The separation of
runoff into direct runoff (surface flow) and indirect runoff (baseflow) can be accomplished by resorting
to one of several hydrograph separation techniques (Chapter 5). These techniques can also be used
in the analysis of multiple-storm hydrographs, which typically exhibit two or more peaks and valleys.
Analytical Hydrographs. Analytical expressions for streamflow hydrographs are sometimes used in
hydrologic studies. The simplest formula is based on either a sine or cosine function. These, however,
have zero skew (Chapter 6) and therefore do not properly describe the shape of natural hydrographs.
An analytical hydrograph that is often used to simulate natural hydrographs is the gamma function,
expressed as follows:
t
Q = Qb + (Qp - Qb ) [ _____ ] m e (tp - t ) / (tg - tp ) (2-64)
tp
in which Q = flow rate; Qb = baseflow; Qp = peak flow; t = time; tp = time-to-peak; tg = time-to-

centroid; and m = tp /(tg - tp). For values of tg greater than tp, Eq. 2-64 exhibits positive skew.
Example 2-11.
Use Eq. 2-64 to calculate streamflow hydrograph ordinates at hourly intervals, with the following data:
Qb = 100 m3/s; Qp = 500 m3/s; tp = 3 h; and tg = 4.5 h.
The application of Eq. 2-64 leads to:
t
Q = 100 + 400 [ _____ ] 2 e (3 - t ) / 1.5
3
The hydrograph ordinates at hourly intervals are shown in Table 2-11. It is seen that the flow rate at t = 0 is
100 m3/s, it reaches a peak of 500 m3/s at t = 3 h, and it recedes back to 103 m3/s at t = 15 h.
Table 2-11 Calculated gamma hydrograph

ordinates: Example 2-11.
Time (h) Flow (m3/s)
0 100
1 269
2 446
3 500
4 465
5 393
6 317
7 251
8 201
9 166
10 142
11 126
12 116
13 110
14 106
15 103
Flow in Stream Channels
Streamflow hydrographs flow in stream channels that are carved on the land surface. The following
properties are used to describe stream channels:
1. Cross-sectional dimensions,
2. Cross-sectional shape,
3. Longitudinal slope, and
4. Boundary friction.
The channel cross section has the following geometric and hydraulic elements: (a) flow area, (b) top
width, (c) wetted perimeter, (d) hydraulic radius, (e) hydraulic depth, and (f) aspect ratio. The flow
area A is the area of the cross section occupied by the flow. The top width T is the channel width at
the elevation of the water surface. The wetted perimeter P is the perimeter of the flow area in direct
contact with the land. The hydraulic radius R is the ratio of flow area to wetted perimeter: R = A/P.
The hydraulic depth D is the ratio of flow area to top width: D = A/T. The aspect ratio, a measure of
cross-sectional shape, is the ratio of top width to hydraulic depth (T/D).
Channel top widths vary widely, ranging from a few meters for small mountain streams to several
kilometers for very large rivers. Mean flow depths range from as low as a fraction of a meter for small
mountain streams to more than 50 m for very large rivers. [The maximum depth of the Amazon river,
the largest in the world, is close to 90 m]. Aspect ratios vary widely in nature; however, most streams
and rivers have aspect ratios in excess of 10. Very wide streams (e.g., braided streams) may have
aspect ratios exceeding 100.
The longitudinal channel slope is the change in elevation with distance. The mean bed elevation is
generally used to calculate channel slope. For short reaches or mild slopes, slope calculations may
be hampered by the difficulty of accurately establishing the mean bed elevation. A practical
alternative is to use the water surface slope as a measure of channel slope. The water surface slope,
however, varies in space and time as a function of the flow nonuniformity and unsteadiness. The
steady equilibrium (i.e., uniform) water surface slope is usually taken as a measure of channel slope.
Therefore, mean bed slope and steady equilibrium water surface slope are often treated as
synonymous. Generally, the longer the channel reach, the more accurate the determination of
channel slope.
Boundary friction refers to the type and dimensions of the particles lining the channel cross section
below the waterline. In alluvial channels, geomorphic bed features such as ripples and dunes may
represent a substantial contribution to the overall friction (Chapter15). Particles lying on the channel
bed may range from large boulders for typical mountain streams (Fig. 2-62) to silt particles in the case
of large tidal rivers.
Fig. 2-62 Flow in a mountain stream.

For small streams, particles on the channel banks may be as large as the particles on the bottom.
River banks, however, are likely to consist of particles of much varied size than those on the channel
bottom. The high aspect ratio of rivers generally results in the banks contributing only a small fraction
of the total boundary friction. Therefore, the boundary friction is often taken as synonymous with bed
or bottom friction.
Uniform flow formulas. Flow in streams and rivers is evaluated by using empirical formulas such as
the Manning or Chezy equations. The Manning formula is:
1
V = _____ R 2/3 S 1/2 (2-65)
n
in which V = mean flow velocity, in meters per second; R = hydraulic radius, in meters; S = channel
slope, in meters per meter; and n = Manning friction coefficient. In U.S. customary units, with V in feet
per second, R in feet, and S in feet per foot, the right side of Eq. 2-65 is multiplied by the constant
1.486.
In natural channels, n can take values as low as 0.02 and as high as 0.2 in some unusually high
roughness cases (e.g., flood plains adjacent to rivers). A good working value for a clean, straight, full-
stage stream of fairly uniform cross section is 0.03. Typical n values for natural streams and rivers are
in the range 0.03-0.05.
A U.S. Geological Survey study [4] has documented n values for natural streams ranging from as low
as n = 0.024 for the Columbia River at Vernita, Washington (a large river with streambanks largely
devoid of vegetation) [(Fig. 2-63 (a)], to as high as n = 0.079 for Cache Creek near Lower Lake,
California (a small stream with large, angular boulders in the bed, and exposed rocks, boulders, and
trees in the banks) [(Fig. 2-63 (b)].
Fig. 2-63 (a) Columbia River at Vernita, Washington.

Fig. 2-63 (b) Cache Creek near Lower Lake, California.
The Chezy equation is
V = C R 1/2 S 1/2 (2-66)
in which C = Chezy coefficient, in m1/2 s-1; and other terms are the same as for Eq. 2-65. Chezy
coefficients equivalent to the preceding conditions range from about 80 m1/2 s-1 for large rivers to
about 10 m1/2 s-1 for small streams. Typical C values for natural streams and rivers are in the range
25-50 m1/2 s-1.
Equation 2-66 can be expressed in dimensionless form as follows:
C
V = _______ g 1/2 R 1/2 S 1/2 (2-67)
g 1/2
in which g = gravitational acceleration, and C/g1/2 = dimensionless Chezy coefficient. Dimensionless

Chezy coefficients equivalent to the preceding conditions range from 25.5 for large rivers to 3.2 for
small streams. Typical values for natural streams and rivers are in the range 8-16.
For certain applications, Eq. 2-67 can be readily transformed into a formula with an enhanced
physical meaning. For hydraulically wide channels, i.e., those with aspect ratio greater than 10, the
top width and wetted perimeter can be assumed to be approximately the same. This implies that the
hydraulic depth (D) can be substituted for the hydraulic radius (R), leading to:
S = fF2 (2-68)
in which f = a dimensionless friction factor equal to f = g/C 2, and F = Froude number, equal to
F = V / (gD)1/2. It can be shown that the friction factor in Eq. 2-68 is equal to one-eight (1/8) of the
Darcy-Weisbach friction factor fD used in the hydraulics of closed conduits. Dimensionless friction
factors equivalent to the preceding conditions range from 0.0016 for large rivers to 0.097 for small
streams. Typical values for natural streams and rivers are in the range 0.004-0.016.
Equation 2-68 states that for hydraulically wide channels, the channel slope is proportional to the
square of the Froude number, with the friction factor f as the proportionality coefficient. In practice,
Eq. 2-68 be used as a convenient predictor of any of these three dimensionless parameters, once the
other two are known. Furthermore, it implies that if one of the three parameters is kept constant, a
change in one of the other two causes a corresponding change in the third.
Notwithstanding the theoretical appeal of Eqs. 2-66 and 2-68, the Manning equation has had wider
acceptance in practice. This is attributed to the fact that in natural channels, the Chezy coefficient is
not constant, tending to increase with hydraulic radius. The comparison of Eqs. 2-65 and 2-66 leads
to:
1
C = _____ R 1/6 (2-69)
n
Equation 2-69 implies that, unlike Chezy C, Manning n is a constant. Experience has shown,
however, that at a given cross-section, n may vary with discharge and stage (Fig. 2-64). Moreover, as
stage varies from low to high, alluvial rivers can move their beds and generate/erase ripples and
dunes, increasing/decreasing channel friction (Chapter 15).
Fig. 2-64 A large river overflowing onto the adjacent flood plain (Mato Grosso, Brazil).
River Stages. At any location along a river, the river stage is the elevation of the water surface above
a given datum. This datum can be either an arbitrary one or the NAVD (North American Vertical
Datum), a standard measure of mean sea level.
River stages are a function of flow rate. Flow rates can be grouped into: (1) low flow, (2) average flow,
and (3) high flow. Low flow is typical of the dry season, when streamflow is largely composed of
baseflow originating mostly in contributions from groundwater flow. High flow occurs during the wet
season, when streamflow is primarily due to contributions from surface runoff. Average flow usually
occurs midseason and may have mixed contributions from surface runoff, interflow, and groundwater
flow.
Low flows studies are necessary when determining minimum flow rates, below which a certain use
would be impaired. Examples of such uses are irrigation requirements, hydropower generation, and
minimum instream flows needed for fisheries protection and compliance with water pollution
regulations. Excessive use of groundwater may lead to baseflow losses; thus, Increasingly, surface
runoff studies are focusing on baseflow and low flows.
Average flows play an important role in the calculation of monthly and annual volumes available for
storage and use. Applications are usually found in connection with the sizing of storage reservoirs.
High flow studies are related to the floods and flood hydrology. Typically, during high flows, natural
streams and rivers have the tendency to overflow their banks, with stages reaching above bank-full
stage. In such cases, the flow area includes a portion of the land located adjacent to the river, on one
or both sides. In alluvial valleys, the land that is subject to inundation during periods of high flow is
referred to as the flood plain (Fig. 2-65). The evaluation of high flows is necessary for flood
forecasting, flood control, and flood mitigation.
Fig. 2-65 Flood plain flooding (Mato Grosso, Brazil).
Rating Curves. It is known that river stage varies as a function of discharge, but the exact nature of
the relationship is not readily apparent. Given a long and essentially prismatic channel reach, a
single-valued relationship between stage and discharge at a cross section defines the equilibrium
rating curve. For steady uniform flow, the rating curve is unique, i.e., there is a single value of stage
for each value of discharge and vice versa (Fig. 2-66). In this case, the equilibrium rating curve can
be calculated with either the Manning or Chezy equations. In open-channel hydraulics, this property
of uniqueness of the rating qualifies the channel reach as a channel control.
Fig. 2-66 A typical rating curve.
However, other flow conditions, specifically nonuniformity (gradually varied steady flow) and
unsteadiness (e.g., gradually varied unsteady flow), can cause deviations from the steady equilibrium
rating. These deviations are less tractable. In particular, flood wave theory justifies the presence of a
loop in the rating, as shown in Fig. 2-67. Intuitively, the rising limb of the flood-wave hydrograph has a
steeper water surface slope than that of equilibrium flow, leading to greater flows and lower stages.
Conversely, the receding limb has a milder water surface slope, resulting in smaller flows and higher
stages; thus the rationale for the loop's presence. The loop effect, however, is likely to be small and is
usually neglected on practical grounds. Where increased accuracy is required, unsteady flow
modeling can be used to account for the looped rating (Chapter 9).
Fig. 2-67 A looped rating curve.
Two other processes related to sedimentation have a bearing in the evaluation of stage-discharge
relations: (1) the short-term effects, and (2) long-term effects. The short-term effects are due to the
fact that the amount of boundary friction varies with flow rate. Rivers flowing on loose boundaries
composed of gravel, sand, and silt constantly try to minimize their changes in stage. This is
accomplished through the following mechanism: During low flow, the bed friction consists not only of
grain friction but also of form friction, caused by bed features such as ripples and dunes (Chapter 15).
During high flows, the swiftness of the current acts to obliterate the bed features, reducing form
friction to a minimum, essentially with only grain friction remaining. The reduced friction during high
flows gives rivers the capability to carry a greater discharge for a given stage. This explains the
demonstrated shift from low-flow rating to high-flow rating in natural river channels (Fig. 2-63).
The long-term sedimentation effect is due to the fact that rivers continuously subject their boundaries
to recurring cycles of erosion and deposition, depending on the sediment load they carry (Chapter
15). Some very active rivers may be eroding; others may be aggrading. Moreover, some
geomorphologically active rivers may substantially change their cross sections during major floods.
Invariably, shifts in rating are the net result of these natural geomorphic processes.
Rating Curve Formulas. In spite of the apparent complexities, rating curves are a useful and
practical tool in hydrologic analysis, allowing the direct conversion of stage to discharge and vice
versa. Discharge can be obtained from the rating by the simple procedure of measuring the stage.
Conversely, if discharge is known, for instance, at a catchment outlet, stage at the outlet can be
readily determined from a suitable rating.
There are several ways to determine an equation for the rating. Invariably, they are based on curve-
fitting stage-discharge data. A widely used equation is the following [45]:
Q = a (h - ho ) b (2-70)
in which Q = discharge; h = gage height; ho = reference height; and a and b are constants. Several
values of reference height are tried. The proper value of reference height is that which makes the
stage-discharge data plot as close as possible to a straight line on logarithmic paper. Subsequently,
the values of the constants a and b are determined by regression analysis (Chapter 7).
Streamflow Variability
The study of streamflow variability is the cornerstone of engineering hydrology. Streamflow and river
flow vary not only seasonally, but also annually, multiannually, and with climate and geographic
location. Global climate change may also affect streamflow variability. Over the long term, the total
amount of streamflow is directly related to the amount of environmental moisture, i.e., the moisture
present in soil and air. The inland advection of water vapor supplies the moisture which eventually
constitutes precipitation. Whether this moisture reaches the catchment outlet remains to be
determined by further analysis.
On an average global basis, mean annual runoff, measured at the mouths of peripheral continental
basins, amounts to about 39 percent of total precipitation. Most of the remainder, about 59 percent, is
accounted for by the long-term abstractive processes of evaporation and evapotranspiration, which
include evaporation from water bodies, evaporation from soil and bare ground, and
evapotranspiration from vegetation. A small percentage, about 2 percent, percolates deep enough
into the ground to bypass the surface waters, eventually discharging into the ocean (Fig. 2-68).
Fig. 2-68 Average global components of the water balance.
Seasonal Variability. A typical catchment in a subhumid region may show runoff rates and volumes
varying throughout the year, with a tendency to low flows during the dry season and high flows during
the wet season. However, a catchment in a more extreme climate will show a quite different behavior.
In the ephemeral streams typical of arid regions, runoff is nonexistent during periods of no
precipitation; for these streams, runoff occurs only in direct response to precipitation. On the other
hand, in humid and extremely humid climates, rivers show substantial amounts of runoff throughout
the year, with relatively little variability between the seasons.
The reason for the seasonal variability of streamflow lies in the relative contributions of direct (surface
flow) and indirect runoff (baseflow). In subhumid regions, indirect runoff is a small, but nevertheless
measurable, fraction of total runoff. On the other hand, in arid regions, particularly for ephemeral
streams, indirect runoff is either zero or negligible. Furthermore, in humid regions, indirect runoff is
substantial throughout the year, often being a sizable fraction of total runoff.
The phenomenon described above can be further explained in the following way: Groundwater
reservoirs act to store large amounts of water, which are slowly transported to lower elevations. The
bulk of this water (about 98% on a global basis) is eventually released back to the surface waters.
With seepage being the dominant process, the flow of groundwater is slow and, therefore, subject to
a substantial amount of diffusion. The net effect is that of a permanent contribution from groundwater
to surface water in the form of baseflow, or the dry-weather flow of rivers (Fig. 2-69). To evaluate the
seasonal variability of streamflow, it is therefore necessary to examine the relationship between
surface water and groundwater.
Fig. 2-69 Large spring contributing to baseflow.
Annual Variability. Year-to-year streamflow variability shows some of the same features as those of
seasonal streamflow variability. For instance, large catchments show runoff variability from one year
to the next as a function of the state of moisture at the end of the first year and of the precipitation
amounts added during the second year. As in the case of seasonal variability, annual streamflow
variability is linked to the relative contributions of direct and indirect runoff. During dry years,
precipitation goes on to replenish the catchment's soil moisture deficit, with little of it showing as direct
runoff. This results in the low levels of runoff that characterize dry years. Conversely, during wet
years, the catchment's moisture storage capacity fills up quickly, and any additional precipitation is
almost entirely converted into surface runoff. This produces the high streamflow levels that
characterize wet years. Annual streamflow variability is, therefore, intrinsically connected to the
relative contributions of direct and indirect runoff.
An increasingly popular line of inquiry is to focus on the mechanics of surface flow, interflow, and
groundwater flow, while accounting for the spatial and temporal variability of the various physical,
chemical, and biological processes involved at the various scales. However, the dearth of reliable
data for all phases of the hydrologic cycle makes the evaluation of streamflow using a purely
mechanistic approach a rather complex undertaking. Recent progress has been made in the coupling
of mathematical models with geographic information systems, digital elevation models, and other
related software.
A practical alternative which has enjoyed wide acceptance in applications of flood hydrology is the
reliance on statistical tools to compensate for the incomplete knowledge of the physical processes.
Over the years, this has given rise to the concept of flow frequency, or commonly, flood frequency,
expressed as the average period of time (i.e., the return period) that it will take a certain flood level to
recur at a given location. An annual flood series is abstracted from daily discharge measurements at
a given gaging station. This is accomplished by either selecting the maximum daily flow for each of n
years of record (the annual maxima series), or by selecting the n greatest flow values in the entire n-
year record, regardless of when they occurred (the annual exceedance series) (Chapter 6). The
statistical analysis of the flood series permits the calculation of the flow rates associated with one or
more chosen frequencies.
The procedure is relatively straightforward, but it is limited by the record length. Its predictive
capability decreases sharply when used to evaluate floods with return periods substantially in excess
of the record length. An advantage of the method is its reproducibility, which means that two persons
are likely to arrive at the same result when using the same methodology. This is a significant asset
when comparing the relative merits of competing water resources projects. Methods for flood
frequency analysis are discussed in Chapter 6.
Recently, a complicating factor has arisen in flood frequency analysis. Global climate change
promises to change the long-term depth-duration-frequency precipitation relations and, therefore, the
magnitude and frequency of floods. Then, a historical flood record, however long, would have
essentially lost its pristine character and could only serve as a rough indication for present and future
analyses.
Daily-flow Analysis. The variability of streamflow can also be expressed in terms of the day-to-day
fluctuation of flow rates at a given station. Some streams show great variability from day to day, with
high peaks and low valleys succeeding one another endlessly. Other streams show very little day-to-
day variability, with high flows being not very different from low flows.
The reason for this difference in behavior can be attributed to differences in the nature of catchment
response. Small and midsize catchments are likely to have steep gradients and therefore to
concentrate flows with negligible runoff diffusion, producing hydrographs that show a large number of
high peaks and corresponding low valleys. Conversely, large catchments are likely to have milder
gradients and therefore to concentrate flows with substantial runoff diffusion. The diffusion
mechanism acts to spread the flows in time and space, resulting in a succession of smooth
hydrographs showing low peaks and comparatively high valleys.
Daily flow data may not be sufficient to allow calculation of the runoff volumes produced by small
watersheds. In cases where accuracy is required, hourly flows (or perhaps flows measured at 3-h
intervals) may be necessary to describe adequately the temporal variability of the flow.
In the past four decades, the development of stochastic models of streamflow variability has resulted
in a substantial body of knowledge referred to as stochastic hydrology. For a detailed treatment of this
subject, see [8, 70, 89].
Flow-duration Curve. A practical way to evaluate day-to-day streamflow variability is the flow-
duration curve. To determine this curve for a particular location, it is necessary to obtain daily flow
data for a certain period of time. either 1 y or a number of years. The length of the record indicates
the total number of days in the series. The daily flow series is sequenced in decreasing order, from
the highest to the lowest flow value. with each flow value being assigned an order number. For
instance, the highest flow value would have order number one; the lowest flow value would have the
last order number, equal to the total number of days. For each flow value, the percent time is defined
as the ratio of its order number to the total number of days, expressed in percentage. The flow-
duration curve is obtained by plotting flow versus percent time, with percent time in the abscissas and
flow in the ordinates (Fig. 2-70).
Fig. 2-70 A flow-duration curve.
A flow-duration curve allows the evaluation of the permanence of characteristic low-flow levels. For
instance, the flow expected to be exceeded 90 percent of the time can be readily determined from a
flow-duration curve. The permanence of low flows is increased with streamflow regulation. The usual
aim is to be able to assure the permanence of a certain low-flow level 100 percent of the time.
Regulation causes a shift in the flow-duration curve by increasing the permanence of low flows while
decreasing that of high flows (Fig. 2-67). Streamflow regulation is accomplished with storage
reservoirs.
The flow-duration curve is helpful in the planning and design of water resources projects. In particular,
for hydropower studies, the flow-duration curve serves to determine the potential for firm power
generation. In the case of a run-of-the-river plant, with no storage facilities, the firm power is usually
assumed on the basis of flow available 90 to 97 percent of the time.
Flow-mass Curve. Another way to evaluate day-to-day (and seasonal) streamflow variability is the
flow-mass curve. A mass curve of daily values of a variable is a plot of time in the abscissas versus
cumulative values of the variable in the ordinates. When using flow values, such a plot is referred to
as the flow-mass curve.
For daily flow records in cubic meters per second, the ordinates of the flow mass curve are in cubic
meters or cubic hectometers (1 cubic hectometer = 1 million cubic meters). For any given day, the
ordinate of the flow-mass curve is the accumulated runoff volume up to that day. According to Chow
[10], the flow-mass curve is believed to have been first suggested by Rippl [69]; hence the name
Rippl curve. The shape of the flow-mass curve resembles that of the letter S (Fig. 2-71); therefore, it
is also referred to as the S-curve.
Applications of flow-mass curves are to reservoir design and operation, including the determination of
reservoir capacity and the establishment of operating rules for storage reservoirs. Figure 2-71 shows
a typical flow-mass curve. At any given time, the slope of the mass curve is a measure of the
instantaneous flow rate. The slope of the line PQ, drawn between the points P and Q, represents the
average flow between the two points. The slope of the line AB, drawn between the starting point A
and the ending point B, is the average flow for the entire period.
Fig. 2-71 A typical flow-mass curve.
To use the flow-mass curve for reservoir design, two lines parallel to line AB and tangent to the flow-
mass curve are drawn (Fig. 2-71). The first one, A'B', is tangent to the mass curve at the highest
tangent point C. The second one, A"B", is tangent to the mass curve at the lowest tangent point D.
The vertical difference between these two tangent lines, in cubic meters, is the storage volume
required to release a constant flow rate. This constant release rate is equal to the slope of the line
AB. A reservoir with a volume equal to AA" at the start would be full at C and empty at D, with no spill
(excess volume) or shortage (deficit). A reservoir that is empty at the start has water while the S
curve remains above the AB line and is empty (show a deficit) when the S curve moves below that
line. A reservoir that is full at the start will spill water (excess volume) as long as the inflow remains
greater than the outflow (from A to C).
The draft rate (or demand rate) is the release rate required to fulfill downstream needs, such as
irrigation or power generation. A line having a slope equal to the draft rate is the draft line. The draft
rate need not be necessarily constant. In practice, reservoir withdrawals are variable, leading to a
variable draft rate and variable draft line, which amounts to an outflow mass curve. The superposition
of inflow and outflow mass curves enables the detailed analysis of reservoir storage.
The residual mass curve is a plot of the differences between the S curve ordinates and the
corresponding ordinates from line AB. The ordinates of the residual mass curve can be either positive
or negative. The residual mass curve accentuates the peaks and valleys of the cumulative flow
record.
Range is the difference between the maximum and minimum ordinates of the residual mass curve for
a given period. Range analysis was pioneered by Hurst [31, 32] who proposed the following formula
for the calculation of maximum range:
N
R = s( _____ ) 0.73 (2-71)
2
in which R = reservoir storage volume required to guarantee a constant release rate equal to the
mean of the data (annual runoff volume) over a period of N years, and s = the standard deviation of
the data (annual runoff volume) (Chapter 6) (Fig. 2-72).
Fig. 2-72 Lake Oroville, California.
Equation 2-71 was derived by curve-fitting data for a wide variety of natural phenomena. The
exponent 0.73 was the mean of values varying between 0.46 and 0.96. A theoretical analysis based
on the normal probability distribution (Chapter 6) showed that the exponent of Eq 2-71 should be 0.5
instead of 0.73. This apparent discrepancy between theory and data, known as the Hurst
phenomenon, has been the subject of numerous studies [47].
Geographical Variability of Streamflow. Streamflow varies from one catchment to another and from
one geographical region of a certain climate to another of a different climate. Moreover, exorheic and
endorheic drainages have quite different streamflow patterns. While the outflow from an exorheic
drainage is finite (nonzero), that of an endorheic drainage is zero, i.e., in the latter, no surface flow
has a chance to leave the basin.
In exorheic drainages, the geographical variability of streamflow can be explained in terms of:
1. Catchment area,
2. Precipitation rates, amounts, seasonality, and climate, and
3. Temporal frame of reference.
Intuitively, the volume available for runoff is directly proportional to the catchment area. This, however,
is tempered by the available precipitation, which is conditioned by the prevailing climate. The
temporal frame refers to whether the streamflow evaluation is for short-term runoff (event, or storm,
runoff) or long-term runoff (annual water yield).
The catchment area is important in short-term evaluations, not only because of the potential runoff
volume, but also because larger catchments tend to have milder overall gradients. (This is because
the upper limit to catchment relief is in the thousands of meters, while the upper limit to catchment
length is in the thousands of kilometers; a three order-of-magnitude difference). The generally milder
gradients of large catchments lead to increased runoff diffusion, while enhancing the chances for
infiltration and loss of surface water to groundwater. In flood hydrology applications, the net effect is a
decrease in peak discharge per unit area.
The above reasoning is supported by data showing peak flows to be directly related to catchment
area, as shown in Eq. 2-49. Consequently, the peak discharge per unit area is:
c
qp = _____
(2-72)
Am
in which qp = peak discharge per unit area, in m3 s-1 km-2 (or alternatively, in ft3 s-1 mi-2); A =
catchment area, in km2 (or mi2), and c and m are empirical constants, with m = 1 - n. Since n is
generally less than 1, it follows that m is also generally less than 1. Equation 2-72 confirms that peak
discharge per unit area is inversely related to drainage area. An example of such a trend is given by
the classical Creager curves, shown in Fig. 2-73 [14]:
- 0.048 - 1 )
qp = 46 C A ( 0.894 A (2-73)
Values of C in the range 30-100 encompass most of the flood data compiled by Creager et al. [14].
This range can be taken as a measure of the regional variability of flood discharges. Equation 2-73,
however, limits itself to providing a peak discharge per unit area, wIth no connotation of frequency
attached to the calculated values.
Fig. 2-73 Creager curves: Flood discharge per unit area versus drainage area (Click -here- to display).
For short-term (event or storm) runoff evaluations, the precipitation rate and catchment abstractive
capability determine the streamflow variability. In small catchments, runoff is characterized by the
event runoff coefficient C, i.e., the ratio of storm runoff depth to storm rainfall depth (Chapter 4). This
ratio increases with the impermeability of the catchment surface, from values close to zero
(0.10 ≤ C ≤ 015) for highly permeable surfaces, to values close to one (0.80 ≤ C ≤ 0.95) for highly
impermeable surfaces. This underscores the role of infiltration as the leading abstracting mechanism
in the short term (storm event).
For long-term (water yield) runoff evaluations, geographical location and associated climate
determine to a large extent the seasonal and annual variability of streamflow. In the typical exorheic
drainage, mean annual runoff increases with environmental moisture, i.e., the moisture present in soil
and air. The mean annual runoff coefficient K, i.e., the ratio of mean annual runoff to mean annual
rainfall, varies from 0.02 ≤ K ≤ 0.15 in arid and semiarid regions, to 0.5 ≤ K ≤ 0.7 in humid and
extremely humid regions. Thus, in arid and semiarid regions, a larger fraction of total precipitation
(0.85-0.98) is returned to the atmosphere, mostly via evaporation from soil and bare ground.
Conversely, in humid and extremely humid regions, a smaller fraction of total precipitation (0.3-0.5) is
returned to the atmosphere, primarily through evaporation from water bodies and evapotranspiration
from vegetation. This depicts the importance of evaporation and evapotranspiration as the leading
abstractive mechanisms in the long term (water yield).
QUESTIONS
[Problems] [References] • [Top] [Precipitation] [Hydrologic Abstractions] [Catchment Properties] [Runoff]
1. Describe the frontal lifting of air masses.
2. What is orographic lifting? What is thermal lifting?
3. Describe the concept of rainfall frequency.
4. What is the PMP? What is the PMF?
5. In what case is the isohyetal method preferred over the Thiessen polygons method?
6. When is an IDF curve used? When is a Depth-Duration-Frequency value used?
7. How does average annual precipitation affect climate?
8. When is the normal ratio method used to fill in missing precipitation records?
9. What is a double-mass analysis?
10. What type of storm is likely to be subtantially abstracted by interception?
11. What factors affect the process of infiltration?
12. Compare the Horton and Philip infiltration formulas.
13. What type of application justifies the use of a φ-index?
14. In what case is depression storage likely to be important in runoff evaluation?
15. What is the basis of the energy budget method for determining reservoir evaporation?
16. What is albedo? What is the albedo of a forest? Of a desert?
17. What assumptions did Penman use in deriving his evaporation formula?
18. What is transpiration? Why is it considered a hydrologic abstraction?
19. What is potential evapotranspiration? What is actual evapotranspiration?
20. What is reference crop evapotranspiration?
21. What is the rationale for using evaporation formulas in the evaluation of evapotranspiration?
22. What are the various types of surface flow that can occur in nature?
23. What is a hypsometric curve? When is it used?
24. Derive the formula for equivalent slope (Eq. 2-52). State any assumptions used.
25. What is interflow? What is groundwater flow?
26. What is direct runoff? What is indirect runoff?
27. How does an ephemeral stream differ from an intermittent stream?
28. Why is the catchment's antecedent moisture important in flood hydrology?

29. What is catchment response? What is runoff concentration? What is runoff diffusion?
30. Why do single-storm streamflow hydrographs generally exhibit a long tail?
31. Why is the Manning equation preferred over the Chezy equation in practice?
32. What is the advantage of the Chezy equation?
33. Discuss low flows and high flows in connection with arid and humid climates.
34. What is a rating curve? What are the various processes likely to affect a rating?
35. How can seasonal and annual streamflow variability be explained?
36. What is the reason for the high peaks and low valleys of typical daily streamflows of small
upland catchments?
37. What is a flow-duration curve? For what is it used?
38. What is a flow-mass curve? For what is it used?
39. What is the Hurst phenomenon?
40. How does peak discharge per unit area vary with catchment size? Why?
PROBLEMS
[References] • [Top] [Precipitation] [Hydrologic Abstractions] [Catchment Properties] [Runoff] [Questions]
1. A 465-km2 catchment has mean annual precipitation of 775 mm and mean annual flow of 3.8
m3/s. What percentage of total precipitation is abstracted by the catchment?
2. A 9250-km2 catchment has mean annual precipitation of 645 mm and mean annual flow of 37.3
m3/s. What is the precipitation depth abstracted by the catchment?
3. Using the dimensionless temporal rainfall distribution shown in Fig. 2-5, calculate a hyetograph
for an 18-cm, 12-h storm, defined at l-h intervals.
4. A 100-km2 catchment is instrumented with 13 rain gages located as shown in Fig. P-2-4.
Immediately after a certain precipitation event, the rainfall amounts accumulated in each gage
are as shown in the figure. Calculate the average precipitation over the catchment by the
following methods: (a) average rainfall, (b) Thiessen polygons, and (c) isohyetal method.
Fig. P-2-4 Spatial distribution of rain gages for Problem 2-4.
5. A certain catchment experienced a rainfall event with the following incremental depths:
Time (h) 0-3 3-6 6-9 9-12
Rainfall (cm) 0.4 0.8 1.6 0.2
Determine: (a) the average rainfall intensity in the first 6 h, (b) the average rainfall intensity for
the entire duration of the storm.
6. The following dimensionless temporal rainfall distribution has been determined for a local storm:
Time (%) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Rainfall depth (%) 0 5 10 25 50 75 90 95 97 99 100
Calculate a design hyetograph for a 12-cm, 6-h storm. Express in terms of hourly rainfall
depths.
7. Given the following intensity-duration data, find the a and m constants of Eq. 2-5.
Intensity (mm/h) 50 30
Duration (h) 0.5 1.0
8. Given the following intensity-duration data, find the constants a and b of Eq. 2-6.
Intensity (mm/h) 60 40
Duration (h) 1 2
9. Construct a depth-area curve for the 6-h duration isohyetal map shown in Fig. P-2-9.
Fig. P-2-9 Isohyetal map for Problem 2-9.
10. The precipitation gage for station X was inoperative during part of the month of January. During
that same period, the precipitation depths measured at three index stations A, B, and C were
25, 28, and 27 mm, respectively. Estimate the missing precipitation data at X. given the
following average annual precipitation at X, A, B, and C: 285, 250, 225, and 275 mm,
respectively.
11. The precipitation gage for station Y was inoperative during a few days in February. During that
same period, the precipitation at four index stations, each located in one of four quadrants (Fig.
2-15), is the following:
Precipitation Distance
Quadrant)
(mm) (km)
I 25 8.5
II 28 6.2
III 27 3.7
IV 30 15.0
Estimate the missing precipitation data at station Y.
12. The annual precipitation at station Z and the average annual precipitation at 10 neighboring
stations are as follows:
Precipitation at Z 10-station average

Year Precipitation at Z 10-station average
(mm) (mm) Year
(mm) (mm)
1972 35 28
1980 30 26
1973 37 29
1981 31 31
1974 39 31
1982 35 36
1975 35 27
1983 38 39
1976 30 25
1984 40 44
1977 25 21
1985 28 32
1978 20 17
1986 25 30
1979 24 21
1987 21 23
Use double-mass analysis to correct for any data inconsistencies at station Z.
13. Calculate the interception loss for a storm lasting 30 min, with interception storage 0.3 mm, ratio
of evaporating foliage surface to its horizontal projection K = 1.3, and evaporation rate E = 0.4
mm/h.
14. Show that F = (fo - fc)/k, in which F is the total infiltration depth above the f = fc line, Eq. 2-13.
15. Fit a Horton infiltration formula to the following measurements:
Time f
(h) (mm/h)
1 2.35
3 1.27
∞ 1.00
16. Given the following measurements, determine the parameters of the Philip infiltration equation.
Time f
(h) (mm/h)
2 1.7
4 1.5
17. The following rainfall distribution was measured during a 12-h storm:
Time (h) 0-2 2-4 4-6 6-8 8-10 10-12
Rainfall intensity (cm/h) 1.0 2.0 4.0 3.0 0.5 1.5
Runoff depth was 16 cm. Calculate the φ-index for this storm.
18. Using the data of Problem 2-17, calculate the W-index, assuming the sum of interception loss
and depth of surface storage is S = 1 cm.
19. A certain catchment has a depression storage capacity of Sd = 2 mm. Calculate the equivalent
depth of depression storage for the following values of precipitation excess: (a) 1 mm, (b) 5 mm,
and (c) 20 mm.
20. Use the Meyer equation to calculate monthly evaporation for a large lake, given the following
data: month of July, mean monthly air temperature 70°F, mean monthly relative humidity 60%,
monthly mean wind speed at 25-ft height, 20 mi/h.
21. Derive the Penman equation (Eq. 2-35).
22. Use the Penman method to calculate the evaporation rate for the following atmospheric
conditions: air temperature, 25°C; net radiation, 578 cal/cm2/d, wind speed at 2-m above the
surface, v2 = 150 km/d; relative humidity, 50%.
23. Use the Penman method (together with the Meyer equation) to calculate the evaporation rate (in
inches per day) for the following atmospheric conditions: air temperature, 70°F, water surface
temperature, 50°F, daily mean wind speed at 25-ft height, W = 15 mi/h, relative humidity 30%,
net radiation, Qn = 15 Btu/ in.2/ d. Assume a large lake to use Eq. 2-27 (b).
24. Use the Blaney-Criddle method (with corrections due to Doorenbos and Pruitt) to calculate
reference crop evapotranspiration during the month of July for a geographic location at 40°N,
with mean daily temperature of 25°C. Assume high actual insolation time, 70% minimum
relative humidity, and 1 m/s daytime wind speed.
25. Use the Thornthwaite method to calculate the potential evapotranspiration during the month of
May for a geographic location at 35°N, with the following mean monthly temperatures, in
degrees Celsius.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
6 8 10 12 15 20 25 20 16 12 10 8
26. Use the Priestley and Taylor formula to calculate the potential evapotranspiration for a site with
air temperature of 15°C and net radiation of 560 cal/cm2/d.
27. The following data have been obtained by planimetering a 135-km2 catchment:
Subarea above
Elevation indicated elevation
(m)
(km2)
1010 135
1020 85
1030 65
1040 30
1050 12
1060 4
1070 0
Calculate a hypsometric curve for this catchment.
28. Derive the formula for the compactness ratio Kc (Eq. 2-51).
29. Given the following longitudinal profile of a river channel, calculate the following slopes: (a) S1,
(b) S2, and (c) S3.
Distance (km) 0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Elevation (m) 10 30 60 100 150 220 350
30. The bottom of a certain 100-km reach of a river can be described by the following longitudinal
profile:
y = 100 e -0.00001 x
in which y = elevation with reference to an arbitrary datum, in meters; and x = horizontal

distance measured from upstream end of the reach, in meters. Calculate the S2 slope.
31. Given the following 14-d record of daily precipitation, calculate the antecedent precipitation
index API. Assume the starting value of the index to be equal to 0 and the recession constant
K = 0.85.
Precipitation Precipitation Precipitation

Day Day Day
(cm) (cm) (cm)
1 0.0 6 0.0 11 1.2
2 0.1 7 0.0 12 0.5
3 0.3 8 0.7 13 0.0
4 0.4 9 0.8 14 0.0
5 0.2 10 0.9
32. A 35-ha catchment experiences 5 cm of precipitation, uniformly distributed in 2 h. If the time of

concentration is 1 h, what is the maximum possible flow rate at the catchment outlet?
33. Calculate hourly ordinates of a gamma hydrograph with the following characteristics: peak flow,
1000 m3/s; baseflow, 0 m3/s; time-to-peak, 3 h; and time-to-centroid, 6 h.
34. The following data have been measured in a river: mean velocity V = 1.8 m/s, hydraulic radius
R = 3.2 m, channel slope S = 0.0005. Calculate the Manning and Chezy coefficients.
35. The Chezy coefficient for a wide channel is C = 49 m1/2/s and the bottom slope is S = 0.00037.
What is the Froude number of the uniform (i.e., steady equilibrium) flow?
36. The flow duration characteristics of a certain stream can be expressed as follows:
Q = ( 950 /T ) + 10
in which Q = discharge in cubic meters per second, and T = percent time, restricted to the range
1-100%. What flow can be expected to be exceeded: (a) 90% of the time, (b) 95% of the time,
and (c) 100% of the time?
37. A reservoir has the following average monthly inflows, in cubic hectometers (million of cubic
meters):
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
30 34 35 48 72 85 72 55 51 40 34 32
Determine the reservoir storage volume required to release a constant draft rate throughout the
year.
38. The analysis of 43 y of runoff data at a reservoir site in a large river has led to the following:
mean annual runoff volume, 24 km3; standard deviation, 7 km3. What is the reservoir storage
volume required to guarantee a constant release rate equal to the mean of the data?
39. Calculate the peak discharge for a 1,000-mi2 drainage area using the Creager formula
(Eq. 2-73) with (a) C = 30, and (b) C = 100.
REFERENCES
• [Top] [Precipitation] [Hydrologic Abstractions] [Catchment Properties] [Runoff] [Questions] [Problems]
1. American Society of Civil Engineers. (1949). "Hydrology Handbook," Manual of Engineering

Practice No. 28.
2. American Society of Civil Engineers. (1960). "Design and Construction of Sanitary Storm
Sewers," Manual of Engineering Practice No. 37.
3. American Society of Civil Engineers. (1990). "Evapotranspiration and Irrigation Water

Requirements," Manual of Engineering Practice No. 70.
4. Barnes, H. H., Jr. (1967). "Roughness Characteristics of Natural Channels," U.S. Geological
Survey Water Supply Paper No. 1849.
5. Blaney, H. F., and W. D. Criddle. (1950). "Determining Water Requirements in Irrigated Areas
from Climatological and Irrigation Data," USDA Irrigation and Water Conservation, SCS TP-96.
August.
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18/1/2019 EH, Chap.

[Hydrologic Abstractions] [Catchment Properties] [Runoff] [Questions] [Problems] [References] • [Top]

3. Lifting due to horizontal convergence, and

Fig. 2-2 The coalescence process (cmmap.org).

Fig. 2-3 Forms of precipitation.

Table 2-1 Factors affecting precipitation.

3 Atmospheric currents ✓ ✓ - For example,

9 Land surface ✓ ✓ - Determined

Quantitative Description of Rainfall

Temporal and Spatial Variation of Precipitation

Fig. 2-4 (b) A dimensionless temporal rainfall distribution.

Fig. 2-5 Dimensionless temporal rainfall distribution for Example 2-1.

Fig. 2-7 Monthly spatial distribution of precipitation (mm).

2. Thiessen polygons, and

Fig. 2-10 (a) Average rainfall method (Click -here- to display).

Fig. 2-10 (b) Thiessen polygons method (Click -here- to display).

Fig. 2-10 (c) Isohyetal method (Click -here- to display).

in which h = storm depth, in centimeters; t = storm duration, in hours; c = a coefficient; and n = an

Table 2-2 World's greatest observed rainfall events [53].

1 min 3.8 Barot, Guadeloupe 1970 November 26

8 min 12.6 Fussen, Bavaria 1920 May 25

15 min 19.8 Plumb Point, Jamaica 1916 May 12

42 min 30.5 Holt, Missouri 1947 June 22

2 h 10 min 48.3 Rockport, West Virginia 1889 July 18

2 h 45 min 55.9 D'Hanis, Texas (17 mi NNW) 1935 May 31

4 h 30 min 78.2 Smethport, Pennsylvania 1942 July 18

9h 108.7 Belouve, Reunion 1964 February 18

12 h 134.0 Belouve, Reunion 1964 February 28-29

18 h 30 min 168.9 Belouve, Reunion 1964 February 28-29

24 h 187.0 Cilaos, Reunion 1952 March 15-16

2d 250.0 Cilaos, Reunion 1952 March 15-17

3d 324.0 Cilaos, Reunion 1952 March 15-18

4d 372.1 Cherrapunji, India 1974 September 12-15

5d 385.4 Cilaos, Reunion 1952 March 13-18

6d 405.5 Cilaos, Reunion 1952 March 13-19

7d 411.0 Cilaos, Reunion 1952 March 12-19

15 d 479.8 Cherrapunji, India 1931 June 24-30

1 mo 930.0 Cherrapunji, India 1861 July

3 mo 1637.0 Cherrapunji, India 1861 May-July

6 mo 2245.0 Cherrapunji, India 1861 April-September

1 yr 2646.0 Cherrapunji, India 1860 August to 1861 July

2 yr 4077.0 Cherrapunji, India 1860-1861

in which i = storm intensity. Simplifying,

Another intensity-duration model is the following:

in which a and b are constants to be determined by regression analysis (Chapter 7).

Intensity-Duration-Frequency. For small catchments it is often necessary to determine several

Fig. 2-12 (a) An arithmetic IDF curve

Fig. 2-12 (b) A logarithmic IDF curve

Fig. 2-14 A depth-area duration curve.

25 62.7a 75.7b 92.2c 98.3c 106.2c 109.5c 114.8c

250 49.8b 66.8c 82.5c 89.4c 96.3c 98.8c 103.1c

500 45.5b 65.0c 79.8c 86.9c 93.2c 95.8c 99.6c

1250 39.1b 62.5c 75.4c 83.0c 88.9c 91.4c 94.7c

2500 34.0b 57.4c 69.6c 76.7c 83.6c 85.6c 88.6c

5000 28.4b 45.0c 57.1c 63.0c 69.3c 72.1c 75.4c

12500 20.6b 28.2b 35.8b 39.4c 47.5d 52.6d 62.0d

* Average depth in cm; storm indicated by superscripted letter.

Geographic and Seasonal Variations of Precipitation

Superarid: Less than 100 mm