Chapter 5 Additional Notes on Direct Runoff Hydrographs and Unit Hydrographs (Q & A format)

1 What is a hydrograph? Draw a single peaked hydrograph and explain its components.

Solution:

A hydrograph is the simplest graphical form of representing stream flow data with respect to
time.

A hydrograph consists of the following components:

 Rising limb
 Crest segment (peak)
 Falling limb (recession)

Rising limb – The portion of the hydrograph which forms the part from the start of the rise to
the peak point
Crest segment – The highest point on the rising limb
Falling limb – The portion of the hydrograph which starts from the point of inflection in the
falling side of the hydrograph and is usually assumed to mark the time at which the
runoff/surface flow of the channel/river ceases.

2 Explain the method of determining the direct runoff from a given storm hydrograph.

Solution:

Direct runoff (surface runoff) is the total flow (total runoff) less the base runoff (base flow).
 It can be determined by three methods;
 Straight line method
 Intersection method
 Recession method

Straight line method – Draw a straight line AB as shown in the figure above. The
determination of the exact location B is assumed as the line is parallel to the x-axis (time).
Intersection method – Draw a straight line below the peak P to the x-axis. Extend the
inflection point of the rising limb to a straight line. This will be point C. Then calculate the time
(days) which indicates the termination of the direct runoff by the following formula: N = αA 0.2
where A is the drainage area in km2 while α is usually assumed as 0.84. This will be indicated
as point D in the graph as N days after the peak.
Recession method – this method is shown by the line AFE. The line is constructed by
projecting a straight line indicating the recession of the groundwater after the rainfall (i.e.
point E) to the point under the peak of the hydrograph, F. Then an arbitrary rising limb point A
is connected to join the projected base flow recession of point F.

3 Define a unit hydrograph. How is it derived? Explain its use in the construction of flood
hydrographs resulting from two or more periods of rainfall.

Solution:

 UH of a watershed is defined as the direct runoff hydrograph (DRH) resulting from a

unit volume (1 cm /1 in) of excess rainfall (effective rainfall) of constant intensity
and uniformly distributed over the drainage area. (Note: Excess rainfall is water that
flows (runoff) across the watershed surface after subtracting the water that has
infiltrated into the ground (plus some interception, ET and surface storage/ponding).
 The unit volume is usually considered to be associated with 1 cm (1 inch) of effective
rainfall distributed uniformly over the basin area
  Unit Hydrographs (UH) are used in hydrologic design to determine the streamflow
hydrograph that would result from a given rainfall input. When combined with design
rainfall they are used to determine design flows so that control or containment
structures (e.g. culverts, detention basins) can be properly sized.
 The UH represents the integrated effect of size, slope, shape, and basin storage
characteristics in converting excess rainfall input into streamflow

The derivation of a unit hydrograph for a particular watershed area can be done by the
following procedure:
i. Plot the hydrograph
ii. Separate the base flow using any of the following separation methods (straight line,
intersection, recession method).
iii. Calculate the total volume of direct flow and the equivalent runoff depth.
iv. Calculate the ordinates of the unit hydrograph by dividing each direct flow with
runoff depth
v. Plot the unit hydrograph

Uses of UH
 Computation of flood hydrograph for the design of a structure
 Extension of the flow records at a site
 Flood forecasting models
 Comparing the catchment characteristics

Construction of flood hydrographs resulting from two or more periods of rainfall (complex
storms) may be done as follows.

The equation for any ordinate of the total hydrograph qn in terms of runoff Q and unit
hydrograph ordinate U is:

𝑞𝑛 = 𝑄𝑛 𝑈1 + 𝑄𝑛−1 𝑈2 + 𝑄𝑛−2 𝑈3 + ⋯ 𝑄1 𝑈𝑛

The first ordinate is q1 = Q1 U1

The second ordinate is q2=Q2U1 + Q1U2

4 What are the assumptions made in the theory of unit hydrograph? What are the limitations of
Unit Hydrograph? How is the unit period assumed?

Solution:

Assumptions of the Unit Hydrograph theory;

 The effective rainfall is uniformly distributed throughout the whole catchment area
 The effective rainfall is uniformly distributed within the specified period of time or
duration
 The base of the hydrograph of direct runoff due to an effective rainfall of unit
duration is constant
 The ordinates of direct runoff of common base time are directly proportional to the
total amount of direct runoff represented by each hydrograph.
 For a given drainage basin the hydrograph of runoff of a given duration of rainfall
reflects the combined physical characteristics of the basin
 Limitations of UH;
 UH cannot be used to model/design runoff originating from snow or ice
 Rainfall selected for analysis or derivation of UH must be from an intense and nearly
constant excess rainfall rate with short duration. Need a well-defined single-peaked
hydrograph of short time base.
 UH is not applicable when drainage area is too large to be covered by a nearly
uniform distribution of rainfall. (However this limitation may be overcome by dividing
into sub areas and analyzing rainfall for the whole subarea.)
 The base time of the direct runoff hydrograph is generally uncertain but depends on
the method of base flow separation (Straight line method, Intersection method and
Recession method).
 Actual hydrologic data are not truly linear. When applying the principles of
superposition and proportionality, the resulting hydrograph is only an approximation.
 UH is only applicable when channel conditions remain unchanged and watersheds do
not have appreciable storage.

How is the unit period assumed? Sherman (1932) proposed the unit graph of a watershed
(now known as unit hydrograph) as a direct runoff hydrograph resulting from 1 inch (in SI
units is taken as 1 cm) of excess rainfall generated uniformly over the drainage area at a
constant rate for an effective duration. Sherman originally used the word “unit” to denote a
unit of time (period), but since that time it has often been interpreted as a unit depth of
excess rainfall.

5 The runoff from a drainage area of 26 km2 flows into a river. The discharge observed on the
dates is shown in the following table. Calculate the ordinate of the unit hydrograph and
sketch the resulting unit hydrograph.

Date Hour Observed Date Hour Observed

streamflow (m3/s) streamflow (m3/s)
6 August 0000 6 7 August 0300 105
0300 8 0600 85
0600 10 0900 65
0900 12 1200 45
1200 25 1500 28
1500 40 1800 21
1800 65 2100 15
2100 82 8 August 2400 11
7 August 2400 115 0300 7
Solution:

Using the straight-line method to separate the base flow from the observed flow;

Observed Base Direct Unit

Time flow Flow Runoff Hydrograph
3 3 3
(hrs) (m /s) (m /s) (m /s) (m3/s/cm)
0 6 6 0 0
3 8 8 0 0
6 10 10 0 0
9 12 12 0 0
12 25 12 13 0.573
15 40 12 28 1.233
18 65 12 53 2.335
21 82 12 70 3.084
24 115 12 103 4.537
27 105 12 93 4.097
30 85 12 73 3.216
33 65 12 53 2.335
36 45 12 33 1.454
39 28 12 16 0.705
42 21 12 9 0.395
45 15 12 3 0.132
48 11 11 0 0
51 7 7 0 0
547

Total volume of direct runoff = 547 m3/s

Direct Runoff = Total volume of direct runoff
Area of Basin
DR = 547 m3/s x 60 min/1 hr x 60s/1 min x 3 hr
26 km2 x 1000m/1km x 1000m/1km
DR = 0.227 m
DR = 22.7 cm

Example calculation;
When DR = 13 m3/s, UH = 13/22.7 = 0.573 m3/s/cm
When DR = 103 m3/s, UH = 103/22.7 = 4.537 m3/s/cm

The resulting graphs are shown as follows:

The UH is shown below;

6 From the records of a certain catchment, it was found that in a typical 4 hr rainfall, the
resulting runoff was 5.0 cm and the resulting discharge Q in the river was observed as follows;

Time (hr) 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20
Discharge 0 1.2 3.0 5.6 7.5 6.5 4.5 2.8 1.5 0.8 0
(m3/s)

Calculate the peak flood discharge and its time of occurrence produced by an 8 hr rainfall
which produces 3.0 cm as runoff during the first 4 hr and 4.0 cm runoff in the next 4 hr.
Neglect the base flow.

Solution:

1) The hydrograph between the discharge, Q (m3/s) of the river and time (hr) is drawn as
shown below:

2) The runoff volume of this hydrograph is 5.0 cm (given). To obtain the ordinate of the 4
hr unit hydrograph: Multiply the ordinate of the hydrograph by the factor (1.0 cm/5.0
cm = 0.20). Note: The unit volume of a UH is associated with 1 cm of effective rainfall
distributed uniformly over the basin area. The 4 hr UH is drawn as shown below;
 3) The 8 hr rainfall (given in the question) produces 3.0 cm as runoff during the first 4 hr
and 4.0 cm runoff in the next 4 hr. Therefore, the 8 hr rainfall has been divided into
two parts; each of 4 hr duration. During the first 4 hr, the 3.0 cm runoff is produced
while in the next 4 hr, the runoff is 4.0 cm.
4) The ordinates of the first part are obtained by multiplying the ordinates of the unit
hydrograph by the factor 3.0 cm/1.0 cm = 3.0. The graph is shown by the red line.
5) The ordinates of the second part will be obtained by multiplying the ordinate of the
UH by the factor 4.0cm/1.0cm = 4.0. The hydrographs of the second part will start 4
hours later than the first part as shown in the graph below (indicated by the black
line).
6) To obtain the final total hydrograph, the ordinates of the two hydrographs are added
together as shown in the graph below (indicated by green line).

7) The calculations are shown in the following table.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Time Rainfall UH First 4 hr Second 4 hr Final 8 hr
(hr) hydrograph ordinates hydrograph hydrograph hydrograph
 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 1.2 0.24 0.72 0 0.72
4 3 0.6 1.8 0 1.8
6 5.6 1.12 3.36 0.96 4.32
8 7.5 1.5 4.5 2.4 6.9
10 6.5 1.3 3.9 4.48 8.38
12 4.5 0.9 2.7 6 8.7
14 2.8 0.56 1.68 5.2 6.88
16 1.5 0.3 0.9 3.6 4.5
18 0.8 0.16 0.48 2.24 2.72
20 0 0 0 1.2 1.2
22 0 0.64 0.64
24 0 0 0

Column (3): Multiply the ordinates of the hydrograph by the factor 1.0 cm/5.0 cm = 0.20
Example: at t = 2.0; 1.20 x 0.20 = 0.24
at t = 8.0; 7.50 x 0.20 = 1.5
Column (4): Multiply the ordinates of the unit hydrograph by the factor 3.0 cm/1.0 cm = 3.0
Example: at t = 2.0; 0.24 x 3.0 = 0.72
at t = 8.0; 1.50 x 3.0 = 4.50
Column (5): Multiply the ordinates of the UH by the factor 4.0cm/1.0cm = 4.0.
Example: at t = 2.0; 0.24 x 4.0 = 0.96 but the hydrographs of the second part will start 4 hours
later than the first part (lag time of 4 hrs) which means it will occur at t = 6.0. (note at t=4, the
value is 0).
at t = 8.0; 1.50 x 4.0 = 6.0 which will occur at t = 12 after considering the lag time of
4 hours.
Column (6): Column (4) + Column (5)

7 For a catchment with an area of 950 km2, the following rainfall-runoff relationship was
observed after a long dry season.

Rainfall 1 1.5 4.6 6.0 8.0 10.2 12.5

(cm)
Runoff 0 0 1.8 2.6 4.2 6.5 9.0
(cm)

A rainfall event with an effective duration of 2 hrs occurred at the catchment and resulted in
the following observed discharge, Q (m3/s) in the river.

Time (hr) 0 3 6 9 12 15 18
Discharge, 0 180 280 220 150 60 0
Q (m3/s)

Assuming zero base flow, determine the following:

i) Runoff (mm) resulting from the rainfall
ii) Quantity of rain (cm)
iii) Average coefficient of runoff
iv) Peak flow resulting from the 4 hr rainfall during which a rainfall of 10 cm was
observed.
Plot the resulting hydrograph. Calculate the value of peak flow and its time.

Solution:

The rainfall-runoff curve relationship is plotted and shown in the following graph:

The hydrograph of the given rainfall of 2 hrs unit duration is plotted as shown below:

The area under this hydrograph is calculated using Simpson’s rule according to the following
equation:
 𝐻
𝐴= [(𝑦𝑜 + 𝑦𝑛 ) + 2(𝑜𝑑𝑑 𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠) + 4(𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠)]
3

𝐻
𝐴= [(𝑦𝑜 + 𝑦𝑛 ) + 2(𝑦1 + 𝑦3 + 𝑦5 + 𝑦7 + ⋯ ) + 4(𝑦2 + 𝑦4 + 𝑦6 + ⋯ )]
3

3ℎ𝑟𝑠
𝐴= [(0 + 0) + 2(180 + 220 + 60) + 4(280 + 150)]
3

The discharge in the river was observed every 3 hours which is 3x60x60 or 10800 seconds

10800𝑠 𝑚3
𝐴= [(920 + 1720) ]
3 𝑠

A = 9504000 m3

The area under the hydrograph (the hydrograph volume in cubic meters) is divided by the
area of the catchment which is 950 km2.

9504000𝑚3
= 0.0100𝑚
1000𝑚 1000𝑚
950𝑘𝑚2 × ×
1 𝑘𝑚 1𝑘𝑚

Note that 0.01 m is 1.0 cm which corresponds to the value of the Unit Hydrograph.
Remember: The unit volume of a UH is associated with 1 cm of effective rainfall distributed
uniformly over the basin area. Therefore, the graph represents the unit hydrograph. This is an
ideal case and no such record may be available.

i) Runoff resulting from the rainfall is 1.0 cm or 10 mm

ii) From the Rainfall-runoff curve, the quantity of rainfall which corresponds to a
runoff of 1.0 cm is approximately 3.1 cm.
iii) Average coefficient of Runoff, C = (Q/P) = 1.0 cm/3.1 cm = 0.32 (Note: This may be
used to calculate Q using the Rational formula: Q = CiA)
iv) Since the UH was produced from a 2 hr effective duration rainfall therefore the
rainfall of 4 hr duration can be divided into two parts, each with two 2 hr
durations. From the rainfall-runoff curve, a 10 cm rainfall produced a 6.3 cm
runoff. Hence runoff for each part = (6.3/2 = 3.15 cm). The ordinates of each
hydrograph can be obtained by multiplying the ordinates of each unit hydrograph
by 3.15 cm/1.0 cm = 3.15. The second part i.e. the second hydrograph needs to be
plotted after a time lag of two hours. The first 2 hr hydrograph is indicated by the
red line while the second 2 hr hydrograph is shown by the green line. These
hydrographs are shown below.
The calculations are shown in the following table below:

Time First 2hr

(hr) 2 hr UH Hydrograph
0 0 0
3 180 567
6 280 882
9 220 693
12 150 472.5
15 60 189
18 0 0

The second hydrograph needs to be adjusted by a lag of 2 hours. Therefore, the time for the
ordinates need to be shifted/lagged by 2 hours also as shown below:

Time Second 2 hr
(hr) Hydrograph
2 0
5 567
8 882
11 693
14 472.5
17 189
20 0
 To calculate the peak runoff, the ordinates of the curves (First 2 hr hydrograph and the
Second 2 hr hydrograph) are added and the final curve (blue line) is drawn as shown below.

The calculations are shown in the following table below:

Time Final
(hr) Hydrograph Calculations
0 0 0
3 767 (567+200)
6 1582 (882+700)
9 1543 (693 + 850)
12 1082.5 (472.5+610)
15 569 (189+380)
18 120 (0+120)
20 0 0

Note: The ordinates from the Second 2 hr hydrograph is read from the graph itself.

From the final hydrograph, the peak flow is 1650 m3/s and occurs at 7.00 am

8 The following direct runoff hydrograph resulted from three 6 hour periods of rainfall having
estimated runoff excesses of 1.5 cm, 4.0 cm and 3.0 cm respectively. For a catchment with an
area of 138 km2 determine the 6-hour unit hydrograph.

Time, t 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36
(hours)
Flow, 0 21 84 92 248 156 240 123 69.4 42.5 14 6 0
qn
(m3/s)
Solution:

Let U1, U2, U3, etc. be the ordinates of unit hydrograph and q1, q2, q3, etc. be the ordinates of
the observed hydrograph.

The equation for any ordinate of the total hydrograph qn in terms of runoff Q and unit
hydrograph ordinate can be written as;

𝑞𝑛 = 𝑄𝑛 𝑈1 + 𝑄𝑛−1 𝑈2 + 𝑄𝑛−2 𝑈3 + ⋯ 𝑄1 𝑈𝑛 equation (9.1)

The first ordinate is q1 = Q1 U1 since Q1 is known (or estimated). U1 can then be determined.
The second ordinate is q2=Q2U1 + Q1U2

The direct runoff hydrograph from three 6 hour periods of rainfall having estimated runoff
excesses of 1.5 cm, 4.0 cm and 3.0 cm respectively is plotted as shown below;

Let Runoff Q1 = 1.5 cm, Q2 = 4.0 cm and Q3 = 3.0 cm

Applying the following equation;
𝑞𝑛 = 𝑄𝑛 𝑈1 + 𝑄𝑛−1 𝑈2 + 𝑄𝑛−2 𝑈3 + ⋯ 𝑄1 𝑈𝑛

The ordinates are to be calculated after 3 hour intervals.

The first ordinate of flow, Q1 due to the first rainfall after 3 hours is due to the first term of
first 6-hour duration;
At t = 3 hr, equation 9.1 becomes: q1 = Q1 U1
or U1 = q1
Q1
U1 = 21 m3/s = 14.0 m3/s/cm
1.5 cm
At t = 6 hr, q2 = 84 m3/s and equation 9.1 becomes: q2 = Q2U1 + Q1U2
The second ordinate of flow due to the second rainfall Q2 has not come into the picture at this
time, therefore Q2 will be zero, and the formula becomes;
q2=Q1U2
or U2= q2
Q1
U2 = 84 m3/s = 56 m3/s/cm
1.5 cm
At t = 9 hr, equation 9.1 becomes: q3 = Q3 U1 + Q2 U2 + Q1 U3
q3 = 0 + Q2 U2 + Q1 U3
q3= 92 m3/s, Q3 = 0.0 cm, Q2 = 4.0 cm and Q1 = 1.5 cm. But at t = 9 hr also, this will be the first
ordinate U1 for second rainfall Q2 and the third ordinate U3 of the first rainfall Q1, hence the
equation simplifies to; q3 = Q1 U3 + Q2 U1
Therefore; 92 = 1.5 (U3) + 4.0 (14.0)
U3 = 24.0 m3/s/cm
At t = 12 hr, equation 9.1 becomes: q4 = Q4U1 + Q3U2 + Q2U3 + Q1U4
q4 = 248 m3/s, Q4 = 0.0 cm, Q3 = 0.0 cm, Q2 = 4.0 cm and Q1 = 1.5 cm. But at t = 12 hr also, this
will be the fourth ordinate U4 of first rainfall Q1 and second ordinate U2 for second rainfall Q2.
Therefore, the equation simplifies to; q4 = Q1U4 + Q2U2
248 = 1.5 (U4) + 4.0 (56)
U4 = 16.0 m3/s/cm
At t = 15 hr, equation 9.1 becomes: q5 = Q5U1 + Q4U2 + Q3U3 + Q2U4 + Q1U5
q5 = 156 m3/s, Q5 = 0.0 cm, Q4 = 0.0 cm, Q3 = 3.0 cm, Q2 = 4.0 cm and Q1 = 1.5 cm. But this will
be the fifth ordinate U5 for the first rainfall Q1, third ordinate U3 for second rainfall Q2 and first
ordinate U1 for third rainfall Q3, thus; q5 = Q1U5 + Q2U3 + Q3U1
156 = 1.5 (U5) + 4.0 (24) + 3.0 (14)
U5 = 12.0 m3/s/cm
At t = 18 hr, equation 9.1 becomes: q6 = Q6U1 + Q5U2 + Q4U3 + Q3U4 + Q2U5 + Q1U6
q6 = 240 m3/s, Q3 = 3.0 cm, Q2 = 4.0 cm and Q1 = 1.5 cm. At t = 18 hr, this will be the sixth
ordinate U6 for the first rainfall Q1, fourth ordinate U4 for second rainfall Q2 and second
ordinate U2 for the third rainfall Q3.
Therefore, the equation simplifies to: q6 = Q1U6 + Q2U4 + Q3U2
240 = 1.5 U6 + 4.0(16.0) + 3.0(56.0)
U6 = 5.33 m3/s/cm
At t = 21 hr, equation 9.1 can be simplifies to q7 = Q1U7 + Q2U5 + Q3U3
123 = 1.5 U7 + 4.0 (12.0) + 3.0 (24.0)
U7 = 2.0 m3/s/cm
(Note: The seventh ordinate U7 for the first rainfall Q1, fifth ordinate U5 for second rainfall Q2
and third ordinate U3 for the third rainfall Q3)
At t = 24 hr, q8 = 69.4 m3/s. Since the seventh ordinate U7 is 2.0 m3/s/cm, the eighth ordinate
U8 should be 0.0m3/s/cm as the flow from the first rainfall event would have stopped. To
verify this: q8 = Q1U8 + Q2U6 + Q3U4
69.4 = 0 + 4.0 (5.33) + 3.0 (16.0)
And; 69.4 = 69.33
Therefore, the left hand side (LHS) is equal to the right hand side (RHS) of the equation.
This means that the proposition (mathematical statement) is true (correct).

From the table, at t = 36 hr, q12 = 0.0 m3/s, only the third rainfall Q3 is most likely to come into
the picture/event with the eighth ordinate U8 value as 0.0m3/s/cm.
Therefore, q12 = Q3 U8
Hence, q12 = 0.0 m3/s which indicates the rainfall event has ended.
At t = 33 hr, q11 = 6.0 m3/s and the third rainfall Q3 is most likely to come into the
picture/event with the seventh ordinate U7 value that needed to be determined.
Hence, q11 = Q3U7
6.0 = 3.0 U7
U7 = 2.0 m3/s/cm
At t = 30 hr, q10 = 14 m3/s. The second rainfall Q2 and together with the third rainfall Q3 will
most likely occurs. Therefore, q10 = Q2 U8 + Q3 U6
14 = 4.0 (0) + 3.0 (U6)
U6 = 4.77 m3/s/cm
At t = 27 hr, q9 = 42.5 m3/s. Therefore, q9 = Q2 U7 + Q3U5
42.5 = 4.0 (2.0) + 3.0 (U5)
U5 = 11.5 m3/s/cm
At t = 24 hr, q8 = 69.4 m3/s. Therefore, q8 = Q1U8 + Q2U6 + Q3U4
69.4 = 0 + 4.0 (4.77) + 3.0(U4)
U4 = 16.77 m3/s/cm
At t = 21 hr, q7 =123 m3/s. Therefore, q7 = Q1U7 + Q2U5 + Q3U3
123 = 1.5 (2.0) + 4.0 (11.5) + 3.0 (U3)
U3 = 24.77 m3/s/cm
At t = 18 hr, q6 = 240 m3/s. Therefore, q6 = Q1U6 + Q2U4 + Q3U2
240 = 1.5(4.77) + 4.0 (16.77) + 3.0 (U2)
U2 = 55.25 m3/s/cm
At t = 15 hr, q5 = 156 m3/s. Therefore, q5 = Q1U5 + Q2U3 + Q3 U1
156 = 1.5 (11.5) + 4.0 (24.77) + 3.0 (U1)
Hence, the first ordinate is: U1 = 13.22 m3/s/cm

Taking the average values for the Unit hydrograph;

U1 = (13.22 + 14.0)/2 = 13.61 m3/s/cm

U2 = (56.0 + 55.25)/2 = 55.6 m3/s/cm
U3 = (24.0 + 24.77)/2 = 24.38 m3/s/cm
U4 = (16.0 + 16.7)/2 = 16.35 m3/s/cm
U5 = (12.0 + 11.5)/2 = 11.75 m3/s/cm
U6 = (4.77 + 5.33)/2 = 5.05 m3/s/cm
U7 = (2.0 + 2.0)/2 = 2.0 m3/s/cm
U8 = 0 m3/s/cm

The ordinates of the UH is shown in the following table:

Time 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 Total
(hr)
Flow 0 13.61 55.6 24.38 16.35 11.75 5.05 2.0 0.0 128.69
m3/s

The final UH (in red line) is drawn as shown below;

 To verify the accuracy of the ordinates of the Unit hydrograph;

Direct Runoff = Total volume of direct runoff

Area of Basin

UH Runoff = 128.69 m3/s x 3 hr x 3600 s/hr

138 km2 x (1000m/km) x (1000m/km)

UH Runoff = 0.01 m = 1.0 cm

Remember: The unit volume of a UH is associated with 1 cm of effective rainfall distributed
uniformly over the basin area. Therefore, the graph represents the unit hydrograph.

9 The analysis of a rainfall resulted in the following 2 hr unit hydrograph. From the 2 hr unit
hydrograph draw up/reproduce a 6 hr unit hydrograph.

Time 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
(hr)
Flow 0 7 20 40 29 17 11.5 7 5.5 3.5 3.0 2.0 0
Q
(m3/s)

Solution:

The UH of the above data are shown in the following figure lagged by 2 hours. The first 2 hr
UH is shown by blue line. The second 2 hr UH is shown by the red line and the third 2 hr UH is
shown by the green line. All three UH are lagged by 2 hours.
The black line indicates the summation of all the ordinates of the three UHs. The following
table showed the calculations. Notice that the values were lagged (shifted) by 2 hr.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Time First 2hr Second Third Total of (6)
(hr) UH 2 hr UH 2hr UH all UH 6 hr UH
0 0 0 0
2 7 0 7 2.33
4 20 7 0 27 9
6 40 20 7 67 22.33
8 29 40 20 89 29.67
10 17 29 40 86 28.67
12 11.5 17 29 57.5 19.17
14 7 11.5 17 35.5 11.83
16 5.5 7 11.5 24 8
18 3.5 5.5 7 16 5.33
20 3 3.5 5.5 12 4
22 2 3 3.5 8.5 2.83
24 0 2 3 5 1.67
26 0 2 2 0.67
28 0 0 0
 The ordinates of the 6 hours UH are obtained by adding all the 2 hr UHs (see column 5 above)
and dividing by 3 to get the average of the three UH (see column 6 in the table). The 6 hr UH
is plotted and shown below.

10 From the basin map of a given watershed, the following quantities are measured: L = 150 km,
Lc = 75 km, and the drainage area = 3500 km2. From the unit hydrograph derived for the
watershed, the following are determined: tR =12 hr, tpR = 34 hr, and peak discharge = 157.5
m3/s.cm. Determine the coefficients Ct and Cp for the synthetic unit hydrograph of the
watershed.

Solution:

Check: 5.5 tR = 5.5 (12) = 66 h which is quite different from tpR of 34 hr (given).

If tpR is quite different from 5.5tR, the standard basin lag is

tp= tpR + (tr – tR) = 34 + tr - 12

4 4
But for a standard unit hydrograph whose rainfall duration tr is related to the basin lag tp by;
tp = 5.5tr
Solving both equations;
5.5tr = 34 + tr - 12
4

Therefore, tr = 5.9 hr and tp = 5.5 (5.9) = 32.5 hr.

Ct is calculated using tp = 0.75 Ct (LLc) 0.3

32.5 = 0.75 Ct (150 x 75) 0.3
Ct = 2.65

The peak discharge per unit area is qpR = 157.5 / 3500 = 0.045 m3/s. km2.cm
 The coefficient derived from gauged watersheds, Cp is calculated by the following formula
with qp, qpR and tp = tpR;
qpR = C2 Cp
tpR
0.045 = 2.75 Cp
34.0
Cp = 0.56

11 Compute the six-hour synthetic unit hydrograph of a watershed having a drainage area of
2500 km2 with L = 100 km and Lc = 50 km. This watershed is a sub-drainage of a watershed
which the Ct = 2.65 and Cp = 0.56 have been previously determined.

Solution:

The basin lag is calculated using the following equation; tp=0.75 Ct (L Lc)0.3
Therefore, tp= 0.75 x 2.65 x (100 x 50) 0.3 = 25.6 hr
Applying the standard unit hydrograph whose rainfall duration tr is related to the basin lag tp
by; tp= 5.5 tr which gives: 25.6 = 5.5 tr or tr = 25.6/5.5 = 4.66 hr.

For a 6 hr unit hydrograph, tR = 6 hr

If tpR is different from 5.5tR, the standard basin lag is;
tp=tpR + (tr – tR)
4
or tpR = tp - (tr – tR) = 25.6 – (4.66 – 6) = 25.6 – (-0.335) = 25.9 hr
4 4

The peak discharge per unit drainage area in m3/s.km2 of the standard unit hydrograph is
calculated as; qp = (2.75 Cp)/tp = (2.75 x 0.56)/25.6 = 0.0602 m3/s.km2.cm and;

The relationship between qp and the peak discharge per unit drainage area qpR of the required
unit hydrograph is: qpR = (qp tp) / tpR = (0.0602 x 25.6)/25.9 = 0.0595 m3/s.km2.cm, and
The peak discharge is: 0.0595 m3/s.km2.cm x 2500 km2 = 148.8 m3/s.cm

The widths of the unit hydrograph are given as:

W75% = 1.22 = 1.22 = 1.22 = 25.7 hr (at 75% peak discharge)
qpR1.08 0.05951.08 0.0475

W 50% = 2.14 = 2.14 = 2.14 = 45.05 hr (at 50% peak discharge)

qpR1.08 0.05951.08 0.0475

The base time is calculated using: tb = 5.56 / qpR = 5.56/ 0.0595 = 93.5 hr
The hydrograph is drawn as shown below and checked to ensure that it represents a depth of
direct runoff of 1.0 cm.

Guide: Peak Point = (25.9 + 3 = 28.9 hr; 148.8 m3/s.cm) = (28.9 hr, 148.8 m3/s.cm)
Width at 75% peak discharge => two coordinates are calculated: 1/3 x 25.7 hr = 8.566 and
28.9 – 8.566 = 20.33 hr and 2/3 x 25.7 hr = 17.12 hr or 17.12 + 28.9 = 46.02 hr; while 75% x
148.8 = 111.6 m3/s.cm. Therefore, width at 75% peak discharge, the following coordinates are
obtained = (20.33 hr, 111.6 m3/s.cm) and (46.02 hr, 111.6 m3/s.cm)
Width at 50% peak discharge => two coordinates are also calculated: 1/3 x 45.05 = 15.02hr
and 28.9 – 15.02 = 13.88 hr and 2/3 x 45.05 = 30.03 hr or 30.03 + 28.9 = 58.93 hr; while 50% x
148.8 = 74.4 m3/s.cm. Therefore, width at 50% peak discharge, the following coordinates are
obtained = (13.88hr, 74.4 m3/s.cm) and (58.93hr, 74.4 m3/s.cm)
The final coordinate is (93.5 hr, 0.0 m3/s.cm). The coordinates are summarized in the
following table and the graph is plotted as shown below.

Time UH
(hr) (m3/s.cm)
0 0
13.88 74.4
20.33 111.6
28.9 148.8
46.02 111.6
58.93 74.4
93.5 0