U.

Shamsi 1

LECTURE 6.
SURFACE WATER 1

CEEGR 6977: Hydrology

Sam Shamsi, Ph.D., P.E.
Adjunct Professor
Department of Civil / Environmental & Chemical Engineering
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OUTLINE
Chapter 5: Surface Water
Hydrographs
Online USGS streamflow hydrograph data
Streamflow measurement
Baseflow separation
Excess rainfall
Direct runoff
-index (phi index) method
Rational method
Time of concentration
Runoff coefficient
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INTRODUCTION
Chapter 5. Surface
Water, Page 127 (1988
Edition)
From Chapter 1: Surface
runoff (stream flow) =
precipitated water SURFACE RUNOFF

discharged to streams
Page 2. global annual
water balance
Evaporation from land
= 61%
Runoff to oceans
= 39%
Surface runoff = 38% Figure 1.1.1 of the Text Book
Groundwater = 1%
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HYDROGRAPH
Hydrograph:
A graph or Rainfall
Hyetograph

table that
describes the
variation of
flow over
time.
Stream flow
Hydrograph
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HYDROGRAPH TYPES
By data type:
1. Discharge (flow
USGS STREAM FLOW HYDROGRAPH

rate) hydrograph
2. Velocity
hydrograph
3. Stage (depth)
hydrograph
By location:
1. Stream hydrograph USGS STREAM STAGE HYDROGRAPH

2. Sewer hydrograph
3. Pipe hydrograph
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STREAMFLOW
HYDROGRAPHS
a. Perennial rivers (humid
climates): most rainfall
becomes baseflow
b. Ephemeral rivers (arid
climates): most rainfall
becomes direct runoff (no
infiltration or baseflow)
c. Snow-fed river:
maximum runoff in spring
and early summer from
snowmelt
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USGS HYDROGRAPH DATA

water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/

USGS 03098700 Crab Creek at Youngstown OH

Printed on Feb 25, 2007

Observed USGS Stream

Flow Hydrograph
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STREAM FLOW MEASUREMENT

1. Staff gauge:
measures water
depth. Depth is
converted to flow STAFF GAUGE

using Q = d . w . v
2. Current meter:
measures water Current
current velocity. Meter

Velocity is
converted to flow
using Q = A . V
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EXCESS RAINFALL
Also known as effective rainfall
That rainfall which is neither retained on the
land surface nor infiltrated into the soil
Excess rainfall = observed total rainfall
abstractions (losses)
Losses = water absorbed by infiltration + water
retained by surface storage and interception
= infiltration + depression storage + interception
Excess rainfall hyetograph: graph of excess
rainfall vs. time
Losses = Observed total rainfall hyetograph
excess rainfall hyetograph
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DIRECT RUNOFF
The runoff resulting from
excess rainfall, usually
measured at the watershed
outlet
Excess rainfall units = inch or cm
Direct runoff units = cfs
Direct runoff = observed stream
flow baseflow
Baseflow = slowly varying flow
in dry weather
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4 HYDROGRAPH COMPONENTS
1.Pre-storm baseflow
recession AB Prior to
intense rainfall, baseflow C
in gradually diminishing
2.Rising limb BC Direct
runoff beginning (B) to
peak flow (C)
3.Falling (recession) limb D
A B E
CD Direct runoff peak
flow (C) to end of direct
runoff (D)
4.Post-storm baseflow
recession DE direct
runoff ends; baseflow
resumes
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4 HYDROGRAPH COMPONENTS
Point D (end of
direct runoff) can
be located by
plotting log Q vs.
time D
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BASEFLOW SEPARATION TECHNIQUES

To separate
baseflow and direct
runoff
Three methods
1. Straight line
method
DIRECT RUNOFF

2. Fixed base method BASEFLOW

BASEFLOW

3. Variable slope
method
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1. STRAIGHT LINE METHOD

Draw a horizontal
line segment (BD1)
from beginning of

Discharge, Q
runoff (point B) to
intersection with Direct Runoff
D

recession curve B
Baseflow
D1

(point D1), or Time

Draw an inclined
line from B to D
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2. FIXED BASE METHOD

1. Determine point D based
on an assumed N value
N = a fixed time after the
hydrograph peak at
which surface runoff
ends N = A0.2

Discharge, Q
2. Draw a vertical line
through peak flow 2

3. Project ahead the pre- Direct Runoff 1 D

storm baseflow till it B
P
E
meets the vertical line at 3
4
point P Baseflow Time
4. Connect P and D using a
straight line
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3. VARIABLE SLOPE
METHOD
1. Draw a vertical line through peak
flow
2. Project forward the pre-storm
baseflow till it meets the vertical
line at point P
3. Determine Point of Inflection (PI)
and draw a vertical line through it
PI: point at which curvature of a 1
curve changes from +ve to -ve

Discharge, Q
4. Draw line segment (DI) backward PI
from baseflow recession to a
point directly below the inflection 3
point Direct Runoff
I
D
5. Connect points P and I B
P 4
2 5
Baseflow Time
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HOW TO ESTIMATE
EXCESS RAINFALL HYETOGRAPH

Two methods
1. -index (phi) method
Applicable when streamflow data are
available
2. SCS method for abstractions
Applicable when streamflow data are not
available
Will be covered in the next lecture
(Surface Water 2)
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-INDEX (PHI) METHOD

The -index is that constant rate of abstractions
(in/hr) that will yield an excess rainfall hyetograph
with a total depth equal to the depth of direct
runoff (Vd) over the watershed.
Six computation steps:
1.Select a time interval t= time interval of observed
rainfall hyetograph
2.Estimate baseflow (might be subjective!)
3.Calculate direct runoff hydrograph using straight
line baseflow separation (subtract baseflow from
streamflow)
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-INDEX (PHI) METHOD

4.Compute volume of direct runoff Vd

n
Vd = Qi t
i =1

Qi=Direct runoff at ith interval

n = number of direct runoff values
5.Compute depth of direct runoff rd
Vd
rd =
A
A = watershed area
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-INDEX (PHI) METHOD

6. Calculate using Eq. 5.3.1
M
rd = (Rm t ) ... Eq. 5.3.1
m =1

M = number of rainfall intervals that actually contribute

to direct runoff
= number of non-zero intervals of excess rainfall
Rm = Observed rainfall in time interval m
Use trial-and-error method
Select a value of M (1, 2, 3, .)
Solve for using Eq. 5.3.1
Example: 5.3.1, Page 136
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EXAMPLE 5.3.1
ESTIMATED

Given data:
Rainfall hyetograph = 6.31

Stream flow hydrograph

t= 0.5 hrs
Watershed area = A = 7.03 mi2
Compute:
1. Depth of direct runoff
hydrograph ESTIMATED
2. -index
3. Depth of excess rainfall
hyetograph
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EXAMPLE 5.3.1
Time Observed
Have precipitation and streamflow data, need to estimate losses
Rain Flow
12000 0
in cfs
0.5
8:30 203
1
10000
9:00 0.15 246
1.5

9:30 0.26 283 2

8000

Streamflow (cfs)
10:00 1.33 828 2.5

10:30 2.20 2323

6000
11:00 2.08 5697
11:30 0.20 9531
4000
12:00 0.09 11025
12:30 8234
2000
1:00 4321
1:30 2246
0
2:00 1802 7:30 PM 9:00 PM 10:30 PM 12:00 AM 1:30 AM 3:00 AM 4:30 AM 6:00 AM
2:30 1230 Time
3:00 713 No direct runoff until after 9:30
And little rainfall after 11:00
3:30 394
4:00 354
4:30 303
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EXAMPLE 5.3.1
Estimate baseflow (straight line method)
Constant = 400 cfs
12000

10000

8000
Streamflow (cfs)

6000

4000

2000

0
7:30 PM 9:00 PM 10:30 PM 12:00 AM 1:30 AM 3:00 AM 4:30 AM 6:00 AM

Time Baseflow (400 cfs) - subjective

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EXAMPLE 5.3.1
Direct

Calculate Direct Time Observed

Rain
in
Flow
cfs
Runoff

cfs

Runoff Hydrograph 8:30

9:00
9:30
0.15
0.26
203
246
283

Streamflow
10:00 1.33 828 428
10:30 2.2 2323 1923
11:00 2.08 5697 5297

baseflow (400 cfs) 11:30

12:00
0.2
0.09
9531
11025
9131
10625
12:30 8234 7834

Column 6 of Table 1:00

1:30
4321
2246
3921
1846
2:00 1802 1402
5.3.1 2:30
3:00
1230
713
830
313
3:30 394
4:00 354
4:30 303
SUM 43550

Qi = Total direct runoff = 43,550 cfs

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EXAMPLE 5.3.1
Compute volume of direct runoff
11 11
Vd = Qi t = t Qi
i =1 i =1

= 3600 s/hr 0.5 hr 43,550 ft 3 /s

= 7.839 107 ft 3

Compute depth of direct runoff

Vd
rd =
A
7.839 10 7 ft 3
=
7.03 mi 5280 2 ft 2
= 0.4 ft
= 4.80 in ANSWER NO. 1
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EXAMPLE 5.3.1
Begin trial-&-error for calculating -index
Let M = 1
R1 = 2.20 at t =10:30 (largest rainfall value)
M
rd = (Rm t )
m =1

= R1 t
4.80 = (2.20 0.5)
= 5.2 in/hr
Not physically possible (rate of abstractions cannot
be negative)
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EXAMPLE 5.3.1
Let M = 2
R1 = 2.20 at t=10:30 (largest rainfall value) 1-hr period with
R2 = 2.08 at t=11:00 (2nd largest rainfall value) largest rainfall

M
rd = (Rm t )
m =1

= R1 + R2 2t
4.80 = (2.20 + 2.08 2 0.5)
= 0.52 in/hr

Not physically possible (rate of abstractions cannot

be negative)
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EXAMPLE 5.3.1
Let M = 3
R1 = 1.33 at t=10:00 (3rd largest rainfall value) 1.5-hr period
R2 = 2.20 at t=10:30 (largest rainfall value) with largest
R3 = 2.08 at t=11:00 (2nd largest rainfall value) rainfall
M
rd = (Rm t )
m =1

= R1 + R2 + R3 3t
4.80 = (1.33 + 2.20 + 2.08 3 0.5)
= 0.54 in/hr ANSWER NO. 2
t = 0.27 in = losses (abstraction)
Check: Since t is greater than all observed rainfall values
except R1, R2 and R3 which contribute to direct runoff
= 0.54 in/hr is a good value.
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EXAMPLE 5.3.1
Calculate excess rainfall hyetograph (ERH)
ERH = observed rainfall (col. 2) 0.27
for m=1,2,3
t=10:00, ERH1 = 1.33-0.27=1.06
t=10:30, ERH2 = 2.20-0.27=1.93
t=11:00, ERH3 = 2.08-0.27=1.81
ERH = 1.06+1.93+1.81 = 4.80
Depth of ERH = 4.80 in ANSWER NO. 3
Check
ERH depth = depth of direct runoff = 4.80
(according to definition of -index)
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RATIONAL METHOD
An empirical equation to estimate peak surface runoff rate
from rainfall intensity
Used in the design of storm sewers and culverts
Applicable to small watersheds less than several hundred acres.
Seldom used for areas greater than 1-2 mi2

Q = C i A ... Eq. 15.5.1/p497

Q = Rate of peak discharge (cfs)

C = runoff coefficient (0 C 1)
i = Rainfall intensity (in/hr) for duration equal to time of
concentration of the watershed
A = Watershed area (acres)
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TIME OF CONCENTRATION
Different areas of a watershed
contribute to runoff at different
times after precipitation begins
Time of concentration
Time at which all parts of the
watershed begin contributing to
the runoff from the watershed
Time of flow from the farthest
point in the watershed
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RUNOFF
COEFFICIENT TABLE

Runoff coefficient is a
function of the soil type,
slope, vegetation, and
other related factors
Example 1:
What is the peak discharge
through a single culvert draining
a forested watershed in Austin
(TX) of 150 acres with average
slope during a 10-year storm
with a rainfall intensity of 6
in/hr?
Q = CiA
From Table 15.1.1, C = 0.36
Q = 0.36 x 6 x 150
Q = 324 cfs
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COMPOSITE RUNOFF COEFFICIENT

For a watershed with multiple surface types (land use
classes), sub-divide the watershed into subareas (or
subcatchments) of uniform surface types and use Eq.
15.1.2
m
Q = i Cj Aj ... Eq. 15.1.2/p497
j =1

Q = Rate of peak discharge (cfs)

i = Rainfall intensity (in/hr)
Cj = runoff coefficient of j - th subarea
Aj = Area of j - th subarea (acres)
m = number of subareas in the watershed

Example 2: In the previous example, if 40% of the area is cultivated land on steep
slope (C = 0.44) and 60% is asphalt parking (C = 0.81), the composite C is
C = (0.4x0.44) + (0.6x0.81), or
= 0.176 + 0.486 = 0.662
Q = CiA
Q = 0.662 x 6 x 150
Q = 595.8 cfs
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RUNOFF COEFFICIENT

Another way to express abstractions (losses)

Used in the Rational Method to estimate peak
flow
Definition related to direct runoff
Ratio of peak rate of direct runoff to the average
intensity of rainfall in a storm
Since intensity is highly variable, its estimation from
observed data is difficult
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RUNOFF COEFFICIENT
Alternate definition ratio of total direct runoff
to total rainfall over a given time period.
Eqn. 5.3.2

rd
C= M
... Eq. 5.3.2 / p139
R
m =1
m

R
m =1
m = Total rainfall

rd = corresponding depth of direct runoff

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EXAMPLE 5.3.2
Determine the runoff coefficient for the storm in Ex.
5.3.1
Solution: Considering only the rainfall that occurred
after the beginning of direct runoff (after 9:30 PM)
rd = 4.80 From Ex. 5.3.1
M

R
m =1
m = 1.33 + 2.20 + 2.08 + 0.20 + 0.09 = 5.90 in

rd 4.80
C= = = 0.81
M
5.90
R
m =1
m
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HOMEWORK
End of chapter problem 5.3.1
Similar to solved example 5.3.1
Calculate
-index
Excess rainfall hyetograph