Era Manual

Chapter 5
Drainage Design Manual – 2013 Hydrology
5 HYDROLOGY
5.1 Introduction
Hydrology is the study of the properties, distribution, and effects of water on the earth's
surface, and in the soils, underlying rocks, and atmosphere. For the purpose of this manual,
hydrology will deal with estimating flood magnitudes as the result of precipitation. In the
design of highway drainage structures, floods are usually considered in terms of peak
runoff or discharge in cubic meters per second (m3/s) and hydrographs as discharge per
time. For structures that are designed to control volume of runoff, like detention storage
facilities, or where flood routing through culverts is used, then the entire discharge
hydrograph will be of interest.
Photo 5-1: Drainage Basin along a Highway
(Source: ERA Website).

The analysis of the peak rate of runoff, volume of runoff, and time distribution of flow is
fundamental to the design of highway drainage structures. Errors in the estimates will
result in a structure that is either undersized and causes more drainage problems or
oversized and costs more than necessary. On the other hand, it is important to realise that
any hydrologic analysis is only estimation. Although some hydraulics analysis is necessary
for all highway drainage structure design, the extent of such studies should be
commensurate with the hazards associated with the hydraulics structures and with other
concerns, including economic, engineering, social, and environmental factors.Because
hydrology is not an exact science, different hydrologic flow estimation methods developed
for determining flood runoff may produce different results for a particular situation.
Therefore, the engineer should exercise sound engineering judgment to select the proper
flow estimation method or methods in estimation design flows. While performing the
hydrological and hydraulics analysis for the design of highway drainage systems, the
hydraulic engineer should recognize and evaluate potential environmental problems that
would impact the specific design of a drainage structure early in the design process.
This chapter will discuss basic hydrologic concepts and provide recommendations for
further research on data collection and establishment of national flow estimation
techniques for Ethiopia. However, internationally recognized flow estimation methods are
recommended for use until a national flow estimation method is established. The users of
this manual should be aware that these methods are developed for specific regions based
Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-1

Chapter 5
Hydrology Drainage Design Manual – 2013
on specific data and they need to be calibrated with local data in Ethiopia before the result
can be used in confidence for project design work.When local data is not available, advice
should be sought from an experienced hydrologist with sound hydrological knowledge and
experience to undertake the hydrological analysis. The internationally available flow
estimation methods are discussed and referenced here but original publications should be
utilized to ensure the correct application of computational procedures.
5.2 Definition and Symbols

The following are concepts that are important in a hydrologic analysis. These concepts will
be used throughout the remainder of this chapter in dealing with different aspects of
hydrologic studies:
Antecedent The soil moisture conditions of the catchment area at the beginning of a storm.
Moisture These conditions affect the volume of runoff generated by a particular storm
Conditions event.Notably they affect the peak discharge only in the lower range of flood
magnitudes – approx. below the 15-year event threshold. As floods become rarer,
antecedent moisture has a rapidly decreasing influence on runoff.
Depression The natural depressions within a catchment area that store runoff.Generally after
Storage the depression storage is filled, runoff will begin.
Frequency The number of times a flood of a given magnitude can be expected to occur on
average over a long period of time. Frequency analysis is the estimation of peak
discharges for various recurrence intervals.Another way to express frequency is
with probability. Probability analysis seeks to define the flood flow with a
probability of being equaled or exceeded in any year.
Hydraulic A composite of the physical characteristics that influence the flow of water across
Roughness the earth's surface, whether natural or channelized. It affects both the time
response of a catchment area and drainage channel, as well as the channel storage
characteristics.
Hydrograph A graph of the time distribution of runoff from a catchment area.
Hyetograph A graph of the time distribution of rainfall over a catchment area.
Infiltration A complex process of allowing runoff to penetrate the ground surface and flow
through the upper soil surface. The infiltration curve is a graph of the time
distribution at which this occurs.
Interception The storage of rainfall on foliage and other intercepting surfaces during a rainfall
event is called interception storage.
Lag Time The time from the centroid of the excess rainfall to the peak of the hydrograph.
Peak Discharge Sometimes called peak flow.The maximum rate of flow of water passing a given
point during or after a rainfall event.
Rainfall Excess The water available to runoff after interception, depression storage and infiltration
has been satisfied.
Stage The elevation of the water surface above some elevation datum.
Time of The time it takes a drop of water falling on the most remote point hydraulically in
Concentration the catchment area to travel through the catchment area to the outlet.
Unit The direct runoff hydrograph resulting from 1mm effective rainfall event that has
Hydrograph a specific temporal and spatial distribution and which lasts for a unit duration of
time. The ordinates of the unit hydrograph are such that the volume of direct
runoff represented by the area under the hydrograph is equal to one millimeter of
runoff from the catchment area.
Page 5-2 Ethiopian Roads Authority

Chapter 5
To provide consistency within this chapter, as well as throughout this manual, the
following symbols will be used. These symbols were selected in the existing manual
because of their wide use in hydrologic publications.
Table 5-1: Symbols
Symbol Definition Units

A Catchment area hec, sq.km.
BDF Basin development factor %
C Runoff coefficient -
Cf Frequency factor -
CN SCS-runoff curve number -
Ct, Cp Physiographic coefficients -
d Time interval hours
DH Difference in elevation m
I Rainfall intensity mm/hr
IA Percentage of impervious area %
Ia Initial abstraction from total rainfall mm
K Frequency factor for a particular return period and skew -
L Lag hours
l Length of mainstream to furthest divide m
Lca Length along main channel to a point opposite the
Catchment area centroid km
M Rank of a flood within a long record -
n Manning roughness coefficient -
N Number of years of flood record years
P Accumulated rainfall mm
Q Rate of runoff m3/s
q Storm runoff during a time interval mm
R Hydraulic radius m
RC Regression constant -
RQ Equivalent rural peak runoff rate m3/s
S or Y Ground slope m/m, m/km or %
S Potential maximum retention storage mm
SCS Soil Conservation Service -
SL Main channel slope m/m
SL Standard deviation of logarithms of peak annual floods -
ST Basin storage factor %
TB Time base of unit hydrograph hours
tc or Tc Time of concentration min or hours
TL Lag time hours
Tr Snyder's duration of excess rainfall hours
UQ` Urban peak runoff rate m3/s
V Velocity m/s
X Logarithm of the annual peak -
5.3 Hydrologic Design Principles

Chapter 2: “Standards and Departures from Standards” defines the general principles for
hydrological and drainage design in accordance with this manual. The hydrological data
available for Ethiopia is generally limited so the procedures that can be applied are

Chapter 5
consequently imprecise. No specific standards or definitive criteria for hydrological

analysis are suitable for recommendation at this time. For standard procedures to be
adopted confidently, storm water runoff coefficients, design parameters and procedures
shall be calibrated.
5.3.1 Peak Discharge versus Frequency Relations

Highway drainage systems are designed to convey predetermined discharges in order to
avoid significant flood hazards. Provisions are also made to convey floods in excess of the
predetermined discharges in a manner that minimizes flood hazards. Flood discharges are
often referred to as peak discharges as they occur at the peak of the stream’s flood
hydrograph (discharge over time). Peak discharge magnitudes are a function of their
expected frequency of occurrence, which in turn relates to the magnitude of the potential
damage and hazard. (All the methods described in this manual allow determination of peak
discharge.)
The highway designer’s main interest in hydrology rests in estimating runoff and peak
discharges for the design of highway drainage facilities. The highway drainage designer is
particularly interested in the development of a flood versus frequency relation, a tabulation
of peak discharges versus the probability of occurrence or exceedance.
The flood frequency relation is usually represented by a flood frequency curve. A typical
flood frequency curve is presented in Figure 5-1. In this example, the discharge is plotted
on the ordinate and the probability of occurrence or exceedance is expressed in terms of
return interval and plotted on the abscissa.
Figure 5-1: Typical Flood Frequency Curve
Also of interest is the performance of highway drainage structures during the frequently
occurring low flood flow periods. Because low flood flows do occur frequently, the
potential exists for lesser amounts of flood damage to occur more frequently. It is entirely
possible to design a drainage facility to convey a large, infrequently occurring flood with
an acceptable amount of floodplain damage only to find that the accumulation of damage
from frequently occurring floods is intolerable. Adequate analysis and provision for
frequently occurring floods (low flows) should be provided.

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5.3.2 Flood Hydrographs

In addition to peak discharges, the hydraulics engineer is sometimes interested in the flood
volume and time distribution of runoff. Sometimes, there might be a requirement to use
flood hydrographs to route floods through culverts, bridges, flood storage structures, and
other highway facilities. This is especially important when an embankment is built across a
floodplain and flood compensation storage area is required to be provided in order to
compensate for the lost natural floodplain storage area due to the construction of the road
embankment and to mitigate the flood risk to the upstream areas.
By accounting for the stored flood volume, the hydraulics engineer can often expect lower
flood peak discharges and smaller required drainage facilities than would be expected
without considering storage volume. This should be considered in the Afar and Somali
region of Ethiopia where flash flood occurs for a limited period.Instead of designing
large culverts or bridges with a required opening to pass the flash flood, which occurs for a
limited period, it will be more economical to provide storage areas upstream of the
proposed crossing to temporary hold the flood and release it at controlled manner.
However, this depends on the availability of land and geomorphology of the site. In this
situation, hydrographs are required instead of peak discharges. Flood hydrographs can also
be used for estimating inundation times of flow over roadways and possible closure time as
well as pollutant and sediment transport analyses (see Figure 5-2 for typical hydrograph).
Figure 5-2: Sample Flood Hydrograph
5.3.3 Unit Hydrographs

A unit hydrograph represents the response of a watershed to a rainfall excess of unit depth
and specific duration. The unit is 1mm that is, the volume associated with an excess
rainfall of 1mm distributed over the entire contributing area (see Figure 5-3 for sample unit
hydrograph).

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Figure 5-3: Sample SCS Dimensionless Unit hydrograph
The response of a watershed to rainfall is considered to be a linear process. This has two
implications that are useful to the drainage designer: The concepts of proportionality and
superposition. For example, the runoff hydrograph resulting from a two-unit pulse of
rainfall of a specific duration would have ordinates that are twice as large as those resulting
from a one-unit pulse of rainfall of the same duration. In addition, the hydrograph resulting
from the sequence of two one-unit pulses of rainfall can be found by the superposition of
two one-unit hydrographs. Thus, by determining a unit hydrograph for a watershed, it is
possible to determine the flood hydrograph resulting from any measured or design rainfall
using these two principles.
5.3.4 Surveys
Since hydrologic considerations can influence the selection of a highway corridor and the
alternate routes within the corridor, site specific studies and investigations shall be
undertaken at the Planning Stage (see Chapter 3: Planning) andrefer to the ERA Route
Selection Manual.In addition, special studies and investigations may be required at
sensitive locations (example wetlands and important archaeological sites). The magnitude
and complexity of these studies shall be commensurate with the importance and magnitude
of the project and problems encountered. Typical data to be included in such surveys or
studies are: topographic maps; aerial photographs; stream flow records; historical high
water marks; flood discharges; and locations of hydraulic features such as reservoirs,
wetlands, water projects, and designated or regulatory floodplain areas (for more detailed
data requirement, refer to Chapter 4).
5.3.5 Flood History

All hydrologic analysis shall consider the flood history of the area and the effect of these
historical floods on existing and proposed structures. The flood history includes the
historical floods and the flood history of any existing structures near the proposed project
area.
Interagency Coordination
A hydrologic analysis is prerequisite to identifying flood hazard areas and determining
those locations where construction and maintenance will be unusually expensive or
hazardous. Since many levels of government plan, design, and construction of highway
and water resource projects might affect each other, interagency coordination is desirable

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and often necessary. In addition, agencies can share data and experiences within project
areas to assist in the completion of accurate hydrologic analysis. Interagency coordination
between the Ministries of Transport, Water & Energy, Agriculture and Telecommunication
etc. is very important.
Documentation
Experience indicates that the design of highway drainage structures should be documented
adequately. Frequently, it is necessary to refer to plans and specifications long after the
actual construction has been completed. Thus, it is necessary to fully document the
collected raw hydrological data and the results of all hydrologic analysis including the
hydrological modeling reports and model results.
5.3.6 Sources of Hydrological Information

Hydrological information can be obtained from the Ministry of Water and Energy. The
type and source of information available for hydrologic analysis will vary from site to site
and it is the responsibility of the designer to determine what information is available and
applicable to a particular analysis. A comprehensive list of data sources is included in
Chapter 4: Data Collection, Evaluation and Documentation. However, hydrological data
is scarce in Ethiopia. The available rainfall and flow data is also of poor quality.
Factors Affecting Flood Runoff
Runoff: Two main factors influence runoff from a watershed: precipitation and
abstractions. Precipitation in Ethiopia is represented as rainfall. Rainfall rate distributions
within a watershed vary both temporally and spatially. For most determinations of peak
flows for use in road drainage design and analysis efforts, it is commonly assumed that
rainfall rates not to vary within the watershed during the rainfall event. However, this
assumption only holds true for small and medium size catchments.
Generally, the entire volume of rainfall occurring on a watershed does not appear as runoff.
Losses, known as abstractions, tend to reduce the volume of water appearing as runoff.
Abstractions of precipitation in its evolution into runoff are numerous. However, for the
typical highway drainage design problem, only six abstractions are commonly considered.
These are discussed below in the order of their significance to the rainfall runoff.
• Infiltration: Infiltration is the amount of precipitation that percolates into the
ground within the watershed. This abstraction is a function of soil type and
characteristics, terrain slopes, and ground cover. In order to assess infiltration,
detailed topographical, soil data and land cover/use map is required. However,
availability and quality of this data is very limited in Ethiopia. In areas where these
data are scarce, the engineer should use alternative methods.
• Depression storage: Depression storage is the precipitation stored permanently in
inescapable depressions within the watershed. It is a function of land use, ground
cover, and general topography (see comments above).
• Detention storage: Detention storage is the precipitation stored temporarily in
streams, channels, and reservoirs within the watershed. It is a function of the
general drainage network of streams, channels, ponds, etc. within the watershed.
• Interception: Interception is the precipitation that serves to first “wet” the physical
features of the watershed (e.g., leaves, rooftops, pavements). It is a function of most
watershed characteristics.

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• Evaporation: Evaporation is the precipitation that returns to the atmosphere as

water vapor by the process of evaporation from water concentrations. It is mostly a
function of climate factors, but it is associated with exposed areas of water surface.
• Transpiration: Transpiration is the natural process of vegetation foliage which
generates this. It is a function of ground cover and density of vegetation.
The specific consideration of each of these abstractions is not usually explicit in the many
hydrologic methods available. An extensive data set is also required in order to make a full
assessment of the above abstractions, which is currently not available. It is recommended
that primary data collection technique to be developed and primary data acquired to
assess the above abstractions.
Watershed Area Information: Most runoff estimation techniques use the size of the
contributing watershed as a principal factor. Generally, runoff rates and volumes increase
with increasing drainage area. The size of a watershed will not usually change over the
service life of the road drainage facility. However, agricultural activity and land
development may cause the watershed area to change over time. Flow diversions and
catchment area changes due to urbanization and other development inevitably will also
occur at some point in the future. The drainage designer should try to identify or otherwise
anticipate such changes. Urbanization, deforestation, infrastructure, development including
roads, railways, and water resources projects (dams and reservoirs) will be anticipated to
occur in the future in Ethiopia.This should be taken into consideration and consultation
with the federal and regional government offices is required in order to establish and
identify areas allocated for future development.
On the other hand, the watershed shape will also affect rainfall runoff rates. For example, a
long, narrow watershed is likely to experience lower runoff rates than a short, wide
watershed of the same size and other characteristics. Some hydrologic methods
accommodate watershed shape explicitly or implicitly; others may not. If a drainage area is
unusually irregular extremely narrow, the designer should consider using a hydrologic
method that explicitly accommodates this watershed shape.
Figure 5-4: Catchment shape
(Courtesy of Alan A. Smith Inc)

The response of a watershed to rainfall runoff may vary with respect to the direction in
which a storm event passes. Generally, for design purposes, the orientation of the

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watershed may be ignored because it is common to assume uniform rainfall distribution

over the watershed.
Geographic Location: The geographic location of the watershed within Ethiopia is a
significant factor for the drainage designer. Rainfall intensities and distributions, empirical
hydrologic relations, and hydrologic method applications vary because of geographic
location. In Ethiopia, the rainfall distribution is mainly affected by topography. The
designer should use hydrologic methods and parameters that are appropriate for the
specific location in the country.
Land Use: Land use significantly affects the parameters of a runoff event. Land use and
human activity within most watersheds vary with respect to time. For example, a rural
watershed can be developed into a commercial area in a short period. Factors subject to
change with general variations in land use include the following:
• Permeable and impermeable areas;
• Vegetation;
• Minor topographic features; and
• Drainage systems.
All of these factors usually affect the rate and volume of runoff that may be expected from
a watershed. Therefore, it is important to consider current land use and future potential
land use change in the development of the parameters of any runoff hydrograph.
Soil Type: Soil type can have considerable effect on the discharge rates of the runoff
hydrograph; the soil type directly affects the permeability of the soil and thus the rate of
rainfall infiltration. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a good
repository for information about soils but the soil parameters specified in NRCS should be
calibrated and validated with site-specific local data within Ethiopia before it can be used
in hydrological analysis.
Topography: Topography mostly affects the rate at which runoff occurs. The rate of
runoff increases with increasing slope. Furthermore, rates of runoff decrease with
increasing depression storage and detention storage volumes. Many methods incorporate a
watershed slope factor, but fewer methods allow the designer to consider the effects of
storage on runoff. The drainage designer should take this limitation of the chosen method
into consideration.
Vegetation: In general, runoff decreases with increasing density of vegetation; vegetation
helps to reduce antecedent soil moisture conditions and increases interception such as to
increase initial rainfall abstractions. Vegetative characteristics can vary significantly with
the land use; therefore, consider this in the assessment of potential future land use changes
of the watershed.
Detention Storage Systems: Detention storage systems are common in urban areas mostly
aimed at controlling increased runoff from developed areas. The ERA drainage designer
should identify any detention storage systems that might exist within the subject
watershed. A detention storage facility can attenuate the runoff hydrograph, thus reducing
the peak discharge. The ERA may design facilities that involve detained storage to
conform to Ethiopian environmental regulations, to cooperate with local regulations, or
where flood attenuation is deemed necessary.
Flow Diversions: Flow diversions within a watershed can change the runoff travel times
and subsequent peak discharge rates. They can decrease discharge at some locations and
increase discharge elsewhere. Flow diversions may redirect flow away from a location

Chapter 5
during light rainfall but overflow during heavy rainfall. Assess the likely effect of
diversions that exist within the watershed. Also, ensure that the potential impact of
necessary diversions resulting from the highway project is minimized.
Channelization: Channelization in an urban area includes the following:
• Improved open channels;
• Curb and gutter street sections;
• Inverted crown street sections; and
• Storm drain systems.
Any of these channelization types serve to make drainage more efficient. This means that
flows in areas with urban channelization can be greater, and peak discharges occur much
more quickly than where no significant channelization exists.
Future Conditions: Changes in watershed characteristics and climate directly affect runoff
rates. A reasonable service life of a designed system is expected. Therefore, base the
estimate of design flood upon runoff influences within the time of the anticipated service
life of the facility.
Prediction Information: In general, consider estimates for future land use and watershed
character within some future range. It is difficult to predict the future, but the designer
should make an effort at such a prediction, especially with regard to watershed
characteristics. Local and federal officials and planners can often provide information on
potential future characteristics of the watershed. In estimating future characteristics of the
watershed, consider changes in vegetative cover, surface permeability, and controlled
drainage systems. Climatic changes usually occur over extremely long periods of time
however, it is reasonable to consider potential climatic changes during the anticipated life
span of the facility.
Photo 5-2: Vegetation and land use significantly affect watershed hydrology

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Photo 5-3 Deforestation alters the runoff patterns and volumes in watersheds
Photo 5-4: Debris flows interrupt the traffic and cause extensive damage.
5.4 Design and Check Frequency

As with other natural phenomena, occurrence of flooding is governed by chance. The
chance of flooding is described by a statistical analysis of flooding history in the subject
watershed or in similar watersheds. Because it is not economically feasible to design a
structure for the maximum possible runoff from a watershed, the designer must choose a
design frequency appropriate for the structure.
All proposed structures are sized using the specified design frequency as provided in Table
2-1 of Chapter2. The following text further develops the choices presented in this table.
A design frequency shall be selected to match the facility’s cost, amount of traffic,
potential flood hazard to property, expected level of service, political considerations, and
budgetary constraints, considering the magnitude and risk associated with damages from
larger flood events. With long highway routes having no practical detour, where many sites
are subject to independent flood events, it may be necessary to increase the design
frequency at each site to avoid frequent route interruptions from floods.In selecting a
design frequency, potential upstream land use changes that could reasonably occur over the
anticipated life of the drainage facility shall be considered.
Detailed evaluation of the above factors for every site to select a design frequency is
generally lengthy and very tedious.The time required may not be justified on every
project.The frequencies in Chapter 2, Table 2.1 shall be used unless site conditions warrant

Chapter 5
an economic analysis to determine a new frequency. However, no interstate highway or

expressway shall be designed for less than a 50-year flood frequency.
Storm drain systems in urban areas have two separate drainage systems. One of the
systems is the minor system to handle the frequently recurring storms.The minor system
consists of underground piping, natural waterways and required appurtenances to protect
against the average storms.The second system is the major system to handle the large
infrequent flows.The major system includes street flow and other overflow provisions to
pass the infrequent, large flows and protect against excessive property damage and
ponding depth (see Figure 5.5 below).
Figure 5-5: Urban Storm DrainageSystems

(Source: Designing for exceedance in urban drainage- good practice guide, CIRIA C635, 2006)
Where the standards of another agency, such as a city, exceed the values given in chapter
2, the design shall meet the higher standards unless they are demonstrably inappropriate.
Appropriate local city and regional drainage criteria shall be used on off-system projects
where improvements are being proposed.
Bridges and culverts may need to be rehabilitated before they are structurally deficient and
it is possible that some of these existing structures do not meet current design criteria or
frequency provided in this manual. All drainage structures proposed for rehabilitation
should be evaluated to determine design frequency under current design criteria and any
hazards related to undersized structures. If the existing structure is undersized, the engineer
should consider the relative risk and cost associated with rehabilitation or replacement of
the drainage structure to determine the most appropriate action.
The frequency with which a given flood can be expected to occur is the reciprocal of the
probability or chance that the flood will be equaled or exceeded in a given year.If a flood
has a 20 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded each year, over a long period of
time, the flood will be equaled or exceeded on an average of once every five years. This is
called the return period or recurrence interval (RI). Thus, the exceedance probability
equals 100/RI.
The designer should note that the 5-year flood is not one that will necessarily be equaled or
exceeded every five years. There is a 20 percent chance that the flood will be equaled or
exceeded in any year; therefore, the 5-year flood could conceivably occur in several
consecutive years. The same reasoning applies to floods with other return periods.

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Mathematically, the probability of non-occurrence is:

= (1 − 1/) (5-1)
Where f = year flood; and n = return period.
The probability of occurrence is:
= 1 − 1 − (1 − 1/) (5-2)
For example, the chance of a 50-year flood, f, or greater event occurring in any 10 year
period, n, is: P = 1-(1-1/50)10 = 0.18
This is an 18% chance of occurrence and an 82% chance of non-occurrence.The equation
can be applied to floods with other return periods.
Table 5-2: Flood Probabilities
Flood of years Percentage probability that a flood of frequency “f” or larger will occur
frequency at least once during the period of “n” years
1 year 10 year 25 year 50 year

2 years 50% 99% 99% 99%
10years 10% 64% 93% 99%
25 years 4% 34% 64% 87%
50 years 2% 18% 40% 64%
100 years 1% 10% 22% 30%
(Source: Texas Department of Transportation Hydraulic Design Manual, 2006)
The values in this column are often used to define the probability of flood occurrence; e.g.,
a 100 year flood is also defined as a 1% flood.
Cross Drainage:A cross drainage facility shall be designed to accommodate a discharge
with a given return period(s) for the following circumstances. The design shall be such that
the backwater (the headwater) caused by the structure for the design storm does not:
Increase the flood hazard significantly for upstream properties;
Overtop the highway; or
Exceed a certain depth on the highway embankment.
Based on these design criteria, a design-involving roadway overtopping of short duration
for floods larger than the design event is an acceptable practice. Usually, if overtopping is
allowed, the structure may be designed to accommodate a flood of some lower frequency
with overtopping.
Storm Drains: A storm drain shall be designed to accommodate a discharge with a given
return period(s) for the following circumstances. The design shall be such that the storm
runoff does not:
• Increase the flood hazard significantly for local properties;
• Encroach on to the street or highway so as to cause a significant traffic hazard; or
• Limit traffic, emerging vehicle, or pedestrian movement to an unreasonable extent.
Based on these design criteria, a design involving a street or road inundation of short
duration for floods larger than the design event is an acceptable practice.

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5.4.1 Design Discharge Estimation

Estimating peak discharges for various recurrence intervals is one of the most common
engineering challenges faced by drainage structure designers. This is the main challenge in
Ethiopia where there is no adequate primary data to base the analysis. During the manual
revision work and the site visit, it was noted that many of the bridges either are overtopped
or washed away by floods by being unable to accommodate the flow generated by the
catchment upstream of the crossing. Therefore, flow estimation methods should be
calibrated with locally collected data.Discharge determination can be divided into two
general categories:
• Gauged sites - the site is at or near a gauging station and the stream flow record is
of sufficient length, then statisticalanalysis should be used to estimatepeak flows.
• Ungauged sites - the site is not near a gauging station and no stream flow record is
available.
Hydrologic procedures that can be used for both categories stated above will be discussed
in the next sections.
5.4.2 Rainfall vs. Frequency

Certain hydrologic procedures use rainfall and rainfall frequency as the basic input instead
of flood frequency. It is also commonly assumed that the 10-year rainfall will produce the
10-year flood. Depending on antecedent soil moisture conditions, and other hydrologic
parameters, there may not be a direct relationship between rainfall and flood frequency.
For projects on small basins (under 25.9 sq. km) it is usually not practicable to distinguish
between rainfall frequency and runoff frequency due to lack of available data. However,
based on research in UK, 140 years rainfall is expected to generate a 100 year flood.
5.4.3 Check Flood Frequencies

From the standpoint of drainage structure utilization, design a structure that will operate in
the following manner:
• Efficiently for lesser floods;
• Adequately for the design flood; and
• Acceptably for greater floods.
For these reasons, it is often important to consider floods of other magnitudes. To define
the peak flows for frequencies other than the design frequency, use the approach of
developing a general flood-frequency relation for the subject site.
The review (check) flood shall be at least as provided in Chapter 2, Table 2-1. In some
cases, a flood event larger than the specified review flood might be used for analysis to
ensure the safety of the drainage structure and downstream communities. In some cases,
evaluate a flood event larger than the 100-year flood (super-flood) to ensure the safety of
the drainage structure and downstream communities.
A 500-year flood analysis is required for checking the design of bridge foundations against
potential scour failure.
If a catastrophic failure of a bridge or culvert can release a flood wave that would result in
loss of life, disruption of essential services, or excessive economic damage, the bridge or
culvert design should be evaluated in terms of a probable maximum flood or PMF. For
example, a culvert under normal flood operation will act like a dam. PMF considers the

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conditions under which the culvert/dam may fail.The PMF is not related to an event
frequency but is a specialized analysis.
5.5 Hydrologic Analysis Method

Stream flow measurements for determining a flood frequency relationship at or near a site
are usually unavailable. In such cases, it is an accepted practice to estimate peak runoff
rates and hydrographs using statistical or empirical methods. In general, results from using
several methods should be compared, not averaged. The discharge that best reflects local
project conditions, with the reasons documented, should be used.
In general, follow the following guidelines to select Flow Estimation Methods (FEMs):
• Compare results from several methods;
• Use the discharge that appears to best reflect local project conditions. Averaging of
results of several methods is not recommended; and
• Document reasons supporting the selection of the results.
The peak discharge is adequate for design of conveyance systems such as storm drains,
open channels, culverts, and bridges. However, if the design necessitates flood routing
through areas such as storage basins and complex conveyance networks, a flood
hydrograph is required.
Chapter 2defines the general principles for hydrological and drainage design in accordance
with this manual. The hydrological data available for Ethiopia is generally limited so the
procedures that can be applied are consequently imprecise and they should be used with
caution. No specific standards or definitive criteria for hydrological analysis are suitable
for recommendation at this time as the available data is not sufficient to warrant
establishing specific criteria for hydrological analysis for Ethiopia. Although there is more
data with long records since the publication of the 2002 ERA Drainage Manual, the quality
of the available data is still inadequate.For standard procedures to be adopted storm water
runoff coefficients and other parameters shall be calibrated and validated with locally
available data.
Many hydrologic methods are available for estimating peak discharges and runoff
hydrographs. The omission of other flow estimation methods from this manual does not
necessarily preclude their use. The methods to be used and the circumstances for their use
are listed below in Table 5.3.Each method has a range of application and limitations, which
the engineer should clearly understand prior to using them.Basin size, hydrologic and
geographic region, dominant precipitation type, elevation, and level of development are all
important factors. The engineer must ensure that the selected hydrologic method is
appropriate for the basin conditions and that sufficient data is available to perform the
required calculations. If possible, the method should be calibrated to local conditions and
flood history. Several methods will be appropriate for predicting peak flood rates and
volumes at most sites.Comparison of hydrologic prediction methods on recurrence interval
curves should be performed in selection of peak flow rates for a drainage design.
The following methods and sources can be used in determining peak flood magnitudes for
design of road drainage structures in Ethiopia.

Chapter 5
The following are some of the most widely used flow estimation methods:
• Rational Method;
• NRCS Runoff Curve Number Methods;
• Statistical analysis of stream data; and
• Regional regression equations.
Rational Method: The Rational Method provides estimates of peak runoff rates for small
urban and rural watersheds of less than 50 hectares (0.5 square km) and in which natural or
man-made storage is small. It is best suited to the design of urban storm drain systems,
small side ditches and median ditches, and driveway pipes. It shall be used with caution if
the time of concentration exceeds 30 minutes. Rainfall is a necessary input for this method
of flow estimation. See Section 5.6 for more information on the Rational Method.
NRCS Runoff Curve Number Methods: The Natural Resources Conservation Service
(formerly Soil Conservation Service) developed the runoff curve number method as a
means of estimating the amount of rainfall appearing as runoff. Technical Release 20 (TR
20) employs the Runoff Curve Number Method and a dimensionless unit hydrograph to
provide estimation of peak discharges and runoff hydrographs from complex watersheds.
The procedure allows the designer to estimate the effect of urbanization, channel storage,
flood control storage, and multiple tributaries. TR 20 can be applied to the design of
culverts, bridges, detention ponds, channel modification, and analysis of flood control
reservoirs. Technical Release 55 (TR 55) is a simplified form of TR 20 for use in
estimating peak discharges for small watersheds (urban and rural) whose time of
concentration does not exceed 10 hours. TR 55 includes a hydrograph development
procedure; however, where hydrograph determination is necessary, use TR 20 or another
hydrograph procedure. See Section 5.7 for more information on the NRCS Runoff Curve
Number Methods.The unit hydrograph used by the SCS method is based upon an analysis
of a large number of natural unit hydrographs from a broad cross section of geographic
locations and hydrologic regions in USA. The rainfall depth to be used as input is
presented in Table 5-19 at the end of this chapter.
However, the SCS Curve Number method is applicable to small catchments (maximum
area 6,500 ha) with a time of concentration for any sub-area of 0.1 – 10 hours (NRCS,
2002).
As detailed in Highway Hydrology - Hydraulic Design Series -2, The SCS method should
be used on watersheds that are homogeneous in CN; where parts of the watershed have
CNs that differ by 5, the watershed should be subdivided and analyzed using a hydrograph
method, such as TR-20 (SCS, 1984).
The SCS method should be used only when the CN is 50 or greater and the tc is greater
than 0.1 hour and less than 10 hours. The computed value of Ia/P should be between 0.1
and 0.5.
The method should be used only when the watershed has one main channel or when there
are two main channels that have nearly equal times of concentration; otherwise, a
hydrograph method should be used.
Other methods should also be used when channel or reservoir routing is required, or where
watershed storage is either greater than 5 percent or located on the flow path used to
compute the etc.

Chapter 5
Statistical Analysis of Stream Gauge Data: Where stream gauge data are available,
stream gauge data can be used to develop peak discharges.The Ministry of Water &
Energy keeps annual stream gauge data.The method commonly used for estimating the
peak discharges is usually Log-Pearson Type III distribution. However, as the record
length is increased, a Log-Normal distribution or General Extreme Value (GEV)
distribution could also be used. The recent data analysis demonstrated that GEV can be
used to estimate the peak flow in Ethiopia. See Section 5.9 for more information on
statistical analysis of stream gauge data.It is recommended that the distribution method,
which gives a best fit to the record data, should be used.
Regional Regression Equations: Regional regression equations provide estimates of peak
discharge for watersheds in specific geographic regions. See Section 5.10 for more
information on regional regression methods and equations.
Of these possible hydrologic methods based on the available data, it should be noted that,
at the present time, only the Rational and SCS methods are applicable to the whole
country.Regression equations and derivations from stream gauging (Gumbel, Log Pearson,
General Extreme Value) are often preferred but rely on data not available. For this reason,
only the Rational Method and the SCS method are given in this chapter.
Table 5-3: Application and limitation of flood estimation methods
Recommended Return period of

Method Input data maximum flood that could be
area(km 2 ) determined (years)
Catchment area, watercourse
Rational Method length, average slope, catchment <0.5 2 – 200, PMF
characteristics, rainfall intensity
length, length to catchment
SCS Method centroid (centre), mean annual 0.5 to 65 2 – 200, PMF
rainfall, veg. type,soil coverand
synthetic regional unit hydrograph
Synthetic length, length to catchment
Hydrograph centroid (centre), mean annual 0.5 to 5000 2 -200
Method rainfall, veg. type and synthetic
regional unit hydrograph
Empirical length, distance to catchment No limitation
2 – 200, PMF
Methods centroid (centre), mean annual large areas
rainfall
Statistical No limitation, 2 – 200 (depending
Historical flood peak records
Method large areas on the record length)
5.5.1 Hydrologic Analysis Procedure Flowchart

The hydrologic analysis procedure flowchart Figure 5-6 shows the steps needed for the
hydrologic analysis and the designs that will use the hydrologic estimates.

Chapter 5
Figure 5-6: Hydrologic Analysis Procedure Flowchart

Chapter 5
5.6 Time of Concentration
5.6.1 Description
Hydrologic methods require an estimation of the time of concentration. This section
provides guidance on ways to estimate time of concentration and covers the following
topics: description, flow components, and procedure to estimate time of concentration.
The time of concentration (Tc) is used in the Rational Method to determine the critical
rainfall duration, which can then be combined with an appropriate rainfall intensity
duration frequency (IDF) relation to establish the required design rainfall intensity. The Tc
is the time required for water to flow from the most remote point of the basin to the
location being analyzed.
A storm equal to this duration will permit direct runoff to arrive from all points in the
watershed concentrating at the outlet. This time measure is taken to be the critical time by
many flood-estimating approaches, in that it is assumed that the use of any other time
would result in a lower flood estimate.A shorter time, although resulting in higher rainfall
intensity, will not permit the entire basin to contribute flow simultaneously. A longer
duration allows the entire basin to contribute, but with a lower intensity.
Many different Tc formulas are available, and it is through the selection and use of these
formulas result in greatest error that typically occurs in applying the Rational Formula to
non-urban watersheds.While some error occurs in assigning runoff coefficients, as there is
a large range of possible values for each surface condition, the realistic determination of
the response time of the basin is the greatest challenge, particularly for natural (rural)
basins. Bondelid et al (1982) found that upwards of 75% of errors in peak flow estimates
can be attributed to errors in the time of concentration.
Examples of popular Tc equations can be found in most hydrology texts books, such as
those by Chow et al (1988), Maidment (1993), and McCuen (1989), and the different
equations generally give a wide range of estimates for any particular set of basin
parameters. This situation reflects differences in the data sets used in deriving the
equations, and illustrates that most equations are generally unreliable when applied to areas
that are different from those used for their development.
The Kirpich and Hathaway equations are widely used to estimate time of concentration.
However, the designer should be aware that both equations have been developed from
limited data for a specific site. The Kirpich equation was developed from data for six
agricultural watersheds in Tennessee, USA (ranging in size from 0.4 ha to 45 ha), with
well defined channels and slopes ranging from 3% to 10% (Viessman and Lewis 1996).
The Hathaway formula was developed on the basis of data from very small watersheds
(<1.8ha), where the slopes were less than 1% and storm runoff was dominated by surface
flow (MaCuen 1989).
Drainage design practitioners in Ethiopia should be aware of the limitation of any formula
used to calculate time of concentration before applying it to estimate time of concentration
to be used in the Rational Method.

Chapter 5
5.6.2 Flow Path Consideration

There may be a number of possible paths to consider in determining the longest travel
time. Identify the flow path along which the longest travel time is likely to occur. This is a
trial and error process.
Generally, it is reasonable to consider the three following components of flow that can
characterize the progression of runoff along a travel path: overland flow (sheet flow),
shallow concentrated flow, and conduit and open channel flow (or concentrated channel
flow).
For each drainage area, determine the distance (L) from the outlet of the drainage area to
the most remote point. Determine the average slope (S) for the same distance.
For a specific drainage basin, the time of concentration consists of an inlet time plus the
time of flow in a closed conduit or open channel to the design point.Inlet time is the time
required for runoff to flow over the surface to the nearest inlet and is primarily a function
of the length of overland flow, the slope of the drainage basin, and surface cover. Pipe or
open channel flow time can be estimated from the hydraulic properties of the conduit or
channel.
For each catchment area, the distance is determined from the inlet to the most remote point
in the tributary area. From a topographic map, the average slope is determined for the same
distance. The runoff coefficient (C) is determined by the procedure described in a
subsequent section of this chapter.
To obtain the total time of concentration, the pipe or open channel flow time must be
calculated and added to the inlet time. After first determining the average flow velocity in
the pipe or channel, the travel time is obtained by dividing velocity into the pipe or channel
length. Manning’s Equation can be used to determine velocity (see Chapter 6: Open
Channels).
Pipe or open channel flow time can be estimated from the hydraulic properties of the
conduit or channel. Generally, for ERA application, it is reasonable to assume uniform
flow and employ Manning’s Equation for Uniform Flow for open channel and conduit flow
considerations.
For open channel flow, consider the uniform flow velocity based on bank-full flow
conditions. That is, the main channel is flowing full without flow in the overbanks. This
assumption avoids the significant iteration associated with other methods that employ
rainfall intensity or discharges (because rainfall intensity and discharge are dependent on
time of concentration).
For conduit flow, in a proposed storm drain system, compute the velocity at uniform depth
based on the computed discharge at the upstream. Otherwise, if the conduit is in existence,
determine full capacity flow in the conduit, and determine the velocity at capacity flow. It
is necessary to compare this velocity later with the velocity calculated during conduit
analysis. If there is a significant difference and the conduit is a relatively large component
of the total travel path, re-compute the time of concentration using the latter velocity
estimate.

Chapter 5
5.6.3 Peak Discharge Adjustments

In some cases, runoff from a portion of the drainage area that is highly impervious may
result in a greater peak discharge than would occur if the entire area were considered. In
these cases, it is possible to adjust the drainage area and time of concentration by
disregarding those areas where flow time is too slow to add to the peak discharge.
Sometimes it is necessary to estimate several different contributing areas and associated
times of concentration to determine the design flow that is critical for a particular
application.
5.6.4 Overland Flow Path Selection

In drainage system design, the overland flow path is not necessarily perpendicular to the
contours shown on available mapping. Often, the land will be graded and swales and
streets will intercept the flow that reduces the time of concentration. Care should be
exercised in selecting overland flow paths in excess of 60 m in urban areas and 120 m in
rural areas.
(i) Calculation of the Time of Concentration for Overland Flow
Overland flow is the type of flow that occurs in small, flat or in upper reaches of
catchments, where there is no clearly defined watercourse. Run-off, then, is in the form of
thin layers of water flowing slowly over the fairly uneven ground surface.The kerby
formula is recommended for the calculation of Tc in this case. It is only applicable to parts
where the slope is fairly even.
.
= 0.604 . (5-3)
Where:
Tc= time of concentration (hours)
r = roughness coefficient obtained from Table 5-6
L=hydraulic length of catchment, measured along flow path from the catchment boundary to
the point where the flood needs to be determined (km)
H
S=Slope of the catchment S = (m/m) See figure 5-7
1000 L
H =height of most remote point above outlet of catchment (m)
Figure 5-7: Slope definition for overland flow

Chapter 5
(ii) Calculation of Time of Concentration for Defined Watercourses

In a defined watercourse, channel flow occurs. The recommended empirical formula for
calculating the time of concentration in natural channels was developed by the US Soil
Conservation Service.
.#$
.
= !"
(5-4)
Where:
Tc = time of concentration (hours).
L = hydraulic length of catchments measured along flow path from the catchment boundary
to the point where the flood needs to be determined (km).
Sav= average slope (m/m).
The average slope may be determined graphically in two ways. The first procedure is
based on the balance of areas obtained by balancing the areas above and below the line of
the average slope as shown Figure 5.8. Alternatively, the formula developed by the US
Geological Survey, and referred to as the 1085-slope method could be used Figure 5.9.
Figure 5-8: Slope according to weighted area method

In most cases, the longest water path includes both overland and channel flow. In large
catchments, the channel flow is usually dominant, but in small catchments, it may be
necessary to determine Tc as the sum of flow times, for overland and channel flow. To
obtain a broad indication, it may be accepted that a defined watercourse exits when the
average slope of the catchment is greater than 5 percent, and the catchment itself is larger
than 5km2.

Chapter 5
Figure 5-9:1085-slope according to “US Geological survey”
Figure 5-10:Calculation of main channel slope

The formula for determining the slope according to the 1085-slope methods reads:
( ( (
%&' = ( .)*+ .,*
)(.$)
%&' = ( )(.$)
(5-5)
Where:
Sav =average slope (m/m)
H 0.10L =elevation height at 10% of the length of the watercourse (m)
H 0.805L = elevation height at 85% of the length of the watercourse (m)
L = length of watercourse (km)
H = H 0.805L - H 0.10L (m)
The height of waterfalls and high rapids are subtracted from the gross H value.
iii Calculation of the Time of Concentration for Urban Areas
In urban areas, the time of concentration should be determined, where applicable, by
means of the flow velocities according to the Chezy or Manning’s equation for uniform
flow through representative cross-sections with representative slopes.

Chapter 5
In road drainage, the volume of water that runs off as a result of a storm of less than 15
minute duration is usually not large; much of this runoff is absorbed in filling of
watercourses. Times of concentration of less than 15 mins are thus generally not
significant.
It is sound practice to calculate the average flow velocity (v = L/Tc) after determining Tc
in order to ensure that it falls within realistic times. Typical value of the flow velocity
ranges from 0.1 to 4m/s, depending on the natural conditions.
5.6.5 Common Errors

Three common errors should be avoided when calculating Tc. First, application of
simplified general equations such as Kirpich for determining Tc can result in too short a
time of concentration, particularly when the average basin slope varies significantly from
the mean channel slope as in steep mountainous areas. Neglecting the overland flow time
can also dramatically shorten the time of concentration thus increasing the design peak
runoff.
5.6.6 The Status of the Ethiopian Hydrometric Register

The primary objective of the Ethiopian Hydrometric Register is to catalogue the national
hydrometric monitoring networks and provide a range of reference and statistical
information to enable the basic hydrometric data to be used more effectively by a rapidly
expanding community of data users in Ethiopia. However, the Register is not structured to
allow the selection of appropriate datasets for particular projects, and to assist in the
interpretation of analyses based on nationally archived hydrological data.
Hydrometric data provide the foundation for both water science and water
management.Skilful management and manipulation of rainfall, river flow and groundwater
level data underpin the development of improved engineering design procedures. However,
the development of multivariate relationships between flow statistics and catchment
characteristics has to be based on catchments with good quality data and stations with long
record length of data.
The Ethiopia Hydrometric Register comprises two major components cataloguing the
Ethiopian surface water and, less comprehensively, groundwater monitoring networks. The
Gauging Station Register provides details of around 1500 Ethiopian gauging stations, and
the Well Register provides information relating to more than a 1000 index wells and
boreholes.
5.6.7 Lack of detailed information of gauged data

Gauged flows are generally calculated by the conversion of the record of stage, or water
level, using a stage-discharge relation, often referred to as the rating or calibration.
However, no information was available how data is transmitted from the gauging station to
the processing centre.There was no information what type of gauging instrument is used to
record the data.
An example extracted from Scotland, UK, has been included here for demonstration
purposes to show what information is required to be included with the record data to make
an informed decision regarding the quality of the data and the station.
Example: 13002 Luther Water at Luther Bridge SEPA East.

Chapter 5
Station: Velocity-area station with cableway; 10m wide. Situation not ideal due to bend u/s and
island d/s, but stage-discharge relation is regularly reviewed using routine gaugings. Stable
bedrock control at low flows.
Catchment: Upper third of catchment is fairly steep (Grampian Mountains),the rest has moderate
slopes. Lower 80% is on ORS, the remainder is metamorphic. Almost the entire catchment is
covered by superficial deposits. Land use is forest (approx. half) and rough grazing at higher levels
with arable and cattle elsewhere.”
It is recommended that a similar data recording procedure is adopted in Ethiopia.
5.6.8 Sources of Information

Responsibility for the collection and initial processing of hydrometric data in Ethiopia rests
principally with the National Meteorological Service Agency of Ethiopia.
River flows in Ethiopia are often difficult to measure precisely – particularly in flood or
drought conditions – and can be substantially affected by the geological and land- use
characteristics of individual catchments, and by the net impact of water use patterns above
each gauging station. Such artificial influences range from a large diminution in flows
caused by a major abstraction for irrigation immediately upstream of the gauging station to
the, normally, more subtle impact of land use change on river flow patterns.Groundwater
levels may also be heavily influenced by man’s activities – abstraction rates in particular.
An appreciation of these effects is necessary to exploit the archived data most effectively.
For this exercise, important material relating to the impact of changing patterns of water
utilisation on river flow regimes and groundwater level behaviour was not available from
The Ministry of Water & Energy.
5.6.9 The Ethiopian Gauging Station Network

More than 1500 rainfall-gauging stations have been identified across Ethiopia. However
only around 32 gauging stations have been found to be suitable for inclusion in updating
the existing data in the 2002 manual (refer table 5.4).
Identifying, quantifying and attributing hydrological change is an essential pre-requisite for
the design of scientifically-based mitigation strategies to moderate the impact of future
floods, and to minimise the flood risk to the infrastructure.However, the current network of
gauging stations is mainly concentrated in the central part of Ethiopia (refer to figure 5-
11). Most of the gauging stations outside the central regionare not functional and the
record length for some of them is too small to be used for statistical analysis. Hence, these
data have not been utilised to update the manual.
In addition to the rainfall and flow data, borehole data to assess the ground water levels has
also been collected from the Ministry of Water & Energy. River flows and groundwater
levels in Ethiopia reflect more than just the intensity and distribution of rainfall and the
magnitude of evaporation losses.Geology and land use influence river runoff and aquifer
recharge patterns, and the natural variations of each are often substantially disturbed by the
complex and evolving pattern of water utilisation for hydropower and irrigation. However
the quality of the borehole data is poor and has not been utilised.

Chapter 5
5.6.10 Rainfall Analysis

The daily highest rainfall data obtained from the National Meteorological Agency of
Ethiopia has been statistically analysed using three methods of distribution analysis namely
Generalized Extreme Value, Log Pearson-3 and Gumbel’s Methods. Commercially
available statistical analysis software, EasyFit 5.5 Professional has been utilised.
The reliability of the distributions is checked by the goodness of fit tests. The goodness of
fit (GOF) tests measures the compatibility of a random sample with a theoretical
probability distribution function. In other words, these tests show how well the distribution
you selected fits to your data. The Anderson-Darling (AD), the Kolmogorov-Smirnov
(KS), and the Chi-Squared tests are used for the goodness of fit test. The selection of the
best fit method is based on the ranks given by the three fitness methods.
5.6.11 Rainfall Data Screening Process

Rainfall data obtained to update the data included in the previous manual has been
evaluated and screened to make sure that the available data is fit for purpose.On some of
the stations, some month’s data were missing while on other stations, the whole year data
is totally missing. There was no reason given by the Meteorological Service Agency why
the data was missing. Various methods have been employed (refer to Section 5.9) to infill
the missing data. However, given the uncertainty of the data and the low density of the
gauging stations, the recorded data with the data gap has been rejected.
Outlier Identification, Retention, Modification, Deletion
Check on outliers has been undertaken on the recoded rainfall and flow data to identify any
low or high outliers. Outliers are data points, which depart significantly from the trend of
the remaining data. The retention, modification, deletion of these outliers can significantly
affect the statistical parameters computed from the data, especially for small samples. All
procedures for treating outliers ultimately require judgement involving both mathematical
and hydrologic considerations. The procedure followed for detection and treatment of high
and low outliers for this project are summarised below:
• When the station skew is greater than +0.4, test for high outliers should be
considered first;
• When the station skew is less than -0.4 tests for low outliers should be considered
first;
• Where the station skew is between ±0.4, test for both high and low outlier should
be applied before eliminating any outliers from the data set. For detail procedure of
outlier adjustment, refer to Bulletin#17B (ref 10) and ref v.chow etal.
Low and high outliers have been detected in some of the station data obtained. There is a
total lack of information about the stations history and data validation. There is no clear
information regarding the reliability of the data and the status of the station.In light of this,
data with low and high outliers have been rejected instead of being adjusted. As the
number of gauging stations and number of years with both low and high outliers are too
small, the rejection of them will not make any difference on the outcome of the analysis.
5.6.12 Rainfall Curves

The results of the rainfall statistical analysis indicate that the country can be divided into
several hydrological regions, which display similar rainfall patterns, as indicated on the
map in Figure 5-13 at the end of this chapter. Using the statistical analyses described in the

Chapter 5
previous sections, rainfall intensity-duration curves have been developed for commonly
used design frequencies. Figures 5-16 through 5-23 at the end of this chapter show the
curves prepared from presently available data.
5.6.13 Notes on Rainfall Analysis

The rainfall data available is too sparse to develop highly accurate intensity-duration-
frequency curves. The 24-hour rainfall depth records were generally adequate to project
the frequency of 24-hour rainfall depths. Based on the monthly rainfall depths and patterns,
the country was divided into regions and sub-regions in 1989 by Dr Admassu Gebeyehu. It
is recommended that the engineer to undertake further research on the rainfall region
classification and revise the data.
Based on the statistical analysis undertaken as part of the current manual review work, the
country could be further divided into more than 8 rainfall pattern regions. This task is
outside the current scope of works and the current regional classification has been retained
but this should be revised when the manual is updated in the future. The methodology
adopted in the 2002 manual to generate the IDF curves has also been adapted to update the
IDF curves with the latest rainfall data.
The amount of data available for shorter duration storms was too sparse for the
development of intensity-duration-frequency curves, and was insufficient to do a frequency
distribution plot for each rainfall period. In order to develop intensity-duration-frequency
curves for each rainfall region, the ratios of the short duration data available were
compared to the 24-hour data. Based on this comparison and making similar comparisons
for published rainfall data from other country, principally the United States, it seemed that
reasonable estimations of rainfall depths occurring in shorter periods could be expressed as
a fraction of the 24-hour rainfall depth.
Many recommendations for depth-duration-frequency curves in the technical literature
suggest a "broken-leg" approach such that the depth duration frequency equation for
shorter duration rainfalls, less than one hour, is different from that derived for longer
duration rainfalls. Because of the scarcity of data this approach was not taken and one
curve was developed. The amount of rainfall data obtained for peak rainfall intensities of
periods shorter than one-half hour was too limited to be useful. The curves presented are
satisfactory for rainfall durations of one-half hour or more. Intensities for periods shorter
than 15 minutes appear to be overestimated by the curves presented.
It is recommended in this manual that for the design of most drainage structures, the
minimum time of concentration is taken as 15 minutes. The design of gutters and inlets
may be based on shorter rainfall durations, but this isn't serious conservatism. The overall
drainage system - drainage conduit - will usually be designed for storm duration of nearly
15 minutes or more, thus the most expensive part of the drainage system will not be
unnecessarily over-designed.

Chapter 5
Figure 5-11: Location Map of Rainfall Gauging Stations

Chapter 5
Table 5-4: Meteorology Stations (years of record through 2010)
Meteorological Years of Meteorological Years of

Station Station
Region Record Region Record
Axum 17 Bedele 39
A1 Mekele 46 Gore 56
Maychew 32 Nekempte 40
Gondar 52 Jima 54
Debre B
15 Arba Minch 23
Tabor
Bahir Dar 45 Sodo 49
Debre
A2 55 Awasa 36
Markos
Fitche 44 Kombolcha 57
Addis
57 C Woldiya 29
Ababa
Debre Zeit 55 Sirinka 27
Nazareth 46 Gode 33*
D1
Kulumsa 43 Kebri Dihar 40
A3
Kibre
Robe/Bale 29 33
Mengist
Metehara 24 D2 Negele 51
A4 Dire Dawa 58 Moyale 29
Mieso 42 Yabelo 34
* Max. 24 hour rainfall not given
5.7 Rational Method

The Rational Method is most accurate for estimating design storm peak runoff for areas up
to 50 hectares (0.5 square km). This method, while first introduced in 1889, is still widely
used. Even though it has come under frequent criticism for its simplistic approach, no other
drainage design method has achieved such widespread use.
5.7.1 Application
Some precautions shall be considered when applying the Rational Method:
• The first step in applying the Rational Method is to obtain a good topographic map
and define the boundaries of the catchment area in question. A field inspection of
the area should also be made to determine if the natural drainage divides have been
altered.
• In determining the runoff coefficient C value for the catchment area, thought shall
be given to future changes in land use that might occur during the service life of the
proposed facility that could result in an inadequate drainage system. Also, the
effects of upstream detention structures must be taken into account.

Chapter 5
• Restrictions to the natural flow such as highway crossings and dams that exist in
the catchment area shall be investigated to see how they affect the design flows.
• The charts, graphs, and tables included in this section are not intended to replace
reasonable and prudent engineering judgment that should permeate each step in the
design process.
5.7.2 Characteristics
Characteristics of the Rational Method that generally limit its use to 50 hectares include:
(1) The rate of runoff resulting from any rainfall intensity is a maximum when the
rainfall intensity lasts as long as or longer than the time of concentration. That is, the
entire catchment area does not contribute to the peak discharge until the time of
concentration has elapsed.
This assumption limits the size of the drainage basin that can be evaluated by the Rational
Method. For large catchment areas, the time of concentration can be so large that constant
rainfall intensities for such long periods do not occur and shorter more intense rainfalls can
produce larger peak flows. Further, in semi-arid and arid regions, storm cells are relatively
small with extreme intensity variations thus making the Rational Method inappropriate for
catchment areas greater than 50 hectares.
(2) The frequency of peak discharges is the same as that of the rainfall intensity for the
given time of concentration.
Frequencies of peak discharges depend on rainfall frequencies, antecedent moisture
conditions in the catchment area, and the response characteristics of the drainage system.
For small and largely impervious areas, rainfall frequency is the dominant factor. For
larger drainage basins, the response characteristics control. For catchment areas with few
impervious surfaces (little urban development), antecedent moisture conditions usually
govern, especially for rainfall events with a return period of 10 years or less.
(3) The fraction of rainfall that becomes runoff (C) is independent of rainfall intensity or
volume.
This assumption is only reasonable for impervious areas, such as streets, rooftops, and
parking lots. For pervious areas, the fraction of runoff does vary with rainfall intensity and
the accumulated volume of rainfall. Thus, the application of the Rational Method requires
the selection of a coefficient that is appropriate for the storm, soil, and land use conditions.
Many guidelines and tables have been established, but seldom, if ever, have they been
supported with empirical evidence.
(4) The peak rate of runoff is sufficient information for the design.
Modern drainage practice includes detention of urban storm runoff to reduce the peak rate
of runoff downstream. Using only the peak rate of runoff, the Rational Method severely
limits the evaluation of design alternatives available in urban and in some instances, rural
drainage design.

Chapter 5
5.7.3 The Rational Method Equation

The rational formula estimates the peak rate of runoff at any location in a catchment area
as a function of the catchment area; runoff coefficient; and mean rainfall intensity, for a
duration equal to the time of concentration.The rational formula is expressed as:
- = 0.00278 123 (5-6)
where:
Q =maximum rate of runoff, m3/s
C = runoff coefficient representing a ratio of runoff to rainfall (see Tables 5-5
through 5-9)
I=average rainfall intensity for a duration equal to the time of concentration, for a
selected return period, mm/hr
A=catchment area tributary to the design location, ha
5.7.4 Infrequent Storm

The coefficients given in Tables 5-5 through 5-9 are applicable for storms of 5-yr to 10-yr
frequencies. Less frequent, higher intensity storms will require modification of the
coefficient because infiltration and other losses have a proportionally smaller effect on
runoff (11). The adjustment of the Rational Method for use with major storms can be made
by multiplying the right side of the rational formula by a frequency factor Cf. The rational
formula now becomes:
- = 0.00278 114 23 (5-7)
Cf values are listed below table 5.8.The product of Cf times C shall not exceed 1.0.
Table 5-5: Recommended Runoff Coefficient C for Pervious Surfaces by
SelectedHydrologic Soil Groupings and Slope Ranges
Soil Type
Terrain Type
A B C D
Flat, <2% 0.04-0.09 0.07-0.12 0.11-0.16 0.15-0.20
Rolling, 2-6% 0.09-0.14 0.12-0.17 0.16-0.21 0.20-0.25
Mountain, 6-15% 0.13-0.18 0.18-0.24 0.23-0.31 0.28-0.38
Escarpment, >15% 0.18-0.22 0.24-0.30 0.30-0.40 0.38-0.48

Chapter 5
Table 5-6: Recommended Runoff Coefficient C for Various Land Uses
Description of Area Runoff Coefficients

Business: Downtown areas 0.70-0.95
Neighborhood areas 0.50-0.70
Residential: Single-family areas 0.30-0.50
Residential:Multi units, detached 0.40-0.60
Residential: Multi units, attached 0.60-0.75
Suburban 0.25-0.40
Residential (0.5 hectare lots or more) 0.30-0.45
Apartment dwelling areas 0.50-0.70
Industrial: Light areas 0.50-0.80
Industrial: Heavy areas 0.60-0.90
Parks, cemeteries 0.10-0.25
Playgrounds 0.20-0.40
Railroad yard areas 0.20-0.40
Unimproved areas 0.10-0.30
(Source: Hydrology, Federal Highway Administration, HEC No. 19, 1984)
Table 5-7: Coefficients for Composite Runoff Analysis

Surface Runoff Coefficients
Street : Asphalt 0.70-0.95
Concrete 0.80-0.95
Drives and walks 0.75-0.85
Roofs 0.75-0.95
(Source: Hydrology, Federal Highway Administration, HEC No. 19, 1984)
Table 5-8: Frequency Factors for Rational Formula Cf
Recurrence interval Cf
(years)
5 1.00
10 1.00
25 1.10
50 1.20
100 1.25

Chapter 5
Table 5-9: Recommended Runoff Coefficient C for rural catchment

Runoff
Factor Description
Coefficient
< 3.5% Flat 0.05
3.5% - 10% Soft to moderate 0.1
Cs Average slope of catchment 10% - 25% Rolling 0.15
25% - 45% Hilly 0.2
> 45% Mountainous 0.25
Well drained soil e.g. sand and
0.05
gravel
Fair drained soil e.g. sand and
0.1
gravel with fines
Cp Permeability of soil Poorly drained soil e.g. silt 0.15
Impervious soil e.g. clay, organic
0.25
silts and clay
Water-logged black cotton soil 0.5
Rock 0.4
Dense forest/thick bush 0.05
Sparse forest/dense grass 0.1
Grassland/scrub 0.15
Cv Vegetation
Cultivation 0.2
Space grassland 0.25
Barren 0.3
C = Cs + Cp + Cv
The results of using the Rational Formula to estimate peak discharges is very sensitive to
the parameters that are used. The designer must use good engineering judgment in
estimating values that are used in the method.
5.7.5 Rainfall Intensity

The rainfall intensity (I) is the average rainfall rate in mm/hr for duration equal to the time
of concentration for a selected return period. Once a particular return period has been
selected for design and a time of concentration calculated for the catchment area, the
rainfall intensity can be determined from Rainfall-Intensity-Duration curves. Rainfall-
Intensity-Duration curves for use in Ethiopia are given in Figures 5-14 through 5-21 at the
end of this chapter.

Chapter 5
For drainage areas in Ethiopia, you may compute the rainfall intensity at any required time
using the 24hr rainfall depth, which is known as a rainfall intensity-duration-frequency
(IDF) relationship.
7 (9:8);
567 = (5-8)
8 (9:7);
Where:
RRt = Rainfall depth Ratio Rt: R24
Rt = Rainfall depth in a given duration’t’
R24= 24 hr rainfall depth
b and n = coefficients b=0.3 and n=(0.78-1.09).
The general shape of a rainfall intensity-duration-frequency curve is shown in Figure 5-11.
As rain-fall duration tends towards zero, the rainfall intensity tends towards infinity.
Because the rainfall intensity/duration relationship is accessed by assuming that the
duration is equal to the time of concentration, small areas with exceedingly short times of
concentration could result in design rainfall intensities that are unrealistically high. To
minimize this likelihood, use a minimum time of concentration of 10 minutes when using
the coefficients presented in the Hydrology document. As the duration tends to infinity, the
design rainfall tends towards zero. Usually, the area limitation of 50 hectares should result
in design rainfall intensities that are not unrealistically low. However, if the estimated time
of concentration is extremely long, such as may occur in extremely flat areas, it may be
necessary to consider an upper threshold of time or use a different hydrologic method.
In some instances alternate methods of determining rainfall intensity may be desired,
especially for coordination with other agencies. Ensure that any alternate methods are
applicable.
5.7.6 Runoff Coefficient

The runoff coefficient (C) is the variable of the Rational Method least susceptible to
precise determination and requires judgment and understanding on the part of the designer.
A typical coefficient represents the integrated effects of many drainage basin
parameters.The following discussion considers the effects of soil groups, land use, and
average land slope.

Chapter 5
Figure 5-12:Typical
:Typical Rainfall Intensity Duration Frequency Curve
Three methods for determining the runoff coefficient are presented based on soil groups
and land slope (Table 5-5),
5), land use (Table 55-6),
6), and a composite coefficient for complex
catchment areas (Table 5-7).
Table 5-99 gives the recommended runoff coefficient (C) for pervious surfaces by selected
hydrologic soil groupings and slope ranges. From this table the C values for nonnon-urban
areas such as forest land, agricultural land, and open space can be determined.
5.7.7 Hydrological
logical Soil Groups for Ethiopia
Soil properties influence the relationship between runoff and rainfall since soils have
differing rates of infiltration. Permeability and infiltration are the principal data required to
classify soils into Hydrologic Soils Groups (HSG). Based on infiltration rates, the Soil
Conservation Service (SCS) has divided soils into four hydrologic soil groups as follows:
Group A:: Sand, loamy sand or sandy loam. Soils having a low runoff potential due to high
infiltration rates. These soils primarily consist of deep, well-drained
well drained sands and gravels.
Group B:: Silt loam, or loam. Soils having a moderately low runoff potential due to
moderate infiltration rates. These soils primarily consist of moderately deep to deep,
moderately well to well
ell drained soils with moderately fine to moderately coarse textures.
Group C:: Sandy clay loam.Soils having a moderately high runoff potential due to slow
infiltration rates. These soils primarily consist of soils in which a layer exists near the
surface that
hat impedes the downward movement of water or soils with moderately fine to
fine texture.
Group D:: Clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay, silty clay or clay. Soils having a high
runoff potential due to very slow infiltration rates. These soils primarily consist
consist of clays
with high swelling potential, soils with permanently-high
permanently high water tables, soils with a claypan
or clay layer at or near the surface, and shallow soils over nearly impervious parent
material.
Chapter 5
Data from direct field measurements on soil permeability and infiltration rates for
Ethiopian soils are very limited. Data is generally available only for soil types located near
major irrigation projects and agricultural research stations. The hydrological soils groups
presented in Table 5-10 are based on limited field measurements and from profile
morphology and physical characteristics, and are subject to further review and refinement.
Table 5-10: Typical Hydrologic Soils Groups for Ethiopia
Soil Types Hydrologic Soil Group
Ao Orthic Acrisols B
Bc Chromic Cambisols B
Bd Dystric Cambisols B
Be Eutric Cambisols B
Bh Humic Cambisols C
Bk Calcic Cambisols B
Bv Vertic Cambisols B
Ck Calcic Chernozems B
E Rendzinas D
Hh Haplic Phaeozems C
Hl Luvic Phaeozems C
I Lithosols D
Jc Calcaric Fluvisols B
Je Eutric Fluvisols B
Lc Chromic Luvisols B
Lo Orthic Luvisols B
Lv Vertic Luvisols C
Nd Dystric Nitosols B
Ne Eutric Nitosols B
Od Dystric Histosols D
Oe Eutric Histosols D
Qc Cambric Arenosols A
Rc Calcaric Regosols A
Re Eutric Regosols A
Th Humic Andosols B
Tm Mollic Andosols B
Tv Vitric Andosols B
Vc Chromic Vertisols D
Vp Pellic Vertisols D
Xh Haplic Xerosols B
Xk Caloic Xerosols B
Xl Luvic Xerosols C
Yy Gypsic Yermosols B
Zg Gleyic Solonchaks D
Zo Orthic Solonchaks B
(Source: Ministry of Agriculture)

Chapter 5
As the slope of the drainage basin increases, the selected runoff coefficient C should also
increase. This is caused by the fact that as the slope of the catchment area increases, the
velocity of overland and channel flow will increase allowing less opportunity for water to
infiltrate the ground surface. Thus, more of the rainfall will become runoff from the
catchment area.
It is often desirable to develop a composite runoff coefficient based on the percentage of
different types of surface in the catchment area. Composites can be made with Tables 5-5
and 5-6. At a more detailed level composites can be made with Table 5-7 and the
coefficients with respect to surface type given in Table 5-9. The composite procedure can
be applied to an entire catchment area or to typical "sample” blocks as a guide to selection
of reasonable values of the coefficient for an entire area.
5.7.8 Steps to Peak Plood Estimation using the Rational Method

The following procedure outlines the rational method for estimating peak discharge:
• Determine the watershed area in hectares (km2);
• Determine the time of concentration, with consideration for future characteristics of
the watershed;
• Assure consistency with the assumptions and limitations for application of the
Rational Method;
• Determine the rainfall IDF coefficients. Extract the Rainfall Intensity-Duration
Frequency Coefficients b, and n values from the list in Hydrology according to the
locality in Ethiopia and the design frequency;
• Use Equation 5- 8 to calculate the rainfall intensity in mm/hr or use developed IDF
curves figure 5-16 to 5-21;
• Select or develop appropriate runoff coefficients for the watershed. Where the
watershed comprises more than one characteristic, you must estimate C values for
each area segment individually. You may then estimate a weighted C value; and
• Calculate the peak discharge for the watershed for the desired frequency using
Equation 5-7.
Refer to worked example 5.1
5.8 SCS Unit Hydrograph

Techniques developed by the U. S. Soil Conservation Service (12) for calculating rates of
runoff require the same basic data as the Rational Method: catchment area, a runoff factor,
time of concentration, and rainfall. The SCS approach, however, is more sophisticated in
that it considers also the time distribution of the rainfall, the initial rainfall losses to
interception and depression storage, and an infiltration rate that decreases during the course
of a storm.
With the SCS method, the direct runoff can be calculated for any storm, either real or
fabricated, by subtracting infiltration and other losses from the rainfall to obtain the
precipitation excess (14).
However, the SCS method is most suited for computing flood peaks and run of volumes
for catchments smaller than 65km2, with slopes of less than 30% and a time of
concentration (Tc) less than 10 hours.

Chapter 5
5.8.1 Catchment Area

A catchment area is determined from topographic maps; DEM data’s and field surveys. For
large catchment areas it might be necessary to divide the area into sub-catchment areas to
account for major land use changes, obtain analysis results at different points within the
catchment area, or locate storm water drainage structures and assess their effects on the
flood flows. A field inspection of existing or proposed drainage systems shall be made to
determine if the natural drainage divides have been altered. These alterations could make
significant changes in the size and slope of the sub catchment areas.
5.8.2 Rainfall
The SCS method is based on a 24-hour storm event which has a Type II time
distribution.The Type II storm distribution is a 'typical" time distribution which the SCS
has prepared from rainfall records. It is applicable for interior rather than the coastal
regions and appropriate for Ethiopia. The Type II rainfall distribution will usually give a
higher runoff than a Type I distribution. Figure 5-13 shows this distribution. To use this
distribution it is necessary for the user to obtain 1) the 24-hour rainfall value (from Table
5-19) for the frequency of the design storm desired, and then 2) multiply this value by 24
to obtain the total 24-hour storm volume in millimeters.
5.8.3 Rainfall-Runoff Equation

A relationship between accumulated rainfall and accumulated runoff was derived by SCS
from experimental plots for numerous hydrologic and vegetative cover conditions. Data for
land-treatment measures, such as contouring and terracing, from experimental catchment
areas were included. The equation was developed mainly for small catchment areas for
which daily rainfall and catchment area data are ordinarily available. It was developed
from recorded storm data that included total amount of rainfall in a calendar day but not its
distribution with respect to time. The SCS runoff equation is therefore a method of
estimating direct runoff from 24-hour or 1-day storm rainfall. The equation is:
(<=> )
- = (<=> !): (5-9)
!
Where:
Q = accumulated direct runoff, mm
P = accumulated rainfall (potential maximum runoff), mm
Ia = initial abstraction including surface storage, interception, and infiltration prior
to runoff, mm
S = potential maximum retention, mm.

Chapter 5
Figure 5-13:Type II Design Storm Curve

The relationship between Ia and S was developed from experimental catchment area data.It
removes the necessity for estimating Ia for common usage. The empirical relationship used
in the SCS runoff equation is:
2& = 0.2% (5-10)
Substituting 0.2S for Ia in equation 5.9, the SCS rainfall-runoff
rainfall runoff equation becomes:
(<=.8)
-= (<:.)
(5-11)
S is related to the soil and cover conditions of the catchment area through the CN.CN has a
range of 0 to 100, and S is related to CN by:
8$
%= (5-12)
?@=8$
Chapter 5
Runoff Factors
Runoff is rainfall excess or effective rainfall - the amount by which rainfall exceeds the
capability of the land to infiltrate or otherwise retain the rainwater. The principal physical
catchment area characteristics affecting the relationship between rainfall and runoff are
land use, land treatment, soil types, and land slope.
Land use is the catchment area cover, and it includes both agricultural and nonagricultural
uses. Items such as type of vegetation, water surfaces, roads, roofs, etc. are all part of the
land use. Land treatment applies mainly to agricultural land use, and it includes
mechanical practices such as contouring or terracing and management practices such as
rotation of crops. The SCS uses a combination of soil conditions and land-use (ground
cover) to assign a runoff factor to an area. These runoff factors, called runoff curve
numbers (CN), indicate the runoff potential of an area. The higher the CN, the higher is the
runoff potential.
5.8.4 Hydrologic Soil Groups

Soil properties influence the relationship between rainfall and runoff by affecting the rate
of infiltration. The SCS has divided soils into four hydrologic soil groups based on
infiltration rates (Groups A, B, C, and D). These groups were previously described for the
Rational Formula (see Section 5.6, Table 5-9).
Consideration shall be given to the effects of urbanization on the natural hydrologic soil
group. If heavy equipment can be expected to compact the soil during construction or if
grading will mix the surface and subsurface soils, appropriate changes shall be made in the
soil group selected. Also runoff curve numbers vary with the antecedent soil moisture
conditions, defined as the amount of rainfall occurring in a selected period preceding a
given storm. In general, the greater the antecedent rainfall, the more direct runoff there is
from a given storm. A five-day period is used as the minimum for estimating antecedent
moisture conditions. Antecedent soil moisture conditions also vary during a storm; heavy
rain falling on a dry soil can change the soil moisture condition from dry to average to wet
during the storm period.
5.8.5 Runoff Curve Numbers

The following pages give a series of tables related to runoff factors. The first tables (Tables
5-11 through 5-14) give curve numbers for various land uses. These tables are based on an
average antecedent moisture condition, i.e., soils that are neither very wet nor very dry
when the design storm begins. Curve numbers shall be selected only after a field inspection
of the catchment area and a review of cover type and soil maps. Table 5-15 gives
conversion factors to convert average curve numbers to wet and dry curve numbers. Table
5-16 gives the antecedent conditions for the three classifications.
Care shall be taken in the selection of curve numbers (CN's). Use a representative average
curve number, CN, for the catchment area.
Selection of overly conservative CN’s will result in the estimation of excessively high
runoff and consequently excessively costly drainage structures. Selection of conservatively
high values for all runoff variables results in compounding the runoff estimation.
It is better to use average values and design for a longer storm frequency. Often the runoff
computed using conservative CN's for a ten year storm will greatly exceed the computed
runoff for average CN's for a 25 or even 50 year storm. The hydrologic designer could
consider doing both in making the most appropriate selection of design discharge.

Chapter 5
For antecedent moisture conditions (AMC) in Ethiopia, use dry for Region D1, wet for
Region B1, and average AMC for all other regions. The portion of Region A2 in the
vicinity of Bahir Dar should also be treated as wet. When wet AMC is used, it is unlikely
that the vegetation density will also be poor to sparse.
Table 5-11: Runoff Curve Numbers- Urban Areas1
Cover description Curve numbers for hydrologic soil groups
Average %
Cover type and Hydrologic condition A B C D
impervious area2
Open space (lawns, parks, cemeteries, etc.)3

Poor condition (grass cover <50%) 68 79 86 89
Fair condition (grass cover 50 % to 75%) 49 69 79 84
Good condition (grass cover >75%) 39 61 74 80
Impervious areas:
Paved parking lots, roofs, driveways, etc.
(excluding right-of-way) 98 98 98 98
Streets and roads:
Paved; curbs and storm drains (excluding right-of-
way) 98 98 98 98
Paved; open ditches (including right-of-way) 83 89 92 93
Gravel (including right-of-way) 76 85 89 91
Dirt (including right-of-way) 72 82 87 89
Desert urban areas:
Natural desert cover 63 77 85 88
Urban districts:
Commercial and business 85 89 92 94 95
Industrial 72 81 88 91 93
Residential districts by average lot size:
0.05 hectare or less 65 77 85 90 92
0.1 hectare 38 61 75 83 87
0.135 hectare 30 57 72 81 86
0.2 hectare 25 54 70 80 85
0.4 hectare 20 51 68 79 84
0.8 hectare 12 46 65 77 82
Developing urban areas
Newly graded areas (pervious areas only, no vegetation) 77 86 91 94
1
Average runoff condition, and Ia=0.2S
2
The average percent impervious area shown was used to develop the composite CNs.Other assumptions are
as follows: impervious areas are directly connected to the drainage system, impervious areas have a CN of
98, and pervious areas are considered equivalent to open space in good hydrologic condition.If the
impervious area is not connected, the SCS method has an adjustment to reduce the effect.
3
CNs shown are equivalent to those of pasture.Composite CNs may be computed for other combinations of
open space cover type.

Chapter 5
Table 5-12: Cultivated Agricultural Land1
Curve numbers for

Cover description
Hydrologic soil group
Cover Hydrologic
Treatment2 A B C D
Type condtion3
Bare soil - 77 86 91 94
Fallow Crop residue Poor 76 85 90 93
cover (CR) Good 74 83 88 90
Poor 72 81 88 91
Straight row (SR)
Good 67 78 85 89
Poor 71 80 87 90
SR + CR
Good 64 75 82 85
Poor 70 79 84 88
Contoured (C)
Good 65 75 82 86
Poor 69 78 83 87
C + CR
Good 64 74 81 85
Contoured & Poor 66 74 80 82
terraced (C & T) Good 62 71 78 81
Poor 65 73 79 81
C&T + CR
Good 61 70 77 80
Poor 65 76 84 88
Small grain SR Good 63 75 83 87
Row Poor 64 75 83 86
Crops SR + CR Good 60 72 80 84
Poor 63 74 82 85
C
Good 61 73 81 84
Poor 62 73 81 84
C + CR
Good 60 72 80 83
Poor 61 72 79 82
C&T
Good 59 70 78 81
Poor 60 71 78 81
C&T + CR
Good 58 69 77 80
Close-seeded SR Poor 66 77 85 89
or broadcast Good 58 72 81 85
Legumes or C Poor 64 75 83 85
Rotation Good 55 69 78 83
Poor 63 73 80 83
Meadow C&T
Good 51 67 76 80
1
Average runoff condition, and Ia = 0.2S.
2
Crop residue cover applies only if residue is on at least 5% of the surface throughout the year.
3
Hydrologic condition is based on a combination of factors that affect infiltration and runoff, including (a)
density and canopy of vegetative areas, (b) amount of year-round cover, (c) amount of grass or closed-seeded
legumes in rotations, (d) percent of residue cover on the land surface (good > 20%), and (e) degree of
roughness.
Poor : Factors impair infiltration and tend to increase runoff.
Good : Factors encourage average and better than average infiltration and tend to decrease
runoff.

Chapter 5
Table 5-13: Other Agricultural Lands1
Cover description Curve numbers for hydrologic soil group

Hydrologic
Cover type A B C D
condition
Poor 68 79 86 89
Pasture, grassland, orrange-
Fair 49 69 79 84
continuous forage for grazing2
Good 39 61 74 80
Meadow-continuous grass,
-- 35 59 72 79
protected from grazing
Poor 48 67 77 83
Brush-weed-grass mixture with
Fair 35 56 70 77
brush the major element3
Good 304 48 65 73
Poor 57 73 82 86
Woods-grass combination5 Fair 43 65 76 82
Good 32 58 72 79
Poor 45 66 77 83
Woods6 Fair 36 60 73 79
Good 304 55 70 77
Farms—buildings, lanes,
-- 59 74 82 86
driveways, and surrounding lots
1
Average runoff condition, and Ia = 0.2S
2
Poor: < 50% ground cover or heavily grazed with no mulch
Fair: 50 to 75% ground cover and not heavily grazed
Good:> 75% ground cover and lightly or only occasionally grazed
3
Poor: < 50% ground cover
Fair: 50 to 75% ground cover
Good: > 75% ground cover
4
Actual curve number is less than 30; use CN = 30 for runoff computations.
5
CNs shown were computed for areas with 50% grass (pasture) cover.Other combinations of conditions may
be computed from CNs for woods and pasture.
6
Poor : Forest litter, small trees, and brush are destroyed by heavy grazing or regular burning.
Fair : Woods grazed but not burned, and some forest litter covers the soil.
Good : Woods protected from grazing, litter and brush adequately cover soil.

Chapter 5
Table 5-14: Arid and Semi-arid Rangelands

Hydrologic
Cover type A3 B C D
condition2
Poor 80 87 93
Mixture of grass, weeds, and low-growing
Fair 71 81 89
brush, with brush the minor element
Good 62 74 85
Poor 66 74 79
Mountain brush mixture of small trees and
Fair 48 57 63
brush
Good 30 41 48
Poor 75 85 89
Small trees with grass understory Fair 58 73 80
Good 41 61 71
Poor 63 67 80 85
Brush with grass understory Fair 55 51 63 70
Good 49 35 47 55
Poor 77 85 88
Desert shrub brush Fair 72 81 86
Good 68 79 84
1
Average runoff condition, and Ia=0.2S
2
Poor : < 30 % ground cover (litter, grass, and brush overstory)
Fair : 30 to 70 % ground cover Good: > 70 % ground cover
3
Curve numbers for Group A have been developed only for desert shrub.
Table 5-15:Conversion from Average Antecedent Moisture Conditions to Dry and

Wet Conditions
Corresponding CN’s For

CN For Average
Conditions
Dry Wet
100 100 100
95 87 98
90 78 96
85 70 94
80 63 91
75 57 88
70 51 85
65 45 82
60 40 78
55 35 74
50 31 70
45 26 65
40 22 60
35 18 55
30 15 50
25 12 43
15 6 30
5 2 13
Ethiopian Rainfall Region D1 (< 100 mm) Source: Ref. 15E

Ethiopian Rainfall Region A2 & B1 (mean monthly Peak > 300 mm)

Chapter 5
Table 5-16: Rainfall Groups for Antecedent Soil Moisture Conditions during
Growing and Dormant Seasons
Growing Season Dormant Season

Antecedent Conditions Five-Day Five-Day
Condition Description Antecedent Antecedent
Rainfall Rainfall
An optimum Condition of catchment
area soils, where soils are dry but not
Dry to the wilting point, and when Less than 36 mm Less than 13 mm
satisfactory plowing or cultivation
takes place
Average The average case for annual floods 36 to 53 mm 13to 28 mm
When a heavy rainfall, or light rainfall
and low temperatures, have occurred
Wet Over 53 mm Over 28 mm
during the five days previous to a
given storm
(Source: Soil Conservation Service)
Time of Concentration (Tc)

The time of concentration is calculated as specified in section 5.5.
Ia/p Parameter
Ia/p is a parameter that is necessary to estimate peak discharge rates. Ia denotes the initial
abstraction and p is the 24 hour rainfall depth for a selected return period. The 24 rainfall
depth is taken from the frequency analysis result or from the ERA DDM rainfall region
rainfall depth recommendations. For a given 24 hour rainfall distribution Ia/P represents the
fraction of rainfall that must occur before runoff begins.
Peak Discharge Estimation
The following equation were used for the estimation of the peak discharge in SCS method
AB = AC 3- (5-13)
Where
qp = peak discharge, m3/s
qu = unit peak discharge, m3/s/km2/mm
A = drainage area, Km2
Q = depth of runoff, mm
The unit peak discharge is obtained from the following equation, which requires the time
of concentration (tc) in hours and the initial abstraction rainfall (Ia/p) ration as input:
AC =∝ 10?E :?, FGH7I :?(FGH7I )

(5-14)
Where C0, C1 and C2 = regression coefficients given in table 5-17 for various Ia/p ratios:
= unit conversion factor equal to 0.000431 in SI unit.

Chapter 5
Table 5-17: Coefficients for SCS Peak Discharge Method
Rainfall
Ia/P C0 C1 C2
Type
0.1 2.3055 -0.5143 -0.1175
0.2 2.23537 -0.5039 -0.0893
0.25 2.18219 -0.4849 -0.0659
0.3 2.10624 -0.4570 -0.0284
I
0.35 2.00303 -0.4077 0.01983
0.4 1.87733 -0.3227 0.05754
0.45 1.76312 -0.1564 0.00453
0.5 1.67889 -0.0693 0.00000
0.1 2.03250 -0.3158 -0.1375

0.2 1.91978 -0.2822 -0.0702
IA 0.25 1.83842 -0.2554 -0.0260
0.3 1.72657 -0.1983 0.02633
0.5 1.63417 -0.0910 0.0000
0.1 2.55323 -0.6151 -0.1640

0.3 2.46532 -0.6226 -0.1166
0.35 2.41896 -0.6159 -0.0882
II
0.4 2.36409 -0.5986 -0.0562
0.45 2.29238 -0.5701 -0.0228
0.5 2.20282 -0.5160 -0.0126
0.1 2.47317 -0.5185 -0.1708

0.3 2.39628 -0.512 -0.1325
0.35 2.35477 -0.4974 -0.1199
III
0.4 2.30726 -0.4654 -0.1109
0.45 2.24876 -0.4131 -0.1151
0.5 2.17772 -0.3680 -0.0953
5.8.6 Steps to Peak Flood Estimation using SCS Method

The following procedure outlines the SCS method for estimating peak discharge.
• Determine the watershed area in hectares (km2);
• Determine the time of concentration, with consideration for future characteristics of
the watershed;
• Determine the soil type, soil group, and land use and curve number of the
watershed area; determine the hydrologic region, check the AMC and convert the
Cn value if required to wet or dry condition;
• Determine the 24hr rainfall depth and calculate the Ia/p ratio;
• Use Equation 5-14 to calculate the unit peak flood;

Chapter 5
• Calculate the peak discharge for the watershed for the desired frequency using
Equation 5-13.
Refer to worked example 5.2 in Appendix A
5.9 Flood Hydrograph Routing Methods

This section presents two ways of routing flood hydrographs: storage (or reservoir) routing
and channel routing:
• Use storage routing to account for inflow and outflow rates and significant water
storage characteristics associated with reservoirs and detention;
• Use channel routing when known hydrographic data are located somewhere other
than the point of interest or the channel profile or plan is changed to alter the
natural velocity or channel storage characteristics.
5.9.1 Storage Routing

As a flood hydrograph approaches and passes through a reservoir or detention facility, the
characteristics of unsteady flow become significant. It is necessary to make an accounting
of inflow and outflow rates and water storage characteristics by routing a flood hydrograph
through the storage facility.
Reservoir or detention pond storage routing also applies when outflow depends only upon
the volume of flood storage. Use storage routing techniques to do the following:
• Determine peak discharges from watersheds containing reservoir flood water
detention basins and other flow retardation structures;
• Specify overtopping flood magnitudes; and
• Evaluate traffic interruption due to roadway overtopping and the associated
economic losses.
5.9.2 Hydrograph Storage Routing Method Components

Several analytical and graphical methods route flood hydrographs through reservoirs or
other detention facilities. All of the methods require reliable descriptions of the following
three items:
• An inflow runoff hydrograph for the subject flood;
• The storage capacity versus water elevation within the facility; and
• The performance characteristics of outlet facilities associated with the operation of
the facility.
By definition, when inflow and outflow from a reservoir (or any type of storage facility)
are equal, a steady-state condition exists. If the inflow exceeds the outflow, the additional
discharge is stored in the system. Conversely, when the out flow exceeds the inflow, water
is taken from storage.

Chapter 5
5.9.3 Channel Routing

Routing of flood hydrographs by means of channel routing procedures is useful in
instances where known hydrographic data are at a point other than the point of interest.
This is also true in those instances where the channel profile or plan is changed in such a
way as to alter the natural velocity or channel storage characteristics. Routing analysis
estimates the effect of a channel reach on an inflow hydrograph.
5.10 Statistical Analysis of Stream Gauge Data
5.10.1 Stream Gauge Data

Some sites exist where a series of stream flow observations have been made and stream
gauge data obtained. It is necessary to use this data, with certain qualifications, to develop
a peak discharge versus frequency relation for peak runoff from the watershed.
Peak Stream Flow Frequency Relation. Stream gauging stations recording annual peak
discharges have been established at 127 stream flow-gauging stations within the 12 River
Basins of Ethiopia. If the gauging record covers a sufficient period, it is possible to
develop a peak stream-flow frequency relation by statistical analysis of the series of
recorded annual maximum flows. It is possible to use such relationships productively in
several different ways:
• If the road drainage site is near the gauging station on the same stream and
watershed, the discharge can be used directly for a specific frequency (T-year
discharge) from the peak stream flow frequency relationship;
• If the drainage structure site is within the same basin but not proximate to the
gauging station, transposition of gauge analysis results is possible;
• If the structure site is not within a gauged basin, it is possible to develop the peak-
flow flood-frequency from data from a group of several gauging stations based on
either a hydrologic region (e.g., regional regression equations), or similar
hydrologic characteristics.
Curve Development Stipulations. It is possible to develop a peak stream flow versus
frequency curve for a site by statistical means provided the following stipulations are met:
• Sufficient peak discharge sample - A sufficient statistical sample of annual peak
discharges must be available. This usually means a minimum of eight years of data.
Some statisticians prefer a sample of 20 or more years. However, 20 years usually
is not realistic for available observation periods, and fewer observations are often
used as a basis for an analysis.
• No significant change in channel/basin - No significant changes in the channel or
basin should have taken place during the period of recording. If significant changes
did occur, the resulting peak-stream flow frequency relation could be flawed. The
urbanization character of the watershed must not be likely to change enough to
affect significantly the characteristics of peak flows within the total time of
observed annual peaks and anticipated service life of the highway drainage
structure. No means of accommodating future changed characteristics of a
watershed within the statistical methods are used in highway hydrology.

Chapter 5
• No physical flow regulations existing - A series of observed data from a

watershed within which there have been, are, or will be physical flow regulations is
not a sound basis for a hydrologic analysis.
• Data representative of watershed - The measured data must be representative of
the subject watershed, either directly or by inference.
Stream Gauge Record Sources- Generally, the drainage designer will need to acquire a
record of the annual peak flows for the appropriate gauging station. Some of the gauging
stations in Ethiopia have only staff gauges without authomatic data recording device, and
thus data is only recorded one or twice a day. This may lead to missing of the flood peaks.
The Ministry of Water & Energy (MoW&E)provides a source of stream gauge records.
Applicability and Limitations. For highway drainage purposes, a statistical analysis of
stream gauge data is typically applied only in those instances where there is adequate data
from stream gauging stations.
Table 5-18: Recommended Minimum Stream Gauge Record Lengths
Design Frequency Minimum Record Length

(Years) (Years)
10 8
25 10
50 20
100 25
If adequate data are not available, the design peak discharge should be based on analyses
of data from several stream flow-gauging stations. In some cases, a site requiring a design
peak discharge is on the same stream and near an active or discontinued stream flow-
gauging station with an adequate length of record (see the “Recommended Minimum
Stream Gauge Record Lengths” Table 5-18).
Having determined that a suitable stream gauge record exists, it is necessary to determine
if any structures or urbanization may be affecting the peak discharges at the design site.
Consider the following guidelines:
• Period of record similar to design site - The period of record for the gauging
station’s annual peak discharges should represent the same or similar basin
conditions as that of the design site. Therefore, exclude from the analysis any
gauged peak discharges not representing the basin conditions for the design site.
• Factors affecting peak discharge - The most typical factors affecting peak
discharges are regulation by urbanization and reservoirs. Densities of impervious
cover less than 10 percent of the watershed area generally do not affect peak
discharges. The existence in the watershed of a major reservoir or many smaller
reservoirs or flood control structures can greatly affect the runoff characteristics.
• Length of record - The length of record should be adjusted to include only those
records that have been collected subsequent to the impoundment of water by
reservoirs and subsequent to any major urbanization. If the resulting records then
become too short, do not use the procedures in this section.

Chapter 5
5.10.2 Infilling Gaps in Annual Maximum Flood Series

Missing observations in stream flow records at gauging locations are very common and
one of the elementary steps in any hydrological data analysis is to make decisions about
dealing with these missing data points. Missing records in the annual maximum flood
series were in-filled where the extra data points can be estimated with sufficient accuracy
to contribute additional information rather than ‘noise’.One of the following methods can
be applied, as documented in Rahman (1997) and Haddad, Rahman and Weinmann
(2008b).
Method 1:
Comparison of the monthly instantaneous maximum (IM) data with monthly maximum
mean (MMD) data at the same station for years with data gaps should be identified. If a
missing month of instantaneous maximum flow corresponds to a month of very low
maximum mean daily flow, then that should be taken to indicate that the annual maximum
does not occur during that missing month.
Method 2:
Method 2 involves a linear regression of the annual maximum mean flow series against the
annual instantaneous maximum series of the same station. Regression equations developed
should be used for filling gaps in the IM record, but not to extend for the overall period of
record of instantaneous flow data.For in-filling the gaps, Method 1 is preferrable over
Method 2, as it is more directly based on observed data for the missing month and involves
fewer assumptions.
5.11 Regional Regression Methods

Regional regression equations are the most commonly accepted method for establishing
peak flows at larger ungauged sites (or sites with insufficient data for a statistical
derivation of the flood versus frequency relation). Regression equations have been
developed to relate peak flow at a specified return period to the physiography, hydrology,
and meteorology of the watershed in 1989 by Dr Admassu Gebeyehu and have been
retained in the revised manual. However, these regression equations should be revised
based on further studies.
5.11.1 Regression Methods and Equations

Regression analyses use stream gauge data to define hydrologic regions. These are
geographic regions having very similar flood frequency relationships and, as such,
commonly display similar watershed, channel, and meteorological characteristics; they are
often termed hydrologically homogeneous geographic areas.
It is difficult to choose the proper set of regression equations when the design site lies on
or near the hydrologic boundaries of relevant studies.
Another problem occurs when the watershed is partly or totally within an area subject to
mixed population floods.
Care should be exercised using regression equations in these instances:
• Conduct a field visit to assess the watershed characteristics for comparison with
other watersheds;
• Collect all available historical flood data; and
• Use the gathered data to interpret any discharge values.

Chapter 5
Figure 5-14:Rainfall Regions

Note: Rainfall data used in the preparation of this figure have been collected from
meteorological service agency meteorology stations (see Table 5-4).In the course of the
preparation of this manual, they have been subjected to statistical techniques.The results
indicate that the country can be divided into the above hydrological regions displaying
similar rainfall patterns.The information is reviewed with the current available data up to
2010, and future data may indicate the need for a further refinement in both values and
regional boundaries.

Chapter 5
Figure 5-15:: Mean Annual Rainfall for Ethiopia

Chapter 5
Figure 5-16: IDF Curve of Rainfall Region A1

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Chapter 5
Figure 5-20: IDF Curve of Rainfall Region B1

Chapter 5
Figure 5-21: IDF Curve of Rainfall Region B2

Chapter 5
Figure 5-22: IDF Curve of Rainfall Region C

Chapter 5
Figure 5-23: IDF Curve of Rainfall Region D

Chapter 5
Table 5-19: 24hr Rainfall Depth Vs Frequency

24 hr Rainfall Depth (mm) vs Frequency (yr)
Return Period
2 5 10 25 50 100 200 500
Years
RR-A1 50.30 66.02 76.28 89.13 98.63 108.06 117.48 130.00
RR-A2 51.92 65.52 74.45 85.70 94.07 102.45 110.91 122.27
RR-A3 47.54 59.61 67.66 77.92 85.62 93.34 101.13 111.58
RR-A4 50.39 63.83 72.28 82.55 89.97 97.20 104.32 113.63
RR-B1 58.87 71.26 79.29 89.35 96.84 104.37 112.02 122.41
RR-B2 55.26 69.95 79.68 92.03 101.29 110.61 120.07 132.87
RR-C 56.52 71.04 80.54 92.52 101.48 110.50 119.66 132.06
RR-D 56.23 76.84 90.37 107.46 120.23 133.05 146.00 163.44
Note: RR- Rainfall Region
5.12 References
1. Mesay Daniel Tulu“Event based rainfall-runoff modelling in semi-arid regions,
September 2010”, PhD Thesis.
2. Mohammed Abdulkadir Abdurahman“Assessment of micro-dam irrigation projects
and runoff predictions for ungauged catchments in Northern Ethiopia ,2009” PhD
Thesis
3. HEC 19.
4. Highway Drainage Guidelines, Volume 11, Guidelines for Hydrology, Task Force on
Hydrology and Hydraulics, AASHTO Highway Subcommittee on Design.
5. Federal Highway Administration. 1990.HYDRAIN Documentation.
6. Gebeyehu, Admasu, Regional Flood Frequency Analysis, Hydraulics Laboratory,
Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, 1989.
7. U. S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
1984.Hydrology.Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 19.
8. Wahl, Kenneth L. 1983. Determining Stream Flow Characteristics Based on Channel
Cross Section Properties.Transportation Research Board.National Academy of
Sciences, Record Number 922.
9. Sauer, V. B., Thomas, W. O., Stricker, V. A., and Wilson, K. V. 1983.Flood
Characteristics of Urban Catchment areas in the United States -- Techniques for
Estimating Magnitude and Frequency of Urban Floods.U. S. Geological Survey
Water-Supply Paper 2204.
10. Newton, D. W., and Herin, Janet C. 1982. Assessment of Commonly Used Methods
of Estimating Flood Frequency. Transportation Research Board.National Academy of
Sciences, Record Number 896.
11. Water Resources Council Bulletin 17B. 1981.Guidelines for determining flood flow
frequency.

Chapter 5
12. Overton, D. E. and M. E. Meadows. 1976.Storm Water Modeling.Academic

Press.New York, N.Y. pp. 58-88.
13. Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Technical Release No. 55 (2nd Edition).
14. Applied Hydrology, V. T. Chow et al.
15. SCS National Engineering Handbook, Section 4.
16. USDA Soil Conservation Service TP-149 (SCS-TP-149), “A Method for Estimating
Volume and Rate of Runoff in Small Watersheds,” revised April 1973.
17. Regan, R. M., A Nomograph Based on Kinematic Wave Theory for Determining
Time of Concentration for Overland Flow,” Report No. 44, Civil Engineering
Department, University of Maryland at College Park, 1971.
18. Wright-McLaughlin 1969.
19. Potter, W. D. Upper and Lower Frequency Curves for Peak Rates of
Runoff.Transactions, American Geophysical Union, Vol. 39, No. 1, February 1958,
pp. 100-105.

Chapter 5
APPENDIX 5A- EXAMPLE PROBLEMS

Example1: Rural Runoff Example using Rational Method
The example describes the process to determine the peak runoff from a simple rural
catchment area around Wukro.
Step 1: Determine Catchment Area
Step 2: Determine longest flow path and elevations.
Name Catchment Stream Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation

Area Km2 length @ U/S (m) @ D/S (m) @ 10% @ 85%
(m) (m) (m)
C1 0.3252 798.20 3067.50 2946.90 2950.80 3058.70
Step 3: Determine Catchment Property
Land Cover SoilType Hydrologic Rainfall Region AMC

Soil Group
Cultivated Lithosols D Rainfall Region A1 Normal

Chapter 5
Step 4: Calculate Time of concentration

The time of concentration in rural area divide in to two sections as specified in sec 5.5.
1) Time of concentration for overland flow
1KL .
= 0.604 J .$ M
%
Cv = roughness coefficient of land use Table 5…. =0.2

L = hydraulic length of catchment, measured along flow path from the catchment
boundary to the point where the flood needs to be determined (km) =0.12km
H = height of most remote point above outlet of catchment (m)
( (#.$=#$N. 8)
S = Slope of the catchment or% = (m/m) = =0.0694
( ∗. 8)
.8∗. 8 .
Tc = time of concentration (hours) =0.604 = 0.1973 hr
(.N).

Chapter 5
2) Time of concentration for defined water course

.#$
0.87L8
= P Q
1000%&'
L = hydraulic length of catchments, measured along flow path from the catchment
boundary to the point where the flood needs to be determined (km) = 0.7982km
Sav = average slope (m/m)
R.$ − R.
%&' =
(1000)(0.75L)
H 0.10L= elevation height at 10% of the length of the watercourse (m) = 2950.80
H 0.85L = elevation height at 85% of the length of the watercourse (m) = 3058.70
L = length of watercourse (km) = 0. 7982
3058.7 − 2950.8
TUV = = Y. Z[ZY\
1000 ∗ 0.75 ∗ 0.7982
.#$
.∗.N8
Tc= time of concentration (hours) = = Y. [Y[\
∗.8 8
Tct= TC1+TC2 = 0.1973+0.1014= 0.2986 hr = 17.92min
Step 5: Determine rainfall intensity

Chapter 5
IDF Curve Of Rainfall Region A1

250.00
200.00
Intensity in mm/hr
150.00 2 years
5 years
10 years
100.00
25 years
50 years
50.00 100 years
0.00
0 50 100 150 200
Duration in Min
The catchment area were found in rainfall region A1, use the IDF curve of rainfall region
A1 (or use project specific IDF curve) and find the rainfall intensity for different return
periods.
I2=59.5mm/hr ; I5=78.6mm/hr; I10=90mm/hr; I25=107.3mm/hr; I50=119.4mm/hr;
I100=130mm/hr
Step 6: Determine runoff coefficients

The runoff coefficient were depends on the catchment slope, permeability of the soil and
vegetation cover.
] = ]^ + ]` + ]V = Y. [ + Y. [a + Y. Z = Y. \a
Cs= catchment slope coefficient = 0.10
Cp= Soil permeability coefficient = 0.15
CV= Land cover coefficient = 0.20

Chapter 5
Step 7: Calculate the Peak flood

b = Y. Zcd ]]e fg
Q = maximum rate of runoff, m3/s
C = runoff coefficient
I = average rainfall intensity for a duration equal to the time of concentration, for a
selected return period, mm/hr
A = catchment area tributary to the design location, Km2
Return 2 10 25
period 5 Year 50 Year 100 Year
Year Year Year
I =mm/hr 59.5 78.6 90 107.3 119.4 130
Cf 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3
3
Q =m /s 8.71 11.50 13.17 17.27 20.97 23.78
Example 2: Rural Runoff Example using SCS Method
Photo showing crossing location

This example describes the process to determine the peak runoff from a simple rural
catchment area around Nekempte.

Chapter 5
Step 1: Determine Catchment Area
Step 2: Determine longest flow path and elevation
Name Catchment Stream Elevation @ Elevation @ Elevation @ Elevation @

Area Km2 length (m) U/S (m) D/S (m) 10% (m) 85% (m)
C2 19.077 10342.87 1704.4 1320.3 1323 1411.099
Step 3: Determine Catchment area Property
Normal
Land Hydrologic Soil Wet Region
Soil Type Rainfall Region AMC Curve
Cover Group Soil Type Curve no.
No
Grass Dystric Rainfall Region
B Wet 69 85
land Cambisols B1
Grass Orthic Rainfall Region
B Wet 69 85
land Acrisols B1

Chapter 5
Step 4: Calculate Time of concentration

The time of concentration in rural area divide in to two sections as specified in sec 5.5.
• time of concentration for overland flow
1' L .
= 0.604 J .$ M
%
Cv = roughness coefficient of land use Table 5…. =0.15

L = hydraulic length of catchment, measured along flow path from the catchment
boundary to the point where the flood needs to be determined (km) =0.20km
H = height of most remote point above outlet of catchment (m)
( .= $#.N
S = Slope of the catchment whereS = = = Y. Zai[j(m/m)
∗.8
. $∗.8 .
Tc = time of concentration (hours) = = 0.604 = Y. [j[dc ℎ
(.8$# ).
• Time of concentration for defined water course

.#$
0.87L8
= P Q
1000%&'
L = hydraulic length of catchments, measured along flow path from the catchment
boundary to the point where the flood needs to be determined (km) = 10.339km
Sav = average slope (m/m)
R.$ − R.
%&' =
(1000)(0.75L)

Chapter 5
H 0.10L= elevation height at 10% of the length of the watercourse (m) = 1323.00
H 0.805L = elevation height at 85% of the length of the watercourse (m) = 1411.099
L = length of watercourse (km) = 10.399
1411.099 − 1323.00
%&' = = Y. Y[[iY
1000 ∗ 0.75 ∗ 10.399
.#$
.∗ .#NN
Tc = time of concentration (hours) = = 2.2613
∗.. #
Tct= TC1+TC2 = 0.16187+2.2613= 2.42319 hr = 145.392min
Step 5: Calculate peak flood

The peak flood estimation was done by using the SCS unit hydrograph flood estimation
formula.
1) Rainfall Runoff equation

A relationship between accumulated rainfall and accumulated runoff was derived by SCS
from experimental plots for numerous hydrologic and vegetative cover conditions.
( − 2l)8
-=
( − 2l) + %
Where: Q = accumulated direct runoff, mm
P = accumulated rainfall (potential maximum runoff), mm
Ia= initial abstraction including surface storage, interception, and infiltration prior
to runoff, mm Ia=0.2*S
8$
%= − 254
?@
S = potential maximum retention, mm
Ia= initial abstraction including surface storage, interception, and infiltration prior
to runoff, mm Ia=0.2*S
CN= Curve Number , in the above catchment characteristics table the area were
located in WET region of the country the normal curve number changed to wet
region as per the manual. = 88
The catchment area located in rainfall region B1 use the 24hr rainfall depth of
Nekempte meteorological station.
Return period 2 Years 5Years 10 Years 25 Years 50 Years 100 Years

P 68.78 83.45 92.34 102.72 109.86 116.49
Q 34.193 46.502 54.224 63.43 69.86 75.89

Chapter 5
2) Peak Discharge estimation

The following equation were used for the estimation of the peak discharge in SCS method
Am = An ∗ 3 ∗ -
Whereqp = peak discharge, m3/s
qu = unit peak discharge, m3/s/km2/mm
An =∝∗ 10?G:? FGH7:8(FGH7)
Where Co, C1 and C2 = regression coefficients given in table 5… for various Ia/p
ratios: = unit conversion factor equal to 0.000431 in SI unit.
A = drainage area, Km2
Q = depth of runoff, mm
Return 10
period 2 Years 5Years Years 25 Years 50 Years 100 Years
Ia/p 0.130 0.107 0.097 0.087 0.0816 0.0769
Qu 0.0821 0.0837 0.0845 0.0853 0.0861 0.0865
qp (m3/s) 53.568 74.271 87.444 103.213 114.701 125.163
Example 3: Flood Routing Method

Large Catchments with Multiple Watersheds
Subdivision of the area of a large basin may be necessary because of the size and
complexity of the physical system.A basin with streams and/or a diverse topography may
be divided into smaller components.In this section, the model input preparation for a
subdivided basin is presented.This watershed may be divided into sub basins.The
watershed parameter for the sub basins are given in Table 4.These parameters have been
described in step 1. For this exercise one precipitation distribution is assumed for both sub
basins.The base flow will be defined here as the flow which results from releases of water
from subsurface storage.
The input parameters starting base flow discharge (ST), threshold discharge (QR), and rate
of recession index (RT) are used to model the base flow in the HEC-HMS model.ST
represents the initial flow in the river, RT is equal to the ratio of the recession limb flow to
the recession limb flow occurring one hour earlier and QR indicates the flow at which an
exponential recession begins on the receding limb of the computed hydrograph.
The base flow record is used to input the base flow into the HEC-HMS model.The
parameters selected as an input are 5 m3/s and 8m3/s for the values of ST for the north and
south sub basins,respectively,0.05 for QR (i.e. 0.05 times the peak runoff, recommended in
the HEC-1 manual) and 0.9 for RT (a typical recession ratio) for both sub basins.
A computer program, "Hydrologic Modelling Systems" (HEC-HMS), developed by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is used in this example. This program is used in engineering
practice to determine the drainage characteristics of both rural and urban watersheds.

Chapter 5
Flood movement through river reaches and reservoirs is simulated by flood routing.Most
of the flood-routing methods available in HEC-HMS are based on the continuity equation
and some relationship between flow and storage (or stage).
HEC-HMS Input Parameters
To compute an SCS synthetic hydrograph for this exercise, the following parameters will
be determined.
Watershed Area
A topographic map is necessary to delineate a watershed for the study area and calculate its
enclosed area.Most of the time, a detailed topographic map of the site does not exist.
However, the available topographical from the Ethiopian Mapping Agency should be
obtained.
Hydrologic Soil Characteristics
The SCS curve number loss rate is used to determine the hydrologic soil characteristics for
the watershed.This book may be obtained from the SCS office in the state or county of
interest.A hydrologic classification of each soil may be determined from reference TR 55
(1986).
Antecedent moisture condition (AMC) II was assumed for this analysis.AMC II should be
selected unless rain records of the site are available.The curve numbers in Table 2 apply
for AMC II.For dry conditions (AMC I) or wet conditions (AMC III), equivalent curve
numbers can be computed (Veissman, Lewis and Knapp (1989)).
Precipitation
There are six methods of precipitation models available.The gage data is not available for
the watersheds and will not be used for the example given.The frequency-based storm will
be used in this illustrative example.This hypothetical storm will be automatically
distributed according to the specified depth/duration data.A triangular precipitation
distribution is constructed such that the depth specified for any duration occurs during the
central part of the storm.
The required inputs are:
Exceed Probability;
Storm frequency; the 100-year storm is used for the example or 1% probability
Storm Area; storm size will be the same as the watershed area.
Series Type; annual or partial.
Duration of Max Intensity; smallest input duration
Storm Duration; maximum input duration
Unit Hydrograph Method
The SCS dimensionless unit hydrograph is used in the illustrative example.The only
parameter necessary to obtain this unit hydrograph is the Time of Concentration (TC),
which is determined by techniques given in TR-55 (1986).For the example watershed,
there are three components of TC: sheet flow, shallow concentrated flow, and open
channel flow.See Table 3 for details in the determination of these values.

Chapter 5
Flood Hydrograph Determination

As outlined above the frequency based storm will be used to determine the precipitation
data, SCS curve number for the loss rate, and the SCS unit hydrograph. The determinations
of these parameters are given in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
Table 1: Soil Types and Curve Numbers Computation Sheet
Soil Description Area* CN Weighted CN
(Area x CN)
Water New Pond 28 100 2800
RsC Rockaway Rock Outcrop 71.5 75 5362.5
RvF Rock Outcrop 31.8 90 2862
HbC Stony Loam 27.5 70 1925
RsD Rock Outcrop 23.25 89 2069.25
RgA Ridgebury Very Stony Loam 18.5 80 1480
RpC Rock Very Stony Sandy Loam 17.25 72 1242
RiB Extremely Stony Loam 12 81 972
RrD Extremely Stony Sandy Loam 9.5 76 722
Cm Carisle Muck 7.75 82 635.5
Ad Adrian Muck 3 80 240
PeC Park Extremely Stony Sandy Loam 2 70 140
Wm Whitman, Stony Loam 1.5 80 120
RsC Rockaway, Rock outcrop 1.5 83 124.5
RpC Rock Very Stony Sandy Loam 0.75 75 54
Total 255.8 20748.75
* Note: Area in arbitrary units(Total Weighted CN)/(Total Area) = CN = 81.11

Chapter 5
Table 2: Runoff Curve Numbers
Cover Type Hydrologic Curve Numbers

Condition For Hydrologic
Soil Group
ABCD
Pasture, grassland, or range—continuous forage

Poor 68798689
Fair 49697984
Good 39617480
Meadow,continuous grass, protected from grazing and generally mowed for hay
30587178
Brush--brush-weed-grass mixture with brush the major element.

Poor 48677783
Fair 35567077
Good 30486573
Woods--grass combination (orchard or tree farm).

Poor 57738286
Fair 43657682
Good 32587279
Woods. Poor 45667783

Fair 36607379
Good 30557077
Farmsteads--buildings, lanes, driveways and surrounding lots

59748286
Because of the varied shape and topography of the Stickle Pond watershed, three paths of
flow were selected to determine TC, see Figure 2.These three paths are located in the top,
middle and bottom of the watershed.The TR-55 reference 1 is used to determine TC.
There are three components of TC:

. ().)
1.Sheet flow 1 =
(< ). .o
Where, n = 0.4 woods,
L = 150 (L maximum of 200 m, a smaller value is recommended),
P2 = 3.25 mm (2 year, 24 hour rain),
S = slope of watershed at the divide.

Chapter 5

2.Shallow concentrated flow 18 =
#'
Where, v = 16.134s1/2
s = water course slope.

3.Open channel flow 1# =
#'
where, v =(1.49r2/3 s 1/2)/n
and n = 0.03 from site visit, TR55 recommends 0.05;
s = channel slope;
r = hydraulic radius = 0.4(TR55).
4.Total TC = TC1 + TC2 + TC3
Table 3: Computation Sheet For Tc, Time of Concentration

Path S TC1 L(m) DH S TC2 L DH S TC3 Total
(m) (m) (m) TC
Top .060 .317 1600 80 .050 .123 4400 78.3 .0178 .339 .779
Middle .0313 .411 4900 125 .026 .523 2000 68.3 .0342 .111 1.045
Bottom .224 .187 3400 272 .080 .207 3200 19.3 .0060 .425 .819
The largest value of the time of travel is usually selected for TC.But because of the number
of assumptions made in selecting the parameters, an average TC will be used.
TC = 0.88 hours and, TLAG = 0.6 x TC = 0.53 hours
Table 4: Sub Basin Characteristics
Sub-Basin Tc(Hours) Area (Square km) CN 100 yr Precip (mm)

North 0.77 .771 85.2 7.5
South 0.9245 1.859 79.4 7.5

Chapter 5
Figure 1: Output for a sub-basin Hydrograph
Figure 2: Combined output hydrograph

Chapter 5
APPENDIX 5B - MEAN ANNUAL RAINFALL
Mean Annual Rainfall Region A1

50.00
45.00
40.00
35.00
Axum
30.00 Maichew
Mekele
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Chapter 5

70.00
60.00
50.00
Addis Ababa
40.00
Bahir Dar
30.00 Deber Markos
Deber Tabor
20.00
Deber Zeit
Fitch
10.00
Gonder
0.00

Chapter 5

50.00
45.00
40.00
35.00
Kulumsa
30.00
Nazeret
Robe
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00

Chapter 5

35.00
30.00
25.00
Dire Dawa
20.00 Metehara
Mieso
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00

Chapter 5
Mean Annual Rainfall Region B1

70.00
60.00
50.00
Bedele
40.00 Gore
Jimma
30.00 Nekempte
20.00
10.00
0.00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Chapter 5
Mean Annual Rainfall Region B2

45.00
40.00
35.00
30.00
Arbaminch
25.00 Awassa
Wolita Sodo
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00

Chapter 5
Mean Annual Rainfall Region C

60.00
50.00
40.00
Komobolcha
Sirinka
Woldia
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00

Chapter 5
Mean Annual Rainfall Region D

50.00
45.00
40.00
35.00
Keberi Dihar
30.00 Kibre Mengest
25.00 Gode
Moyale
20.00
Negele
15.00
Yabello
10.00
5.00
0.00

Chapter 15
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Chapter 5

Drainage Design Manual – 2013 Hydrology

Photo 5-1: Drainage Basin along a Highway

(Source: ERA Website).

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-1

5.2 Definition and Symbols

Page 5-2 Ethiopian Roads Authority

Symbol Definition Units

5.3 Hydrologic Design Principles

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-3

consequently imprecise. No specific standards or definitive criteria for hydrological

5.3.1 Peak Discharge versus Frequency Relations

Figure 5-1: Typical Flood Frequency Curve

Page 5-4 Ethiopian Roads Authority

5.3.2 Flood Hydrographs

Figure 5-2: Sample Flood Hydrograph

5.3.3 Unit Hydrographs

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-5

Figure 5-3: Sample SCS Dimensionless Unit hydrograph

5.3.5 Flood History

Page 5-6 Ethiopian Roads Authority

5.3.6 Sources of Hydrological Information

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-7

• Evaporation: Evaporation is the precipitation that returns to the atmosphere as

Figure 5-4: Catchment shape

(Courtesy of Alan A. Smith Inc)

Page 5-8 Ethiopian Roads Authority

watershed may be ignored because it is common to assume uniform rainfall distribution

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-9

Page 5-10 Ethiopian Roads Authority

5.4 Design and Check Frequency

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-11

an economic analysis to determine a new frequency. However, no interstate highway or

Figure 5-5: Urban Storm DrainageSystems

Page 5-12 Ethiopian Roads Authority

Mathematically, the probability of non-occurrence is:

1 year 10 year 25 year 50 year

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-13

5.4.1 Design Discharge Estimation

5.4.2 Rainfall vs. Frequency

5.4.3 Check Flood Frequencies

Page 5-14 Ethiopian Roads Authority

5.5 Hydrologic Analysis Method

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-15

Page 5-16 Ethiopian Roads Authority

Recommended Return period of

5.5.1 Hydrologic Analysis Procedure Flowchart

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-17

Figure 5-6: Hydrologic Analysis Procedure Flowchart

5.6 Time of Concentration

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-19

5.6.2 Flow Path Consideration

Page 5-20 Ethiopian Roads Authority

5.6.3 Peak Discharge Adjustments

5.6.4 Overland Flow Path Selection

Figure 5-7: Slope definition for overland flow

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-21

(ii) Calculation of Time of Concentration for Defined Watercourses

Figure 5-8: Slope according to weighted area method

Page 5-22 Ethiopian Roads Authority

Figure 5-9:1085-slope according to “US Geological survey”

Figure 5-10:Calculation of main channel slope

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page 5-23

5.6.5 Common Errors

AC =∝ 10?E :?, FGH7I :?(FGH7I )