Lab Code and Title of Experiment

Y3 – Hydrological Assessment

Abstract

With the change of climate in Kota Samarahan area, it affects the stream flow
in certain places. Hence, a field observation and measurement are conducted at
DeTAR PUTRA, UNIMAS to understand hydrological features in a catchment area.
The total rainfall data taken are 12 times with every 5 minute intervals by using a
container. In other word, the raining runs over for an hour. The water depth in the
container is taken as rainfall data with every 5 minute. Graph of time taken versus
rainfall data obtained (depth of water in the container) is plotted to know
relationship in a graphical way. Before that, the dimension of drain without water
is recorded. The container is placed somewhere near outlet drain. The velocity and
the depth of water are the parameter taken from the outlet drain and the parameters
then resulted into a finding value of flow rate. The calculated flow rate is
corresponding to the time as the data taken same with the rainfall data. A time series
of stream flow at respective location on a stream were then presented in the form of
hydrograph. A unit hydrograph is defined as the direct runoff hydrograph resulting
from a unit pulse of excess rainfall. It is found that the streamflow responded
quickly to rain events but declined rapidly after the rain stopped. From this study,
it aims to carry out hydrological assessment in a catchment using desk study and
any appropriate testing and analytical methods.

1
Introduction and Theory

The hydrological assessment takes place at Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman

PUTRA (DeTAR PUTRA), UNIMAS on 3rd December 2018. The duration of the
rain is 1 hour since the raining is started around 5.00pm until 6.00pm. All the
equipment is prepared while waiting the raining.
The science of hydrology deals with the occurrence and movement of water
on and over the surface of the Earth. The fundamental requirement is observed and
measured data on all aspects of precipitation, runoff, percolation, river flow,
evaporation, infiltration and storage of water (Wilson, 1990). Two important
elements for hydrometry to address are rainfall and streamflow. Streamflow is the
combined result of all climatological and geographical factors that operate in a
drainage basin. It is the only phase of the hydrological cycle in which the water is
confined in well-defined channels which permit accurate measurements to be made
of the quantities involved (Herschy, 2009).
Unit hydrograph is a hydrograph of direct runoff (excluding the baseflow)
observed at the downstream limit of a basin due to one unit of rainfall excess (net
precipitation) falling for a unit time tr .A hydrograph reflects all of the combined
physical characteristics of the drainage basin (shape, size, slope, soils) and that of
the causative storm (pattern, intensity, duration). Variations in storm characteristics,
however, have a significant effect on the shape of hydrographs. This includes
rainfall duration, intensity, and areal distribution in the basin. The unit hydrograph
is important in the estimation of natural stream flows and peak flows from rainfall
records. There are two approaches to deriving a unit hydrograph. In the first
approach, the unit hydrograph is derived directly from a storm hydrograph recorded
in the basin. This is an inverse problem, since the basic use of the unit hydrograph
is to construct storm or streamflow hydrographs. The second approach is to make
use of the instantaneous unit hydrograph concept (Ram S.Gupta ,1989).

2
Objectives
To carry out hydrological assessment in a catchment using desk study and any
appropriate testing and analytical methods.

Apparatus and Material

1. Container
2. Ruler
3. Measuring cylinder
4. Wooden rod
5. Timer

Methodology

This experiment is conducted in rainy day at Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman

PUTRA (DeTAR PUTRA) in UNIMAS. This project is demand to get a rainfall
data located at the outlet of the catchment area with one sub-catchment. The
measurement of water depth and the velocity in the perimeter drain is determined
within area of the outlet drain. The width of the perimeter drain is measured and the
depth of water in the drain is measured every five minute time interval . The
procedure to get the data required is divided into three parts. The area of the
catchment is ensured to be protected from high wind as to prevent rainfall recorded
was not affected by air disturbance due to tall building and trees.

Part 1 : Collect rainfall data

A container is placed on level ground near the catchment outlet with no obstructions
above it before the rainfall start. A stone was placed beside container to prevent the
container from tipping over because rainfall usually comes with high wind and
storm. The rainfall data was recorded by measuring the height of water in the
container using ruler. The height of water is measured at time interval of 5 minutes
until the rain stop.

3
 Figure 1 : A container used to collect rainfall data

Part 2 : Measurement water depth in drain

The depth of flowing water in the drain was measured by using a wooden rod. A
wooden rod is used instead of measuring tape because measuring tape cannot
withstand the water flow. The wooden rod is then marked with hand correspond to
the water level and then measured it by using a measuring tape. The depth is
recorded every 5 minutes together with the rainfall data taken.

Figure 2 : Determine the water depth using wooden rod

Part 3 : Determine the velocity of water in the perimeter drain.

The velocity of the flowing water in the drain is measured by using a ping-pong
ball. At first, a known distance which is 1m is set and marked at the start and end
point. A ping-pong ball was drop at least 0.5m upstream of the starting point. The
timer started once the ping pong ball reaches the starting point. The timer is stopped
when the ball reaches the end point. The time taken for the ping pong ball travel at
1m is recorded. This procedure is repeated every five minutes time interval until the
raining stop.

4
Figure 3 : A ping pong ball travels Figure 4 : 1m marked for the ping
along the drain pong ball to travel.

5
Result and Calculation:

Table 1: Rainfall data (Depth of water in the container for every 5 minutes)
Time (hr) Accumulated depth of water Depth of water in
Time (min) in the container (cm) the container (cm)
0 0.0000 0.00 0.00
5 0.0833 1.40 1.40
10 0.1667 2.90 1.50
15 0.2500 4.60 1.70
20 0.3333 6.60 2.00
25 0.4167 8.10 1.50
30 0.5000 8.90 0.80
35 0.5833 9.50 0.60
40 0.6667 10.00 0.50
45 0.7500 10.40 0.40
50 0.8333 10.70 0.30
55 0.9167 10.90 0.20
60 1.0000 10.95 0.05

Calculation:
For time 5min (0.0833hr),
Depth of water in the container = Accumulated depth of water in the container for
5min time - accumulated depth of water in the container for 0min time
Depth of water in the container = 1.40 cm – 0.00cm = 1.40 cm

*The step for the calculation of depth of water in the container for time 10
minutes until 60 minutes is same as shown in calculation above.*

2.5
Depth of water in the container

2
2
1.7
1.5 1.5
1.4
1.5
(cm)

1 0.8
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.5 0.3
0.2
0 0.05
0
0.0000 0.0833 0.1667 0.2500 0.3333 0.4167 0.5000 0.5833 0.6667 0.7500 0.8333 0.9167 1.0000
Time taken (hr)

Graph 1: Rinfall data

6
 Table 2: Stream flow data
Time taken for Depth of Area of
Time Time ping pong ball Velocity Width of water in the the drain Flow
(min) (hr) flow (s) (m/s) drain (m) drain (m) (m2) (m3/s)
0.0000
0 0.0000 0.00 0.000 0.305 0.00 0.000
0.0355
5 0.0833 1.29 0.775 0.305 0.15 0.046
0.0488
10 0.1667 1.25 0.800 0.305 0.20 0.061
0.1061
15 0.2500 1.15 0.870 0.305 0.40 0.122
0.1423
20 0.3333 1.05 0.952 0.305 0.49 0.149
0.1185
25 0.4167 1.21 0.826 0.305 0.47 0.143
0.0479
30 0.5000 2.93 0.341 0.305 0.46 0.140
0.0407
35 0.5833 3.15 0.317 0.305 0.42 0.128
0.0330
40 0.6667 3.60 0.278 0.305 0.39 0.119
0.0145
45 0.7500 4.43 0.226 0.305 0.21 0.064
0.0064
50 0.8333 5.69 0.176 0.305 0.12 0.037
0.0038
55 0.9167 6.45 0.155 0.305 0.08 0.024
0.0000
60 1.0000 0.00 0.000 0.305 0.00 0.000

Table 3: Computational of direct runoff volume

Average Runoff ×
Time Time Flow Baseflow Direct runoff Runoff Duration Time
(min) (hr) (m3/s) (m3/s) (m3/s) (m3/s) (hr) (m3.hr/s)
0 0.0000 0.0000 0 0.0000 - - -
5 0.0833 0.0355 0 0.0355 0.0177 0.0833 0.00148
10 0.1667 0.0488 0 0.0488 0.0421 0.0833 0.00351
15 0.2500 0.1061 0 0.1061 0.0774 0.0833 0.00645
20 0.3333 0.1423 0 0.1423 0.1242 0.0833 0.01035
25 0.4167 0.1185 0 0.1185 0.1304 0.0833 0.01087
30 0.5000 0.0479 0 0.0479 0.0832 0.0833 0.00693
35 0.5833 0.0407 0 0.0407 0.0443 0.0833 0.00369
40 0.6667 0.0330 0 0.0330 0.0369 0.0833 0.00307
45 0.7500 0.0145 0 0.0145 0.0237 0.0833 0.00198
50 0.8333 0.0064 0 0.0064 0.0104 0.0833 0.00087
55 0.9167 0.0038 0 0.0038 0.0051 0.0833 0.00043
60 1.0000 0.0000 0 0.0000 0.0019 0.0833 0.00016
3
Total (m .hr/s) 0.04979

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 0.1600
0.1400
0.1200
Flow (m3/s)
0.1000
0.0800
0.0600
0.0400
0.0200
0.0000
0.0000 0.2000 0.4000 0.6000 0.8000 1.0000 1.2000
Time (hr)

Flow Baseflow

Graph 2

Figure 1: Catchment Area using Autocad (7399.4078m2)

8
Calculation:
Stream flow data
For time: 5 minutes
Width of drain = 0.305m
Depth of water in the drain = 0.15m
Area of drain = Width of drain × Depth of water in the drain
= 0.305m × 0.15m
= 0.046 m2
Distance between point 1 and point 2 = 1m
Time taken for the ping pong ball flow from point 1 to point 2 = 1.29s
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 1
Velocity = 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 = = 0.775𝑚/𝑠
1.29

Flow = Area of drain × velocity

= 0.046 m2 × 0.775 m2/s
= 0.0355 m3/s
*The calculation steps for time 10 minutes until 60 minutes is same for the
calculation as shown in calculation above.*

Direct runoff volume

For time : 5 minutes (0.0833hr)
Flow = 0.0355 m3/s
Baseflow = 0 m3/s
Direct runoff = Flow – Baseflow = 0.0355 m3/s − 0 m3/s = 0.0355 m3/s
𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 min + 𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑟 5𝑚𝑖𝑛
Average runoff = 2
0+0.0355
= 2

= 0.0177 m3/s
5−0
Duration = = 0.0833ℎ𝑟
60

Direct runoff volume for time 5 min = Runoff × time

= 0.0177 m3/s × 0.0833ℎ𝑟
= 0.00148 m3. hr/s

9
*The calculation steps for 10 minutes time until 60 minutes is same for the
calculation as shown in calculation above.*

𝑚3 1×60×60𝑠
Volume of runoff = 0.04979 . ℎ𝑟 × = 𝟏𝟕𝟗. 𝟐𝟒𝟒𝒎𝟑
𝑠 1ℎ𝑟

Drainage area = 7399.4078m2 = 0.007399 km2

𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 179.244𝑚3

Runoff depth = = 𝑚2
= 0.02422 m = 24.22mm
𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 0.007399 𝑘𝑚2 ×1×106
𝑘𝑚2

Table 4: Computation of Unit Hydrograph

Time Time Total runoff Baseflow Direct runoff Unit Hydrograph
(min) (hr) (m3/s) (m3/s) (m3/s) (m3/s)per mm
0 0.0000 0.0000 0 0.0000 0.00000
5 0.0833 0.0355 0 0.0355 0.00146
10 0.1667 0.0488 0 0.0488 0.00201
15 0.2500 0.1061 0 0.1061 0.00438
20 0.3333 0.1423 0 0.1423 0.00588
25 0.4167 0.1185 0 0.1185 0.00489
30 0.5000 0.0479 0 0.0479 0.00198
35 0.5833 0.0407 0 0.0407 0.00168
40 0.6667 0.0330 0 0.0330 0.00136
45 0.7500 0.0145 0 0.0145 0.00060
50 0.8333 0.0064 0 0.0064 0.00027
55 0.9167 0.0038 0 0.0038 0.00016
60 1.0000 0.0000 0 0.0000 0.00000

10
 0.00700

0.00600

0.00500
Flow (m3/s)

0.00400

0.00300

0.00200

0.00100

0.00000
0.0000 0.2000 0.4000 0.6000 0.8000 1.0000 1.2000
Time (hr)

Graph 3: Unit Hydrograph

Calculation:
The volume of surface runoff is converted to a depth, Pn of the net storm over the
drainage area by the equation:
𝐾𝑉
𝑃𝑛 = , where Pn = runoff depth of the storm
𝐴

K = conversion factor
V = volume under the hydrograph
A = drainage area (catchment area)

𝐾𝑉 3.6 × 0.04979
𝑃𝑛 = = = 24.22𝑚𝑚
𝐴 0.007399

For time: 5 minutes

𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑜𝑓𝑓 0.0355 𝑚3
Unit hydrograph = = = 0.00146 . 𝑚𝑚
𝑃𝑛 24.22 𝑠

*The unit hydrograph calculation steps for 10 minutes time until 60 minutes is
same for the calculation as shown in calculation above.*

11
By using trial and error method to find the ϕ index

Using formula, 𝑟𝑑 = ∑𝑀
𝑚=1(𝑅𝑚 − 𝜙𝛥𝑡),

where rd = depth of direct runoff

Rm = observed rainfall
Φ = Phi index
M = interval of rainfall contributing to direct runoff
Δt = time interval

Trial 1
𝑟𝑑 = ∑𝑀
𝑚=1(𝑅𝑚 − 𝜙𝛥𝑡) , where rd = 24.22mm and Δt = 0.0833hr

24.22 = (14 – 0.0833ϕ) + (15 - 0.0833ϕ) + (17 - 0.0833ϕ) + (20 - 0.0833ϕ) + (15 -
0.0833ϕ) + (8 - 0.0833ϕ) + (6 - 0.0833ϕ) + (5 - 5ϕ) + (4 - 0.0833ϕ) + (3 - 0.0833ϕ)
+ (2 - 0.0833ϕ) + ( 0.5 - 0.0833ϕ)
24.22 = 109.5 - ϕ
Φ = 85.28
ϕΔt = 85.28(0.0833) = 7.104hr

Trial 2
𝑟𝑑 = ∑𝑀
𝑚=1(𝑅𝑚 − 𝜙𝛥𝑡) , where rd = 24.22mm and Δt = 0.0833hr

24.22 = (14 – 0.0833ϕ) + (15 - 0.0833ϕ) + (17 - 0.0833ϕ) + (20 - 0.0833ϕ) + (15 -
0.0833ϕ) + (8 - 0.0833ϕ)
24.22 = 89.0 – 0.5ϕ
Φ = 129.56
ϕΔt = 129.56(0.0833) = 10.792hr

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Trial 3
𝑟𝑑 = ∑𝑀
𝑚=1(𝑅𝑚 − 𝜙𝛥𝑡) , where rd = 24.22mm and Δt = 0.0833hr

24.22 = (14 – 0.0833ϕ) + (15 - 0.0833ϕ) + (17 - 0.0833ϕ) + (20 - 0.0833ϕ) + (15 -
0.0833ϕ)
24.22 = 81 – 0.4167ϕ
Φ = 136.261
ϕΔt = 136.261(0.0833) = 11.351hr

Effective runoff hydrograph, ERH = Rm - ɸΔt = (14 + 15 +17 + 20 + 15) – 11.351

= 81.0 – 11.351
= 69.649hr

Graph 4

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 Table 5: Excess rainfall
Observed
Time Time Rain Flow Direct runoff
(min) (hr) (mm) (m3/s) (m3/s) Excess rainfall (mm)
0 0.0000 0.0 0.0000 0.0000
5 0.0833 14.0 0.0355 0.0355 14.0 – 11.351 = 2.649
10 0.1667 15.0 0.0488 0.0488 15.0 – 11.351 = 3.649
15 0.2500 17.0 0.1061 0.1061 17.0 – 11.351 = 5.649
20 0.3333 20.0 0.1423 0.1423 20.0 – 11.351 = 8.649
25 0.4167 15.0 0.1185 0.1185 15.0 – 11.351 = 3.649
30 0.5000 8.0 0.0479 0.0479
35 0.5833 6.0 0.0407 0.0407
40 0.6667 5.0 0.0330 0.0330
45 0.7500 4.0 0.0145 0.0145
50 0.8333 3.0 0.0064 0.0064
55 0.9167 2.0 0.0038 0.0038
60 1.0000 0.5 0.0000 0.0000

Estimate loss
Excess rainfall = observed rainfall – Abstractions (loss)
Abstractions (Loss) = Observed rainfall – Excess rainfall
Abstractions (Loss) = (14 + 15 + 17 + 20 + 15 + 8 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 0.5) –
(2.649 + 3.649 + 5.649 + 8.649 + 3.649)
Abstractions (Loss) = 109.5 – 24.245 = 85.255 mm

14
Discussion

This hydrological assessment is conducted in the catchment area using desk

study, and any appropriate testing and anlytical method. In this assessment, we are
choosing DetAR PUTRA, UNIMAS as our catchment area. The rainfall data we
obtained from this experiment is as shown in Table 1. This rainfall data we obtained
by carry out an experiment at the selected catchment area using a container which
as like the tipping bucket. The depth of the water in the container is measured every
5 minutes in order to determined the rainfall data for each time interval. There is
only 12 rainfall data can be obtained with one hour duration of time since the rain
is stop raining after one hour. From the graph 1, we can see that it is rain heavily at
the beginning and the rain slowing down after 0.3333hr until it stopped.
The stream flow in the outlet drain which is the perimeter drain can be
determined by carried out an experiment to determine the time taken for the ping
pong ball from the starting point (point 1) to reach the ending point (point 2) with
the distance of 1m. The process is repeated with every 5 minutes time interval until
the raining stop. The velocity, v of the stream flow can be calculated by using the
formula, v = distance / time taken. The width of the perimeter drain is the same
which is 0.305m while the depth of water in the drain is different at each time
interval of 5minutes. In this experiment, the perimeter drain is assumed to be in
rectangular shape. The depth of water in the drain is measured using the wooden
rod and then measured it by using the measuring tape. The area of the drain can be
calculated by multiplied the width of drain with the depth of water in the drain.
After the area of the drain is calculated, the flow (discharge) can be determined by
using the formula, flow = Area of drain × velocity of stream flow.
From the table 3, we can see that the baseflow for this experiment is 0 since
there is no any water in the perimeter drain before raining. Therefore, the direct
runoff is same as the value for the flow at each time interval of 5 minutes. The
volume of runoff we calculated is 179.244m3 while the runoff depth is 24.22mm.
The catchment area we obtained for DeTAR PUTRA is 0.007399km2 using the
AutoCAD. The unit hydrograph can be plotted after the runoff depth of the storm,
𝐾𝑉
Pn using formula, 𝑃𝑛 = , where K is the conversion factor which is 3.6 (this case),
𝐴

V is the volume under the hydrograph which is 0.04979m3.hr/s, and A is the

15
drainage area (catchment area) which is 0.007399km2. The runoff depth of the
storm, Pn we obtained is 24.22mm and this value is used to divided the direct runoff
value at each time interval of 5 minutes in order to calculated the unit hydrograph
value. The unit used for unit hydrograph is in m3/s per mm.
By using the trial and error method, the ϕ index for this experiment can be
determined. From the calculation, we can see that ϕΔt we obtained is 11.351hr. The
effective runoff hydrograph, ERH can be determined by using the formula ERH =
Rm - ɸΔt. The ERH we calculated is 69.649hr. By using the value of ϕΔt we
obtained, the excess rainfall can be calculated. The excess rainfall occur in the time
interval of 5 minutes until 25 minutes as we can see from the graph 4. The estimate
loss for this catchment area is 85.255mm.
There are some source of error during the experiment is conducted which
can affected the accuracy of the result. One of the sources of errors is we encounter
difficulty to take reading of the depth of water in the drain as heavy rain increases
the flow rate along the drain. Then, observer’s eye is not perpendicular to the scale
of measuring tools where the reading of water in container and the depth of water
level in drain (wooden rod) is taken. Another error that been considered is the
reading taken at 5 minutes interval at both locations may not be taken at the same
time.
Some precautionary steps that can be apply to minimise the percentage of
error. One of the ways to overcome the errors is a wooden rod is placed at the centre
of the flowing water in the drain instead of measuring tape. Wooden rod can
withstand the water flow and the depth of water is mark then measured by using a
measuring tape. Eyes must be perpendicular to the scale of measuring tools to get
an accurate reading. Only one stop watch are used to ensure the reading taken at
both locations is the same. Another precaution is the rain collector is placed near
the observed flowing water in drain for a better communication between the
observers to take the reading at the same time. All the precaution steps stated upon
had been applied to get an accurate result in order to produce a hydrograph cure and
fulfil the requirement of this assessment.

16
Conclusion

In conclusion, the objectives of this assessment is achieved. We can see that

it is rain heavily at the beginning and the rain slowing down after 0.3333hr. The
width of the perimeter drain is 0.305m while the depth of water in the drain is
different for each time interval. The size of the perimeter drain we assumed is
rectangular in shape so we directly measured the depth of water in the drain using
wooden rod. The volume of runoff and the runoff depth we calculated is 179.244m3
and 24.22mm respectively with the catchment area for DeTAR PUTRA is
0.007399km2. The ϕΔt we obtained is 11.351hr and the effective runoff depth, ERH
is 69.649hr. The estimate loss for this catchment area is 85.255mm.

17
References

Gupta, R. S. (1989). Hydrology and Hydraulic Systems. Prentice Hall, Eaglewood

Cliffs: New Jersey, pp.294-302.

Herschy, R. W. (2009). Streamflow Measurement. Fourth Edition. British

Standards Institution Techical Committee on Hydrometry. Routledge
Taylor & Francis Group.

Wilson, E. M. (1990). Engineering Hydrology. Fourth Edition. University of

Salford.

18