Hydrology 101

Instructor: Robert (Bob) Carr, PE, CSM

XP Software, Inc.
Senior Water Resources Engineer
 Hydrology
The “Art” or Science of
changing rainfall to
runoff
 Engineering Design - Hydrology
• Stormwater Drainage Design
• Flood damage reduction
• Public safety
• Economics of inconvenience
• Political “risk” factor
• Benefit Cost analysis (including incremental costs)
• Criteria often Established by
• State or Federal Department of Transportation
• City or Agency Technical Staff
• Regulators (consent order & permit)
The Hydrologic Cycle
 Simplified Hydrologic Budget

PRECIPITATION – LOSSES = RUNOFF

• PRECIPITATION
• Rainfall intensity, duration and volume
• Snow Melt
• Groundwater
• LOSSES
• Evapotranspiration, Infiltration, Depression Storage
• RUNOFF
• Hydrograph, Peak flow and volume
Precipitation
 Precipitation Data

Data Sources
• NOAA, National Weather Service
• SCS/CORPS/Flood Control Agencies
• Radio – TV Stations i.e. Weather Bug
• Public Works Departments
• Airports
• Weather Underground
• Private Data i.e. Weather Buffs
 Precipitation Data Types

Point Source
• Fixed Time Intervals
• Variable Time Intervals
• Design Storms
Aerial
• Radar
• NEXRAD Weather Sensing Radar Doppler (Since 1991)
• Satellite Sensors
 Precipitation Frequency/Probability
Event Frequency
• Uncertainties of nature
• Result from random (stochastic) components
• Data available is only a sample of the population
• Need to relate depth or intensity (depth/time) to duration aerial
distribution important

Event Probability – P(E)

• P(E) = n/N = percent chance of occurrence

Example
• 10 times/100 years =0.10 or a 10% chance of occurrence in 100
Years
• Commonly referred to as a 10 year Storm
 Rainfall Return Period and Risk
Return Period/Recurrence Interval – T
• T = 1/P(E) = 1/0.10 = 10 years

Risk
• That an event, P(E), will occur once in “n” successive years.
• R = (1 – 1 – 1/T)n
• T is the occurrence interval of that event based on probability of occurrence.

Challenge
• If several large storms occur frequently within a short time frame, public may not
understand recurrence interval.

Solution
• Use rainfall/time period rather than recurrence interval
• Example – Milwaukee, WI 10 year storm = 2.1 inches/1 hour
 Rainfall – Point Source

Node - 1
Max Rainfall

0.0

0.5

1.0
Hydrology Rates

1.5

2.0

2.5

1985 1986 1987 1988

Time
Radar Rainfall
 Storage and Losses
• Interception • Surface Detention
• Transpiration

• Additional Factors
• Evapotranspiration • Season
• Duration of Rainfall Event
• Infiltration • Prior weather events
• Temperature, (snowfall events)
• Soil moisture storage
• Antecedent Rainfall
• Groundwater

• Depression storage
• Infiltration
• Evaporation
 Runoff
• Hydrograph
• Peak Flow
• Volume
• Related to rainfall frequency
• Continuous Rainfall or Design Storm
• Terminology is used for Engineering purposes to
reflect frequency of occurrence
• Varies based on method and catchment
parameters
Streamflow Post Development

Schueler, 1987
Changes to Floodplain

Schueler, 1987
 Rainfall and Runoff Results
Node - 18E1-135C
[Max Flo w = 2 6.6 9 55 ]

Rainfall Total Flow

0.0
Hydrology Rates

0.5

1.0

1.5

25

20
Flow (cfs)

15

10

0
1 Tue 8 Tue 15 Tue 22 Tue 1 Thu 8 Thu 15 Thu 22 Thu 1 Sun 8 Sun
Apr 2008 Time
 Design Storms
• Concept
• A design storm of a given frequency will produce a simulated runoff peak and
volume having the same frequency. Example: a 5–year rainfall will produce a
5-year runoff peak flow and volume.

• Derived from
• Intensity – Duration – Frequency Data
• Historical Events
• Statistical or Stochastic Methods

• Used for
• Storage Basic Design
• Sewer Design
• Flood Mapping
 Computational Methods

• Traditional
• Rational Method

• Quantified
• SCS – National Engineering Handbook
• Santa Barbara Urban Hydrograph
• TR55

• Simulation
• TR20
• Storm Water Management Model – SWMM
• Hydraulic Engineering Center Series (HEC)
• HSPF
 Flexible Rainfall Data Input
Rainfall
1 7 .5

• Single Event or Continuous 1 5 .0

• Constant or Variable time 1 2 .5

Steps 1 0 .0

• Design Storms i.e. SCS Type II

Rain (in./hr)
7 .5

• Generate Statistics on Rain 5 .0

and Graph the Storms 2 .5

• Import and Analyze NWS, AES 0 .0

and Earth Info Data 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
T i m e (m i n u te s )
800 900 1000 1100

• Import and Analyze Local

Rainfall Data using a template
of historical and design storms
 Infiltration Options

• Horton
– with Cumulative Maximum Infiltration
• Green-Ampt
• Uniform Loss
– Proportional Loss
– Initial and Continuing Loss
– Initial and Proportional Loss
• SCS
– Fraction Initial Abstraction
– Fixed Depth Initial Abstraction
Horton Infiltration
Green-Ampt Equation
 Runoff, Evaporation, Infiltration

Node - 3/2
Max Infiltration

Rainfall Total Evaporation Infiltration

0.0

0.5

1.0
Hydrology Rates

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

9AM 12PM 3PM

1 Tue Jan 2008 Time
 Hydrology Methods
• SWMM Runoff
• Kinematic Wave
• Laurenson
• SCS
• Rational Method
• Unit Hydrographs
 SWMM Runoff
• CONCEPT:
• Developed by the USA EPA as a deterministic approach to runoff

• Data Needs
• Drainage Area
• Percent Impervious
• Basin Slope and Width
• Rainfall
• Evaporation
• Infiltration Method

• Limitations
• Lumped Catchment Parameters
 Runoff Mode Details

d
ds
Catchment Surfaces
Subcatchment Width
SWMM Runoff Input Data
 SWMM Runoff Output Data

Node - RUNOFF
[Max Flow = 222.8755]

Rainfall Total Flow

0
Hydrology Rates

10

20

30

200

150
Flow ( cfs)

100

50

0
1 Fri 3AM 6AM
Jan 1993 Time
 Kinematic Wave Runoff
• CONCEPT:
• Similar to the USA EPA SWMM Runoff, it uses the kinematic
wave component of the St. Venant shallow flow equations

• Data Needs
• Drainage Area
• Percent Impervious
• Basin Slope and Width
• Rainfall
• Evaporation
• Infiltration Method

• Limitations
• Lumped Catchment Parameters
Kinematic Wave Runoff Input Data
Kinematic Wave Runoff Output Data

Node - KINEMATIC
[Max Flow = 253.6939]

Rainfall Total Flow

0
Hydrology Rates

10

20

30
250

200
Flow ( cfs)

150

100

50

0
1 Fri 3AM 6AM
Jan 1993 Time
 Laurenson Hydrograph
• CONCEPT:
• Developed by Laurenson (1964) by routing runoff through non-
linear catchment storage using separate hydrographs from
pervious and impervious areas.

• Data Needs
• Drainage Area (impervious and pervious)
• Storage Delay parameter
• Manning’s n
• Slope
• Rainfall

• Limitations
• Lumped Catchment Parameters
Laurenson Input Data
 Laurenson Output Data

Node - LAURENSON
[Max Flow = 140.5219]

Rainfall Total Flow

0
Hydrology Rates

10

20

30
140

120

100
Flow ( cfs)

80

60

40

20
0
1 Fri 3AM 6AM
Jan 1993 Time
 SCS Hydrology
• CONCEPT:
• Developed by the USDA NRCS (formerly SCS)
• Data Needs
• Drainage Area
• Rainfall
• Time of Concentration
• Curve Number
• Shape Factor
• Limitations
• Limited Infiltration
• Limited use for continuous rainfall
• Do not use for storms less than 0.5 inches
• Do not use for frozen ground conditions
 SCS Hydrology
• CONCEPT:
• Developed by the USDA NRCS (formerly SCS)
• Data Needs
• Drainage Area
• Rainfall
• Time of Concentration
• Curve Number
• Shape Factor
• Limitations
• Limited Infiltration
• Limited use for continuous rainfall
• Do not use for storms less than 0.5 inches
• Do not use for frozen ground conditions
 SCS Details
•
–
•
–
–
–
–
•
–
 SCS Infiltration
Initial Abstraction, Ia=0.2*S (Default)
Potential Maximum Abstraction, S=(1000/CN)-10
Pe=(P-Ia)^2/(P-Ia+S)
SCS Runoff Input Data
 SCS Runoff Output Data
XP-SWMM Time Series
SCS TRIANGULAR SCS-DEPTH
200

180

160

140

120
Value

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Time
 Rational Method
• CONCEPT:
• Method developed by Emil Kuichling in 1889 (Q=C i A) as a
simplified approach to runoff using the Design Storm Approach

• Data Needs
• Drainage Area
• Intensity – Duration – Frequency Curves
• Drainage Coefficient (0 to 1.0)
• Time of Concentration

• Limitations
• Limited Infiltration
• No hydrograph
 Rational Method
Qpeak=k*CIA
k=unit conversion constant
C=runoff co-efficient
I=intensity against the ToC
A=catchment area

Critical catchment response:

Rainfall duration (Td)=ToC
 Intensity – Duration – Frequency

• CONCEPT:
• Curves used with the Rational Method (Q = C i A). Method to
estimate peak flow based on total watershed area at specific
locations. The duration of the rainfall must be equal to the Time
of Concentration, Tc.

• Tc = Inlet Time
• (overland flow plus channel flow to first inlet) plus time of flow
in the system to the point of design
Typical IDF Curve
Rational Method Global Input Data
Rational Method Input Data
 Rational Method Output Data

Node - Method
[Max Flow = 91.8844]

Rainfall Total Flow

0
Hydrology Rates

80

Tc
60
Flow ( cfs)

40

20

0
1 Fri 3AM 6AM
Jan 1993 Time
 Unit Hydrograph(s)
• CONCEPT:
• Developed by different engineers in various areas as a simplified
approach to runoff
• Data Needs (varies depending on method selected)
• Effective Rainfall Duration
• Peak Direct Runoff Rate
• Basin Lag Time
• Drainage Area (impervious and pervious)
• Time of Concentration
• Runoff Curve Number
• Rainfall
• Limitations
• Can over estimate peak runoff rate
• Not valid for storm durations over 24 hours
 Nash Unit Hydrograph
• CONCEPT:
• Developed in 1957, a conceptual catchment model that
rout an unit inflow through a series of identical linear
reservoirs.

• Data Needs
• Drainage Area (impervious and pervious)
• Time of Concentration
• Exponent (Basin lag)
• Rainfall

• Limitations
• requires calibration data to base input data
Nash’s Unit Hydrograph

Hydroeurope2010 – Team 8
Nash’s Unit Hydrograph Input Data
Nash’s Unit Hydrograph Output Data

Node - NASH
[Max Flow = 197.5133]

Rainfall Total Flow

0
Hydrology Rates

10

20

30
200

150
Flow ( cfs)

100

50

0
1 Fri 3AM 6AM
Jan 1993 Time
 Snyder’s Unit Hydrograph
• CONCEPT:
• Developed by Snyder (1938) as a synthetic unit hydrograph for
basins ranging from 10 to 10,000 mi2.
• Data Needs (varies depending on method selected)
• Drainage Area (impervious and pervious)
• Basin Lag Time
• Storage Coefficient
• Rainfall
• Limitations
• Can over estimate peak runoff rate
• Not valid for storm durations over 24 hours
Snyder’s Synthetic Unit Hydrograph
Snyder’s Unit Hydrograph Input Data
Snyder’s Unit Hydrograph Output Data

Node - SNYDER
[Max Flow = 148.4071]

Rainfall Total Flow

0
Hydrology Rates

10

20

30
140

120

100
Flow ( cfs)

80

60

40

20

0
1 Fri 3AM 6AM
Jan 1993 Time
 Santa Barbara Unit Hydrograph
• CONCEPT:
• Based on the SCS methodology, it uses incremental runoff
depths, instantaneous hydrographs, imaginary reservoir
and the basin time of concentration.

• Data Needs
• Drainage Area (impervious and pervious)
• Rainfall
• Time of Concentration
• Curve Number

• Limitations
• Basins larger than 1,000 acres
SBUH Input Data
 SBUH Output Data

Node - SBUH
[Max Flow = 125.5993]

Rainfall Total Flow

0
Hydrology Rates

10

20

30
120

100

80
Flow ( cfs)

60

40

20

0
1 Fri 3AM 6AM
Jan 1993 Time
 Alameda Unit Hydrograph
• CONCEPT:
• Developed as a modification of the Snyder method for the
Alameda County Flood Control District.
• Data Needs
• Drainage Area (impervious and pervious)
• Stream Length
• Centroid Length
• Stream Slope
• Basin ‘n’
• Rainfall
• Limitations
• Can over estimate peak runoff rate
• Not valid for storm durations over 24 hours
Alameda Unit Hydrograph Input Data
Alameda Unit Hydrograph Output Data

Node - ALAMEDA
[Max Flow = 113.9665]

Rainfall Total Flow

0
Hydrology Rates

10

20

30

100

80
Flow ( cfs)

60

40

20

0
1 Fri 3AM 6AM
Jan 1993 Time
 Time Area Unit Hydrograph
• CONCEPT:
• Developed by Watkins (1963) using separate hydrographs from
pervious and impervious areas along with the time of
concentration.

• Data Needs
• Drainage Area (impervious and pervious)
• Time of Concentration
• Rainfall

• Limitations
• Can over estimate peak runoff rate
• Not valid for storm durations over 24 hours
Time – Area Method
Time Area Unit Hydrograph Input Data
Time Area Unit Hydrograph Output Data

Node - TIMEAREA
[Max Flow = 194.1467]

Rainfall Total Flow

0
Hydrology Rates

10

20

30
200

150
Flow ( cfs)

100

50

0
1 Fri 3AM 6AM
Jan 1993 Time
Flow Comparison

Name Max Flow cfs

KINEMATIC 254
RUNOFF 223
NASH 198
SCS-DEPTH 196
TIMEAREA 194
SCS 170
TRIANGULAR 164
SNYDER 148
LAURENSON 141
SBUH 126
ALAMEDA 114
Rational Method 92
 2D Direct Rainfall
• CONCEPT:
• Allows rainfall onto the 2D Grid and can be applied to polygon
areas (1 or multiple polygons)

• Data Needs
• Land surface grid (DTM) needed
• Rainfall applied grid cells
• Initial & continuing losses
• Surface roughness
• Rainfall

• Limitations
• Only one type of infiltration (initial and continuing)
2D Direct Rainfall
 Questions

Thank you!

Bob.Carr @xpsoftware.com

XP Software, Inc.
1-888-554-5022
www.xpsoftware.com
sales@xpsoftware.com