Estimation of Peak Flow

NRCS (SCS) Curve Number Method

SCS Curve Number Method for

Effective rainfall (Runoff)

The basic equation for computing the

depth of effective or direct runoff from a
storm.

(P Ia )
Pe
P Ia S
2

where
Q = runoff (cm)
P = rainfall (cm)
Ia = initial abstraction (cm.)
S = potential maximum retention after runoff

SCS Curve Number Method - Initial

Abstraction, Ia

Ia is all losses before

runoff begins. It includes
water retained in surface
depressions, water
intercepted by vegetation,
evaporation, and
infiltration. Ia is highly
variable but generally is
correlated with soil and
cover parameters.

I a 0.2 S
( P 0 .2 S ) 2
Pe
P 0 .8 S

SCS Curve Number Method for

Effective rainfall (Runoff)

Plotting the data for P and Pe

from many watersheds, the SCS
curves are obtained.

S CN 25.4

To standardize these curves, a

dimensionless curve number CN
is defined such that
0 CN 100.
For impervious and water
surfaces CN = 100.
For natural surfaces CN < 100

The curve
number CN and S
are related by
2540
(cm)

25400
254
S
CN

(mm)

S 1000 10

CN

(in)

SCS Curve Number Method for

Effective rainfall (Runoff)

Curve numbers have been tabulated by the Soil

Conservation Service on the basis of soil type and
land use and presented in Chow et al., (1988)

Four
soil
grou
ps
defin

Group A: Deep
sand, deep loess,
aggregated silts

Group B:
Shallow loess,
sandy loam

Group C: Clay
loam, shallow
sandy loam, soils
low in organic
content, and
soils usually high
in clay

Group D: Soils
that swell
significantly
when wet, heavy
plastic clays, and
certain saline
soils

agricultural, suburban, and

urban land uses (antecedent moisture
Land Use Description
Hydrologic Soil Group
condition II, Ia = 0.2S)
Cultivated land: Without conservation treatment
With conservation treatment
Pasture or range land: Poor condition
Good condition
Meadow: good condition
Wood or forest land: Thin stand, poor cover, no mulch
Good cover
Open spaces, lawns, parks, golf courses, cemeteries, etc.
Good condition: grass cover on 75% or more or the area
Fair condition: grass cover on 50% to 75% of the area
Commercial and business areas (85% impervious)
Industrial districts (72% impervious)
Residential
Average lot size
Average%impervious
1/8 acre or less
65
acre
38
1/3 acre
30
acre
25
1 acre
20
Paved parking lots, roofs, driveways, etc.
Streets and roads:
Paved with curbs and storm sewers

A
72
62
68
39
30
45
25

39
49
89
81

77
61
57
54
51
98

98

B
81
71
79
61
58
66
55

61
69
92
88

85
75
72
70
68
98

98

C
88
78
86
74
71
77
70

74
79
94
91

90
83
81
80
79
98

98

D
91
81
89
80
78
83
77
80
84
95
93

92
87
86
85
84
98
98

SCS Curve Number Method for

Effective rainfall (Runoff)

The curve numbers used in the above

apply for normal antecedent moisture
(AMC II).

For dry conditions (AMC I) or wet conditions (AMC

III), equivalent curve numbers can be computed by

4.2CN ( II )
CN
(
I
)

10 0.058CN ( II )

equation
conditions

(dry condition)

CN ( III )

23CN ( II )
10 0.13CN ( II )

(wet condition)

SCS Peak Flow Estimation

Having obtained the

effective rainfall Pe, the
peak flow is estimated
by the equation

Q qu APe

Unit peak runoff rate is

estimated as K

qu C f .10

K C 0 C1 log 10 t c C 2 (log 10 t c ) 2

Adjusted equation
for ponding in
drainage basin

Qa Fp Q

Symbols Defined
Q = peak flow (m3/s)
qu = unit peak runoff rate (m3/s/km2/mm)
A = catchment area (km2)
Pe= depth of effective rainfall (mm)
tc = the time of concentration (hr)
C0, C1, and C2 are coefficients read from tables based on
Coefficients, listed in Tables, these are a function of the
24 hour rainfall distribution type and Ia/P.

Qa = adjusted peak flow (m3/s)

Fp = adjustment factor

Example

Find: The 10-year peak flow using the SCS peak flow
method.

Given: The following physical and hydrologic

conditions.
3.3 sq km of fair condition open space and 2.8 sq km of
large lot residential
Negligible pond and swamp land
Hydrologic soil type C
Average antecedent moisture conditions
Time of concentration is 0.8 hr
24-hour, type II rainfall distribution, 10-year rainfall of 150
mm

Step 1: Calculate the composite curve number

using Table and Equation
CN = (CNx Ax)/A = [3.3(79) + 2.8(77)]/(3.3 + 2.8) = 78

Step 2: Calculate the retention, S, using Equation

S = 25.4(1000/CN - 10) = 25.4 [(1000/78) - 10] = 72
mm

Step 3: Calculate the depth of direct runoff

using Equation
Pe = (P-0.2S )2 / (P+0.8S ) = [150 - 0.2(72)]2/
[[150 + 0.8(72)] = 89 mm
Step 4: Determine Ia/P from Table
Ia/P = 0.10 (Ia= 0.2S)

Step 5: Determine coefficients from Table

C0 = 2.55323 ,C1 = -0.61512 C2 = -0.16403
Step 6: Calculate unit peak flow using Equation
qu = (0.000431) (10C0+C1log tc + C2 (log tc )2 )
qu=(0.000431)(10[ 2.55323+(0.61512) log (0.8)+(0.16403) [log (0.8)] 2])
qu = 0.176 m3/s/km2/mm
Step 7: Calculate peak flow using Equation
q
= qu Ak Pe = (0.176)(3.3 + 2.8)(89) = 96
p
m3/s