Attachment A

United States
Department of Part 630 Hydrology
National Engineering Handbook
Agriculture

Natural
Resources
Conservation
Service

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs

Rain clouds
Cloud formation

Precipitation

n
iratio
Evaporation
n

ean
tio

Transp
s o il
ta

from oc
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ve

fr o m
m

n
fro

ti o

s
am
n

ir a
ti o

tr e
sp
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an

ms
va

Tr

Surfa E
ce ru
fr o

noff

Infiltration

Soil
Percolation

Rock Ocean
Ground water
Deep percolation

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Draft July 2008

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all

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(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Acknowledgments

Chapter 21, Design Hydrographs, was originally prepared by Victor Mock-

us (retired). A subsequent revision in 1965 was edited by Vincent McKeev-
er (retired), William Owen (retired), and Robert Rallison, (re­tired) and
was reprinted in 1972 with minor modifications. This version was prepared
by Edward J. Schmit (retired) and Wiley Scott, hydraulic engineer, Natu-
ral Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Nashville, TN, under the guid-
ance of Donald E. Woodward (retired) and finalized under the guidance
of Claudia C. Hoeft, national hydraulic engineer, Washington, DC.

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21–i

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

21–ii (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs

Contents 630.2100 Introduction 21–1

630.2101 Determining runoff volumes for design of earth dams and 21–1
associated spillways
(a) Runoff curve number procedure.................................................................21–1
(b) Runoff volume maps procedure..................................................................21–3

630.2102 Principal spillway hydrographs 21–11

(a) Rainfall and runoff volume considerations..............................................21–11
(b) Development of the 1-day/10-day hydrograph.........................................21–13

630.2103 Auxiliary spillway and freeboard hydrographs 21–15

(a) Rainfall and runoff volume considerations..............................................21–15
(b) Development of the stability design hydrograph (SDH) .......................21–16
and the freeboard hydrograph (FBH)

630.2104 References 21–17

Appendix 21–A Example—Development of the Principal Spillway Hydrograph

(PSH)

Appendix 21–B Example—Development of the Design Hydrograph:

Freeboard Hydrograph (FBH)

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21–iii

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Tables Table 21–1 National Weather Service references for precipitation data 21–2

Table 21–2 PSH volume adjustment: 10-day runoff curve number adjustment 21–11

Table 21–3 PSH volume adjustment: minimum areal adjustment ratios for 21–11

precipitation

Table 21–4 Channel loss factors for reduction of direct runoff 21–12

Table 21–5 Minimum QRF for PSH derived from rainfall 21–13

Table 21–6 Arrangement of half–day increments of principal spill mass curve 21–14

(PSMC) for curve C in figure 21–7

Table 21A–1 Step-by-step development of PSMC 21A–4

Table 21A–2 Development of the unit hydrograph 21A–8

Table 21A–3 Unit Hydrograph on 1 hour time increments 21A–8

Table 21A–4 Ten-day composite principal spillway flood hydrograph 21A–11

Table 21B–1 Distribution of rainfall into time increments for the 5-point 21B–1
rainfall distribution

Table 21B–2 Five-point rainfall distribution for 6-hour increments 21B–2

Table 21B–3 Rainfall distribution for ∆D = 1 hour time increments 21B–2

Table 21B–4 Incremental runoff 21B–4

Table 21B–5 Unit hydrograph 21B–6

Table 21B–6 Unit hydrograph on ∆D =1-hour time increments 21B–7

Table 21B–7 Design hydrograph—FBH storm event 21B–9

21–iv (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

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Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Figures Figure 21–1 Inflow design hydrograph with baseflow and QRF 21–5

Figure 21–2 100-year, 10-day runoff volume (inches) for developing the 21–6
PSH (Northeast States)

Figure 21–3 Ratios of volumes of runoff (Q1/Q10) for developing the PSH (Northeast States) 21–7

Figure 21–4 Quick return flow (csm) for developing the PSH (Northeast States) 21–8

Figure 21–5 100-year, 10-day runoff volume (inches) for developing the PSH 21–9
(Northwest States)

Figure 21–6 Ratios of volumes of runoff (Q1/Q10) for developing the PSH 21–10
(Northwest States)

Figure 21–7 PSMC of runoff in various arrangements 21–13

Figure 21–8 Areal adjustment for SDH and FBH design storms 21–15

Figure 21–9 Dimensionless design storm distribution for the SDH and FBH design storms 21–16

Figure 21A–1 PSMC of runoff 21A–6

Figure 21A–2 Plotted unit hydrograph 21A–9

Figure 21A–3 Principal spillway hydrograph 21A–13

Figure 21B–1 Plotted rainfall distribution 21B–3

Figure 21B–2 Plotted freeboard storm mass curve 21B–5

Figure 21B–3 Plot of unit hydrograph 21B–8

Figure 21B–4 Plot of FBH 21B–10

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21–v

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

21–vi (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs

630.2100 Introduction 630.2101 Determining runoff

volumes for design of earth dams
Chapter 21 (NEH630.21) presents a systematic ap- and associated spillways
proach to the development of hydrographs used to
design earth dams that provide temporary storage for
flood prevention and temporary or permanent storage Any one of the following four methods to determine
for other uses. NEH630.21 is a companion document runoff volume is suitable for the design of principal
to Technical Release No. 60 (TR–60), Earth Dams and spillway capacity, retarding storage, auxiliary spillway
Reservoirs, which contains the NRCS minimum design crest, and determination of top of dam elevation:
criteria for earth dams. While NEH630.21 and TR–60 • runoff curve number procedure using rainfall
are very closely related, it is important that users un- data and watershed characteristics
derstand TR–60 contains the design requirements
while NEH630.21 describes technical methods for de- • runoff volume maps covering specific areas of
veloping design hydrographs. the United States
• regionalization and transposition of volume-du-
While the methodologies are based on data of actual ration-probability (VDP) analyses
storms and floods, they are not intended for reproduc-
ing hydrographs of historical floods. The general meth- • local streamflow data
odology for the development of flood hydrographs is
found in NEH630.16. Only the first two methods are described in the re-
mainder of this chapter. NEH630.18, Statistical
Also included in NEH630.21 are methods for modify- Methods, provides some details for the use of the last
ing design runoff to include effects of baseflow, chan- two methods.
nel losses, quick return flow (QRF) upstream releas-
es, and methods for developing rainfall distributions (a) Runoff curve number procedure
associated with design hydrograph development. The
SITES computer program may be used to develop de- The runoff curve number (CN) procedure uses certain
sign hydrographs for a particular project. climatic data and the characteristics of a watershed to
convert rainfall data to runoff volume.
An earth dam generally has two spillways, a principal
spillway and an auxiliary spillway, and perhaps a low (1) Rainfall data sources
flow outlet to meet downstream and instream needs. Rainfall data used in the determination of direct run-
The design of a safe dam requires that the spillways off may be obtained from the published sources listed
be sized appropriately. This is done by routing sever- in table 21–1. This table contains only a partial listing
al hydrographs through the spillways. Development of potential rainfall data sources available and does
of these design hydrographs takes into account storm not preclude the use of data sources, which may be re-
return period and duration, which varies depending quired by State or other local law, or the use of special
upon purpose, size, location and classification of the studies as appropriate.
dam and types of spillways.
(2) Runoff curve numbers
The runoff CN for the drainage area above a structure
site is determined and runoff is estimated as described
in NEH630.07 through NEH630.10. The CN is for the
antecedent runoff condition II (ARC II) unless a spe-
cial study shows that use of a different condition is
justified or local requirements specify otherwise. ARC
II applies to the 1-day storm used to develop design
hydrographs.

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21–1

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Table 21–1 National Weather Service references for precipitation data 1/ 2/

Durations to 1 day and return periods to 100 years

Technical Memorandum HYDRO–35. Durations 5 to 60 minutes for the Eastern and central States (1977)
Technical Paper 40. 48 contiguous States (1961) (Use for 37 contiguous States east of the 105th meridian)
Technical Paper 47. Alaska (1963)
NOAA Atlas 2. Precipitation Frequency Atlas of the United States (1973)
Vol. I, Montana Vol. II, Wyoming Vol. III, Colorado
Vol. V, Idaho Vol. IX, Washington Vol. X, Oregon
Vol. XI, California
NOAA Atlas 14. Precipitation Frequency Atlas for the United States
Vol. 1 (2006), version 4, Semiarid Southwest (Arizona, Southeast California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah)
Vol. 2 (2004), version 3, Ohio River Basin and surrounding States (Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois,
Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and
West Virginia)
Vol. 3 (2006), version 4, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin islands
Vol. 4 (2008), Hawaii
Durations from 2 to 10 days and return periods to 100 years
Technical Paper 49. 48 contiguous States (1965)
Technical Paper 52. Alaska (1965)
Probable maximum precipitation (PMP)
Hydrometeorological Report 36. California Pacific Drainage (1961)
Hydrometeorological Report 39. Hawaii (1963)
Hydrometeorological Report 43. Northwest States Pacific Drainage (1981)
Hydrometeorological Report 49. Colorado River and Great Basin Drainage (1977)
Hydrometeorological Report 51. United States East of the 105th meridian (1978)
Hydrometeorological Report 52. Application of probable maximum precipitation estimates, states east of the
105th meridian (1980)
Hydrometeorological Report 53. Seasonal variation of 10 square-mile probable maximum precipitation esti-
mates, states east of the 105th meridian (1980)
Hydrometeorological Report 54. Probable maximum precipitation and snowmelt criteria for southeast Alaska
(1963)
Hydrometeorological Report 55A. United States between the Continental Divide and the 103rd meridian (1988)
Technical Report 42. Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands (1961)
Technical Report 43. Hawaii (1962)
Technical Report 47. Alaska (1963)
1/ National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce
2/ This list is not all inclusive. Federal, State, Tribal, or other local laws may require the use of specific data sources other than
those listed here.

21–2 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

(3) Methods of modifying design runoff QRF is a contant rate of discharge which ex-
tends the falling or recession limb of the
• Baseflow—Baseflow is a stream discharge de-
hydrograph from the point where QRF
rived from ground water sources. It is some-
equals the PSH discharge to the end of the
times considered to include flows from reg-
hydrograph.
ulated lakes or reservoirs depending on the
situation. Baseflow fluctuates much less than If the drainage area above a structure site has
storm runoff. a climatic index (equation 21–1) greater than 1,
then QRF is added to the hydrograph of direct
• Channel losses—Channel transmission losses
runoff from rainfall (fig. 21–1a).
may be important in arid and karst areas where
a significant amount of streamflow is absorbed • Combinations of channel loss, quick return
by the porous streambank and streambed ma- flow—For large watersheds, the topography
terial. Channel losses represent a net loss from may be such that two climatic indices are need-
the channel system. Runoff volume may be re- ed. For example, where mountains are adjacent
duced to account for channel losses. to a semi-arid plain. In such simplified cases:
If the drainage area above a structure site has a – The design storm precipitation is determined
climatic index (equation 21–1) of less than 1, then for the watershed as a whole.
the direct runoff from a rainfall may be decreased
– The direct runoff is estimated separately for
to account for channel losses of influent streams.
the two parts by use of the appropriate CNs
• Climatic index, Ci—The climatic index is and then combined.
used to estimate channel losses and for esti-
– The channel loss reduction is based on the area
mating QRF. The climatic index is:
of the semiarid plain and its climatic index.
100Pa
Ci = (eq. 21–1) – The hydrograph or mass curve of direct run-
(T )
2

a off is constructed.
where:
– The QRF from the mountain area is added.
Ci = climatic index
Pa = average annual precipitation in inches • Upstream releases—Releases from upstream
Ta = average annual temperature in inches structures must be accounted for in the run-
off hydrograph, regardless of other additions
Precipitation and temperature data are avail-
or subtractions of low. Upstream release rates
able in Station Temperature and Precipitation
are determined from routings of applicable
(TAPS) and Wetland Temperature and
hydrographs through the upstream structures
Precipitation (WETS) tables to NRCS Users
and the reaches downstream from them.
of the electronic Field Office Technical Guide
(eFOTG) in the AgACIS module, or by con-
tacting the NRCS National Water and Climate
(b) Runoff volume maps procedure
Center in Portland, Oregon.
The runoff volume and rate maps (figs 21–2 through
• Quick return flow—QRF is the rate of dis- 21–6) are provided for areas of the United States
charge that persists for some period be- where measured runoff volumes vary significantly
yond that for which the 10-day principal spill- from those obtained by using the CN procedure for
way hydrograph (PSH) is derived. It includes converting rainfall to runoff. The mapped areas are of
baseflow and other flows that become a part of two general types:
the flood hydrograph such as:
• areas where runoff from either snowmelt, dor-
– rainfall that has infiltrated and reappeared mant season rainfall, or a combination of the
soon afterwards as surface flow two produce greater runoff volumes than grow-
ing season rainfall
– drainage from marshes and potholes
• deep snowpack areas of high mountain elevations
– snowmelt

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21–3

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

(1) Areas of mapped runoff volume QRF is in units of cubic feet per second per square
The 100-year, 10-day runoff volume maps (figs. 21–2 mile. It is converted to a discharge in cubic feet per
and 21–5) represent regionalized values derived from second by multiplying by the drainage area of the site
gaged streamflow data and supplemented with clima- in square miles. On the falling limb of the PSH, all dis-
tological data and local observations. These values charges less than the QRF are set equal to the QRF.
should be used for estimating floodwater detention The PSH may be extended at the QRF discharge be-
storage within the map area where local streamflow yond 10 days before routing the hydrograph through
data are not adequate. Areal reduction should not the reservoir (fig. 21–1b).
be made on the 10-day runoff volumes shown in the
maps. These amounts were derived from stream gage (2) Deep snowpack areas
data, so baseflow and channel loss are automatically Flood volume estimates from the deep snowpack ar-
included in the map values. eas may be calculated from local streamflow data or
by regionalization and transposition of streamflow
QRF in this procedure is used as the rate of discharge data. A standard procedure for making a regional
expected to persist beyond the flood period described analysis of volume of runoff for various durations
under the 10-day PSH. When using the Runoff Volume and frequencies has not been developed at this time.
Maps procedure, the QRF rate (fig. 21–4) is an exten- Experience indicates that acceptable estimates can
sion to the PSH before routing it through the reservoir be made using multiple regression techniques. If wa-
(fig 21–1). The rates of discharge given in figure 21–4 tersheds can be selected that are reasonably homo-
were derived by averaging the accumulated depths of geneous with regard to seasonal precipitation, range
runoff between the 15th and 30th day on VDP accumu- of elevation, aspect, cover, geology, soils, and other
lation graphs. They were obtained from the same VDP characteristics, estimating equations can be developed
station data from which the 100-year, 10-day runoff with a minimum number of interdependent variables.
volumes in figure 21–2 were obtained.

21–4 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Figure 21–1 Inflow design hydrograph with baseflow and QRF

(a) (b)

Principal
spillway
RO RO
hydrographs
from RF

QRF QRF
BF BF BF

(c) (d)

Stability
design RO RO
hydrograph from RF
and
freeboard
hydrographs BF BF BF

Legend
RO Runoff
RF Rainfall
BF Baseflow
QRF Quick return flow

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21–5

 Figure 21–2 100-year, 10-day runoff volume (inches) for developing the PSH (Northeast States)

21–6
Chapter 21

100-year 10-day runoff volumes (inches)

for developing the principal spillway hydrograph

10.5

Area 1
Area 2
Area 1
4.0 10.5
4.5 5.0 6.0
7.0 10.5
3.5 7.5
8.0 8.5 Area 2 9.0
Area 3 10.0 8.0
8.5
9.0 7.0
8.0 9.0
7.5 10.0

a2
a3
3.0

Are
8.0 6.0

Are
4.0 10.0 5.0
4.0
9.0
5.0
4.0
Design Hydrographs

3.0
3.5 6.0
4.0 4.5 5.0
5.0 6.0
4.5

6.0

5.0
5.0

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

7.0
8.0

4.5
5.0
Ratios for 50- and 25 year 8.0
10-day runoff volumes
5.0

To obtain: Multiply map values by:

5.0
6.0
Part 630

7.0
8.0

9.0

50-year 10-day runoff Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 10.0

9.0
10.0
25-year 10-day runoff 0.85 0.90 0.92
0.70 0.80 0.90

Source:
United States Geological Survey streamflow data. Map prepared using 0 200 400 600 MI
automated map construction. National Cartography and Geospatial
Center. Fort Worth, Texas. 1997
National Engineering Handbook
Attachment A
 Figure 21–3 Ratios of volumes of runoff (Q1/Q10) for developing the PSH (Northeast States)
Chapter 21

Ratios of volumes of runoff (Q1/Q10)

for developing the principal spillway hydrograph

rior
upe
L. S

L.
Hu
ro

n
n
rio
nta
L. O

L. Michiga
Design Hydrographs

ie
Er
L.

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

Legend
Q1 – 1-day volume runoff
Q10 – 10-day volume runoff
Part 630

Source:
United States Geological Survey streamflow data. Map prepared using 0 200 400 600 MI
automated map construction. National Cartography and Geospatial
Center. Fort Worth, Texas. 1997
National Engineering Handbook
Attachment A

21–7
 Figure 21–4 Quick return flow (csm) for developing the PSH (Northeast States)

21–8
Chapter 21

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

Quick-return flow (csm)
for developing the principal spillway hydrograph
12
11
3
0 1 2
4
5 10
9.5 11
perior 12 10
Su
L. 8 9
7
5 9.5

L.
rio 10 9
nta 8

Hu
. O 12 10
L 6

ro
4

n
5 5 5.5
5.5 11
4 6
L. Erie
7
6

L. Michigan
5 9
0 4 8 6.5
1
Design Hydrographs

2
4.5
3 4 3
3 6
4 5

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

4
5
Note:

4 For Wisconsin, Michigan, and eastern Iowa

use csm values shown in circles 6 7 65 4
7.5
7.0 7.5
Part 630

0 200 400 600 Mi

Source:
United States Geological Survey streamflow data. Map prepared using
automated map construction. National Cartography and
Center. Fort Worth, Texas. 1997 Revised February 1997
National Engineering Handbook
Attachment A
 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Figure 21–5 100-year, 10-day runoff volume (inches) for developing the PSH (Northwest States)

100-year, 10-day runoff (inches)

for developing the principal spillway hydrograph

Source:
U.S. Geological Survey streamflow data.
Map prepared using automated map construction. National
Cartography and Geospatial Center. Fort Worth, Texas. 1995

Note:
Caution should be used in interpolating this map
in mountainous area. Lines have been smoothed in
mountianous areas of the Western States.

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21–9

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Figure 21–6 Ratios of volumes of runoff (Q1/Q10) for developing the PSH (Northwest States)

Ratios of volumes of runoff (Q1/Q10)

for developing the principal spillway hydrograph
(Northwest States)

Source:
United State Geological Survey streamflow date.
Map prepared using automated map construction. National
Cartography and Geospatial Center. Fort Worth, Texas. 1995

Note:
Caution should be used in interpolating this map
in mountainous area. Lines have been smoothed in
mountainous areas of the Western States.

21–10 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Table 21–2 PSH volume adjustment: 10-day runoff curve

number adjustment*
630.2102 Principal spillway
hydrographs
-------------------------Runoff curve numbers---------------------------
1 day 10 days 1 day 10 days 1 day 10 days
The principal spillway provides the outlet capacity and
storage required to meet the design objectives of the 100 100 80 65 60 41
structure. The principal spillway is sized to limit the 99 98 79 64 59 40
frequency of operation of the auxiliary spillway and 98 96 78 62 58 39
to set the crest elevation of the auxiliary spillway so
97 94 77 61 57 38
that it does not flow during the passage of the prin-
cipal spillway storm. TR–60 criteria requires that the 96 92 76 60 56 37
capacity of the principal spillway for flood retarding 95 90 75 58 55 36
structures be determined using the 10-day hydrograph; 94 88 74 57 54 35
while the principal spillway capacity for other struc-
93 86 73 56 53 34
tures are usually sized using the 1-day hydrograph.
92 84 72 54 52 33
(a) Rainfall and runoff volume consider- 91 82 71 53 51 33
ations 90 81 70 52 50 32
89 79 69 51 49 31
(1) 10-day runoff curve number
In design of the principal spillway capacity, if the 88 77 68 50 48 30
100-year frequency, 10-day duration point rainfall 87 76 67 49 47 29
for the structure site is 6 or more inches, the CN for 86 74 66 47 46 28
the 10-day storm is adjusted using table 21–2. If the 85 72 65 46 45 28
100-year frequency, 10-day duration rainfall is less than
6 inches, the CN for the 10-day storm is the same as 84 71 64 45 44 27
that for the 1-day storm. The 10-day CN is used only 83 69 63 44 43 26
with the total 10-day rainfall. 82 68 62 43 42 25
81 66 61 42 41 24
(2) Areal adjustment of rainfall amount
TR–60 identifies the design storm to be used in devel- * This table is used only if the 100-year frequency 10-day point
opment of the principal spillway design hydrograph. rainfall is 6 or more inches. If it is less, the 10-day curve
Values should be taken from the appropriate NWS pub- number is the same as that for the 1-day curve number.
lication, local designated data source, or special study.

If the drainage area above a proposed structure site is

10 square miles or less, no areal adjustment is made to
the storm volume. If the drainage area is more than 10 Table 21–3 PSH volume adjustment: minimum areal
adjustment ratios for precipitation
square miles, the area-point ratios in table 21–3 may be
used to reduce the rainfall volume. The table applies to Area --Area/point ratio-- Area --Area/point ratio--
all geographical locations serviced by the NRCS. The (mi2) 1 day 10 days (mi2) 1 day 10 days
ratios are based on the 1- and 10-day depth-area curves <10 1.000 1.000 45 0.951 0.976
of figure 10 in the U.S. Weather Bureau TP–49 (1965), 15 0.977 0.991 50 0.948 0.974
but are modified to give a ratio of 1 at 10 square miles. 20 0.969 0.987 60 0.944 0.972
25 0.965 0.983 70 0.940 0.970
30 0.961 0.981 80 0.937 0.969
35 0.957 0.979 90 0.935 0.977
40 0.954 0.977 100 0.932 0.966

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21–11

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

(3) Adjusting for channel losses (4) Adjusting for quick return flow
Channel losses can be determined from local data, but QRF can be determined from local data, but it must
losses must not be more than those determined by us- not be less than the steady rate determined using table
ing table 21–4. When adequate local data are not avail- 21–5. When adequate local data are not available, table
able, table 21–4 may be used. A special study may be 21–5 may be used.
required if channel losses appear to be significant even
though the climatic index is 1 or more, such as in karst (5) Adjusting for baseflow
areas. When a PSH is developed from rainfall, the baseflow
is added to the base of the entire hydrograph (fig.
21–1a). When the PSH is developed from runoff, all
hydrograph discharge values less than baseflow should
be increased to the baseflow value. The recession or
tail of the PSH may be controlled by QRF if this is
Table 21–4 Channel loss factors for reduction of direct higher than the baseflow (fig. 21–1b).
runoff

Drainage ------------------Climatic index (Ci)------------------------

area
(mi2) 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4
or less
1 or less 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
2 1.00 0.98 0.97 0.95 0.93 0.90 0.87
3 1.00 0.98 0.95 0.92 0.89 0.85 0.80
4 1.00 0.97 0.94 0.90 0.86 0.81 0.76
5 1.00 0.96 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.78 0.73
6 1.00 0.96 0.92 0.87 0.82 0.76 0.70
7 1.00 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.81 0.75 0.68
8 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.85 0.79 0.73 0.66
9 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.84 0.78 0.72 0.65
10 1.00 0.95 0.89 0.84 0.77 0.71 0.63
20 1.00 0.93 0.86 0.79 0.72 0.64 0.55
30 1.00 0.93 0.85 0.77 0.69 0.60 0.51
40 1.00 0.92 0.84 0.75 0.66 0.57 0.48
50 1.00 0.91 0.83 0.74 0.65 0.55 0.46
60 1.00 0.91 0.82 0.73 0.63 0.54 0.44
70 1.00 0.91 0.81 0.72 0.62 0.53 0.43
80 1.00 0.90 0.81 0.71 0.62 0.52 0.42
90 1.00 0.90 0.80 0.71 0.61 0.51 0.41
100 1.00 0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.40
150 1.00 0.89 0.78 0.68 0.57 0.47 0.37
200 1.00 0.89 0.77 0.66 0.56 0.45 0.35
250 1.00 0.88 0.77 0.65 0.54 0.44 0.33
300 1.00 0.88 0.76 0.64 0.53 0.42 0.32
350 1.00 0.87 0.75 0.64 0.52 0.41 0.31
400 1.00 0.87 0.75 0.63 0.51 0.41 0.30

21–12 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Table 21–5 Minimum QRF for PSH derived from rainfall (b) Development of the 1-day/10-day
hydrograph
Ci ------- QRF ------- Ci ------- QRF --------
PSHs are developed assuming a continuous 10-day pe-
in/d csm in/d csm
riod of runoff at the site for a given frequency. Choice
1.00 0 0 1.50 0.233 6.28 of the 10-day period is based on NRCS experience us-
1.02 0.011 0.30 1.52 0.239 6.42 ing streamflow records. If the runoff in the 10-day pe-
1.04 0.022 0.60 1.54 0.244 6.56 riod is arranged in order of decreasing values and then
accumulated to form a mass curve, it has the appear-
1.06 0.033 0.90 1.56 0.249 6.70
ance of curve A shown in figure 21–7. Such a curve is a
1.08 0.045 1.20 1.58 0.254 6.83 straight line on log paper with the equation:
1.10 0.056 1.50 1.60* 0.259 6.95 a
 D
1.12 0.067 1.80 1.65 0.270 7.26 QD = Q10  
 10  (eq. 21–2)
1.14 0.078 2.10 1.70 0.280 7.53

1.16 0.089 2.40 1.75 0.290 7.79 where:
1.18 0.100 2.70 1.80 0.299 8.05 QD = total runoff (in)
D = time (day)
1.20 0.112 3.00 1.85 0.309 8.30
Q10 = total runoff (in) at the end of 10 days
1.22 0.122 3.29 1.90 0.318 8.54 a = log (Q10/Q1)
1.24 0.133 3.58 1.95 0.326 8.77 Q1 = total runoff (in) at the end of 1 day
1.26 0.144 3.86 2.00 0.335 9.00
Using equation 21–2, a continuous mass curve can be
1.28 0.153 4.12 2.05 0.343 9.22
developed for the entire 10-day period, knowing only
1.30 0.163 4.37 2.10* 0.351 9.44 the 1- and 10-day runoff amounts.
1.32 0.171 4.61 2.20 0.367 9.86
1.34 0.180 4.83 2.30 0.382 10.26 Examination of such mass curves of runoff from
streamflow stations in many locations of the United
1.36 0.188 5.05 2.40 0.396 10.65*
States showed that exponent a varies from 0.1 to 0.5.
1.38 0.195 5.25 2.50 0.410 11.02
1.40 0.202 5.44 2.60 0.423 11.38
1.42 0.209 5.63 2.70 0.436 11.73
1.44 0.216 5.80 2.80 0.449 12.07 Figure 21–7 PSMC of runoff in various arrangements
1.46 0.222 5.97 2.90 0.461 12.41
1.48 0.228 6.13 3.00** 0.473 12.73 1.0

* Change in tabulation interval .8

** For Ci greater than 3, use: A
QRF (csm) = 9(Ci–1)0.5
Q at any time

.6
QRF (in/d) = 0.03719 [QRF (csm)]
Total Q

where: C
QRF = quick return flow B
csm = cubic feet per second per square mile .4
C = climatic index
in/d = inches per day
.2

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Time in days

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21–13

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Table 21–6 Arrangement of half–day increments of Arranging values obtained using equation 21–2 in in-
PSMC for curve C in figure 21–7 creasing order and then accumulating, results in curve
B as shown in figure 21–7.
Time (days) Increment
0.0 to 0.5 19th largest 1/2 day
Critically stacking the values obtained using equa-
0.5 to 1.0 17th largest 1/2 day
tion 21–2 and then accumulating, results in curve C as
1.0 to 1.5 15th largest 1/2 day shown in figure 21–7. Critically stacking involves plac-
1.5 to 2.0 13th largest 1/2 day ing the highest value at the middle time step, placing
2.0 to 2.5 11th largest 1/2 day second highest value after the middle time step, the
2.5 to 3.0 9th largest 1/2 day third highest value before the middle time step, and
3.0 to 3.5 7th largest 1/2 day alternating back and forth until all values are account-
3.5 to 4.0 5th largest 1/2 day ed for. Table 21–6 illustrates such a critical stacking
4.0 to 4.5 3rd largest 1/2 day for a time step of 0.5 days.
4.5 to 5.0 Largest 1/2 day
5.0 to 5.5 2nd largest 1/2 day Many modelers now use the SITES computer program
5.5 to 6.0 4th largest 1/2 day which automatically computes the mass curve based on
6.0 to 6.5 6th largest 1/2 day a 1-hour time step for watersheds having a time of con-
6.5 to 7.0 8th largest 1/2 day centration greater than 1 hour. Development of this mass
7.0 to 7.5 10th largest 1/2 day
curve is illustrated in the example problem in appen-
dix A. For watersheds with a time of concentration less
7.5 to 8.0 12th largest 1/2 day
than 1 hour, SITES uses a 5,000 point mass curve which
8.0 to 8.5 14th largest 1/2 day
equates to a time step of approximately 2.9 minutes.
8.5 to 9.0 16th largest 1/2 day
9.0 to 9.5 18th largest 1/2 day Development of the design hydrograph using the
9.5 to 10.0 20th largest 1/2 day principal spillway mass curve follows general proce-
dures outlined in NEH630.16, Hydrographs. Routing
the hydrograph through the structure is described in
NEH630.17, Flood Routing. Development of the com-
posite PSH using the PSMC and unit hydrograph is il-
lustrated in appendix A.

21–14 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

• Areas without an applicable NWS HMR for

630.2103 Auxiliary spillway and probable maximum precipitation (PMP)—
In areas without an applicable NWS HMR ref-
freeboard hydrographs erence for spatial rainfall distribution, mini-
mum areal adjustment ratios shown in figure
The auxiliary spillway provides the necessary capac- 21–8 may be used. Special care must be taken
ity to maintain the integrity of the earth dam when the in areas with special studies, since the rainfall
capacity of the principal spillway is exceeded. A series amounts within the study area may have al-
of storm durations is needed to evaluate the auxiliary ready been areally adjusted.
spillway system. According to TR–60 criteria, the du-
ration that produces the highest water surface must (3) Rainfall temporal distribution
be used to set the height of dam and the freeboard re- In areas without applicable NWS references, locally
quirements for the structure. designated guidance, or special studies for temporal
distribution, the dimensionless auxiliary and freeboard
Flows larger than those controlled by the principal storm distributions shown in figure 21–9 may be used.
spillway and retarding storage are safely conveyed
past an earth dam by an auxiliary spillway designed • 5-point rainfall distribution—Alternate-
using a stability design hydrograph (SDH). ly, the 24-hour storm distribution can be con-
structed by critically stacking incremental rain-
The auxiliary spillway’s minimum freeboard and in- fall amounts of successive 6-, 12-, and 24-hour
tegrity are determined using a freeboard hydrograph durations as described in HMR–52.
(FBH). The SDH and FBH are constructed by the same
procedures of hydrograph development shown in Step 1 From the appropriate data reference,
NEH630.16, Hydrographs, with the rainfall temporal obtain the 6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour
distribution developed using the methods described in PMP rainfall for the point location un-
this section. der consideration.
Step 2 Distribute the rainfall into four 6-hour
(a) Rainfall and runoff volume consider- increments as follows:
ations
(a) First 6-hour block—Half of the
(1) Precipitation amounts for stability de- difference between the 12-hour and
sign hydrographs (SDHs) and freeboard the 24-hour PMP.
hydrographs (FBHs)
Typically, a storm duration greater than or equal to the
time of concentration (Tc) for the watershed should
be used for the SDH and FBH. Values should be taken
from the appropriate NWS publication, local designat-
ed data source, or special study. Figure 21–8 Areal adjustment for SDH and FBH design
storms
(2) Areal adjustment of rainfall
• Areas with NWS Hydrometeorological
1.0
Area rainfall

Report (HMR) references for probable

Map rainfall

0.9 Pacific coasta

maximum precipitation (PMP)­—If the drain- Humid l climate
and su
age area above a structure site is 10 square 0.8 bhumid
climate
Arid
miles or less, the areal rainfall is taken from the 0.7 and
sem
appropriate HMR source. If the area is more iarid
Ratio:

0.6 clim
than 10 square miles, but not over 100 square ate
miles, the areal rainfall is obtained by using an 0.5
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 60 70 80 90 100
adjustment factor as described in the applica- Areal precipation adjustments for
ble HMR. drainage areas 10 to 100 mi2

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21–15

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

(b) Second 6-hour block—6-hour (4) Runoff CNs

PMP The runoff CN and runoff volume for the drainage area
above a structure site may be determined using any
(c) Third 6-hour block—Difference
of the methods described in NEH630.10. Unless other-
between the 12-hour and 6-hour
wise specified by criteria, the CN should be for an ARC
PMP
II. This CN applies throughout the design storm, re-
(d) Fourth 6-hour block—Half of the gardless of storm duration.
difference between the 12-hour
and 24-hour PMP (5) Adjusting for channel losses
Runoff volumes and discharges for the SDH and FBH
Step 3 Divide each of the rainfalls in the four
are typically so large that channel losses are insignifi-
blocks by the 24-hour PMP rainfall to
cant in comparison and no reduction for channel loss-
obtain the fractions for the 5-point dis-
es is taken in the development of the SDH and FBH.
tribution.
Step 4 Accumulate the fractions at the 6-hour (6) Adjusting for QRF
intervals to obtain the 24-hour distri- QRF can be determined from local data, but it must
bution. not be less than the steady rate determined using table
21–5. When adequate local data are not available, table
Step 5 Development of a 5-point rainfall dis-
21–5 may be used.
tribution is illustrated in appendix B.
(7) Baseflow
When a SDH or FBH is developed from rainfall, the
baseflow is added to the base of the entire hydrograph
(fig. 21–1c). When the SDH or FBH is developed from
runoff, all hydrograph discharge values less than
baseflow should be increased to the baseflow value
(fig. 21–1d). The recession or tail of the SDH or FBH
may be controlled by QRF if this is higher than the
baseflow (fig. 21–1d).
Figure 21–9 Dimensionless design storm distribution for
the SDH and FBH design storms
(b) Development of the stability design
1
hydrograph (SDH) and the freeboard
0.95 hydrograph (FBH)
0.9
0.85 Using the runoff volumes and rainfall distribution spe-
0.8 cific to the design event, the modeler develops an in-
0.75
0.7
cremental mass curve of runoff and design hydrograph
0.65 following the procedures outlined in NEH630.16. The
step-by-step procedure for development of the incre-
Accumulation

0.6
0.55 mental mass curve of runoff and design hydrograph
0.5 for a freeboard hydrograph storm is illustrated in
0.45 appendix B.
0.4
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Duration

21–16 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

630.2104 References (NOAA). Atlas 14 precipitation frequency atlas
for the United States:
Volume 1, version 4, Semi-arid States (Arizona,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Southeast California, Nevada, New Mexico, and
(NOAA). 1973. Atlas 2. Precipitation Atlas of the Utah) (2006)
Western United States: Volume 2, version 3, Ohio River Basin and sur-
Volume I Montana rounding States (Delaware, District of Columbia,
Volume II Wyoming Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North
Volume V Idaho Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina,
Volume IX Washington Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia) (2006)
Volume X Oregon Volume 3, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Volume XI California (2006)
Volume 4, Hawaii (2008)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). 1977. Probable maximum precipi- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conser­vation
tation, Colorado and Great Basin Drainages. Service. 1985. Hydrology, National Engineering
Hydrometeorological Report No. 49, 161 pp. Handbook, Part 630:
Chapter 7, Hydrologic Soil Groups (1972)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Chapter 8, Land Use and Treatment Classes
(NOAA). 1978. Probable maximum precipitation Groups (2002)
estimates, United States East of the 105th Merid­ Chapter 9, Hydrologic Soil-Cover
ian. Hydrometeorological Report No. 51, 87 pp. Complexes (2004)
Chapter 10, Estimation of Direct Runoff
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from Storm (2004)
(NOAA). 1980. Seasonal variation of 10-square­ Chapter 16, Hydrographs (1972)
mile probable maximum precipitation estimates, Chapter 17, Flood Routing (1972)
United States East of the 105th Meridian. Hy­ Chapter 18, Statistics (2001
drometeorological Report No. 53, 89 pp.
U.S. Geological Survey, miscellaneous publications
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and streamflow records.
(NOAA). 1982. Application of probable maximum
precipitation estimates, United States East of the U.S. Weather Bureau. 1961a. Generalized estimates of
105th Meridian. Hydrometeorological Report No. probable maximum precipitation and rainfall-fre-
52, 168 pp. quency data for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands
Technical Paper No. 42, 94 pp.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). 1983. Probable maximum precipita- U.S. Weather Bureau. 1961b. Rainfall fre­quency atlas of
tion and snowmelt criteria for southeast Alaska. the United States. Technical Paper No. 40, 115 pp.
Hydrometeorological Report No. 54, 115 pp. For states east of the Rockies (105th meridian).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Weather Bureau. 1963. Probable maxi­mum precip-
(NOAA). 1988. Probable maximum precipitation, itation, Alaska. Technical Paper No. 47, 69 pp.
United States, between the Continental Divide
and 103rd Meridian. Hydrometeorological Report U.S. Weather Bureau. 1963. Probable maxi­
No. 55A, 245 pp. mum precipitation in the Hawaiian Islands.
Hydrometeorological Report No. 39, 98 pp.

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21–17

 Attachment A

Chapter 21 Design Hydrographs Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

U.S. Weather Bureau. 1964. Two- to ten-day precipi-

tation for return periods of 2 to 100 years in
the contiguous United States. Technical Paper
No. 49, 29 pp. (Use SCS WNTC Tech. Note Hy­
drology-PO–6, rev. 1973, for states covered by
NOAA Altas 2.)

U.S. Weather Bureau. 1965. Two- to ten-day precipi-

tation for return periods of 2 to 100 years in
Alaska. Technical Paper No. 53, 30 pp.

U.S. Weather Bureau. 1981. Probable maxi­mum precip-

itation, Northwest States. Hydrometeorological
Report No. 43, 228 pp.

21–18 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example—Development of the

Principal Spillway Hydrograph (PSH)

The principal spillway hydrograph (PSH) is one of the Step 2 Determine the curve number for the 10-day
required design hydrographs needed to check that a precipitation.
dam’s design meets NRCS design criteria. This exam-
ple problem illustrates the development of the mass Since the 100-year frequency 10-day precipitation
curve, unit hydrograph and the final spillway design amount is greater than 6 inches, table 21–3 is used to
hydrograph for the principal spillway design storm determine the 10-day curve number.
event for a dam on a watershed with the following
characteristics. For CN1 day = 80, from table 21–3, the CN10 day = 65

This example illustrates the methodology for See the footnote for the table to determine when table
hydrograph development as used in the SITES com- 21–3 applies.
puter program which varies only slightly from the
hydrograph development methodology illustrated in Step 3 Estimate the direct runoff for 1 and 10 days.
National Engineering Handbook, Part 630, Chapter 16,
Hydrographs (NEH630.16). Use the runoff equation or use NEH630.10, appendix
10A to determine the direct runoff for the 1-day and
Watershed characteristics: 10-day events.
2
Drainage area, DA = 15.0 mi 1-day runoff:
Time of concentration, Tc = 7.1 h 2
  1000 
Average annual precipitation, Pa = 22.8 in P1day − 0.2 ×  − 10 
  CN1 − day  
Average annual temperature, Ta = 61.5° F Q1 − day =
  1000 
Runoff curve number, CN = 80 P1day + 0.8 ×  − 10 
  CN1 − day  
100-year, 1-day precipitation, P100,1-day = 6.8 in 2
  1000 
100-year, 10-day precipitation, P100,1-day = 11.0 in 6.64 − 0.2 ×  80 − 10 
Structure hazard classification: High = 
  1000 
6.64 + 0.8 ×  80 − 10 
Per the criteria for a high hazard dam found in Earth  
Dams and Reservoirs (TR–60), the principal spillway = 4.36 in
design storm for this structure is the 100-year storm.

PART A: Development of the principal

spillway mass curve

Step 1 Determine the adjusted areal rainfall.

From table 21–2, adjustment factors for a drainage

area of 15.0 square miles are 0.977 for the 1-day precip-
itation and 0.991 for the 10-day precipitation.

Adjusted rainfalls are:

P100,1-day adjusted = 0.977 ( 6.8 )
P100,10-day adjusted = 0.991 (11.0 )
= 6.64 in
= 10.90 in

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

10-day runoff: Step 6: Determine the mass curve of runoff.

2
  1000  Equation 21–2 gives the distribution for developing the
P10 day − 0.2 ×  − 10 
  CN10 − day   mass curve. The equation is
Q10 − day =
  1000   D
a

P10 day + 0.88 ×  − 10  QD = Q10 − day net  

  CN10 − day    10 

2
  1000  where:
10.9 − 0.2 ×  65 − 10  QD = total runoff at time D
= 
D = time in days
  1000 
10.9 + 0.8 ×  65 − 10  Q10-day-net = net runoff at the end of 10 days = 4.76
  inches
= 6.35 in Q1-day-net = net runoff at end of 1 day = 3.27 inches

a = log (Q10-day net/Q1-day net)
Step 4: Compute the climatic index. a = log (4.76/3.27) = 0.1631

Using the given data and equation 21–1, determine Ci. Substituting gives:
0.1631
100 × Pa  D
Ci = QD = 4.76  
( Ta )2  10 

100 × 22.8
= Step 7: Calculate the mass curve.
( 61.5 )2
= 0.603 A spreadsheet should be used to calculate the mass
curve as the curve may then be quickly and easily plot-
Because the Ci is less than one the channel loss may ted. The mass curve is calculated as follows:
be used to reduce direct runoff.
• The equation from step 6 above is used to cal-
Step 5: Estimate the net runoff. culate the mass curve. The curve is tabulated
on 1-hour (0.0417 days) time increments (col-
The net runoff is the direct runoff multiplied by the umn (a), labeled Time) and shown in column
channel loss reduction factor determined from table (b), labeled QD in table 21A–1.
21–4. Note: SITES uses a 1-hour time increment for
watersheds with Tc > 1 hour. Therefore, the
Enter table 21–4 with the drainage area of 15.0 square 1-hour time increment was chosen here for il-
miles and the Ci of 0.603 and by interpolation find a re- lustration purposes.
duction factor of 0.75.
• Incremental volumes are tabulated in column
Multiply the runoff volumes by the channel loss reduc- (c), labeled Incremental Volume in table 21A–1.
tion factor to get the net runoff volumes which will be • Columns (d), labeled Rank, and (e), labeled
used for the rest of the example. Incremental Volume arranged Largest to
Smallest, show the computed Incremental
Q1 − day net = Q1 − day × Reduction Factor Volume from column (c) sorted in value from
= 4.36 × 0.75 highest to lowest and ranked accordingly.

= 3.27 in • Column (g), labeled Increment Arrangement,

column (h), labeled Time, and column (i), la-
Q1 − day net = Q1 − day × Reduction Factor beled Incremental Volumes Rearranged show
= 6.35 × 0.75 the rearrangement process for the mass curve.
In this process, the largest incremental volume
= 4.76 in
21A–2 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)
 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

is placed at the middle time interval of the mass

curve. As illustrated here, the largest incre-
mental volume of 1.947 inches is placed at the
time interval from hour 119 to hour 120. The
next largest incremental volume, 0.2330 inch-
es, is place at time interval from hour 120 to
hour 121. The next largest incremental volume,
0.1490 inches, is placed at hour 118 to 119; the
next largest, 0.1119 inches, at hour 121 to 122,
the next largest, 0.0905 inches, at hour 117 to
118, and so on, until all incremental volumes
have been used.
• The incremental volumes are reaccumulated
in to develop the final mass curve. Shown in
column (j), labeled Principal Spillway Mass
Curve, in table 21A–1.
• If desired, a dimensionless mass curve can be
tabulated by dividing each of the values in col-
umn (j) by the total net runoff volume as shown
in column (k), labeled Dimensionless PSM, in
table 21A–1.

The 10-day dimensionless PSMC is plotted in figure

21A–1. Because accumulating the principal spillway
mass curve for the full 10-days requires 240 points.
Table 21A–1 does not show all 240 points. Instead com-
putations for the first half day, middle day and last half
day are shown. The rows with stars indicate those time
increments that are not shown.

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21A–3

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Table 21A–1 Step-by-step development of PSMC

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k)
Time (days) QD (inches) Incremental Rank Incremental Increment Time Incremental PSMC Dimensionless
volume volume arranged arrangement (hours) volumes PSMC
(inches) largest to rearranged
smallest

0.0000 0.0000         0   0.0000 0.0000

0.0417 1.9476 1.9476 1 1.9476 239th largest 1 0.0033 0.0033 0.0007
0.0833 2.1806 0.2330 2 0.2330 237th largest 2 0.0033 0.0065 0.0014
0.1250 2.3296 0.1490 3 0.1490 235th largest 3 0.0033 0.0098 0.0021
0.1667 2.4415 0.1119 4 0.1119 233rd largest 4 0.0033 0.0131 0.0028
0.2083 2.5320 0.0905 5 0.0905 231st largest 5 0.0033 0.0165 0.0035
0.2500 2.6084 0.0764 6 0.0764 229th largest 6 0.0034 0.0199 0.0042
0.2917 2.6748 0.0664 7 0.0664 227th largest 7 0.0034 0.0233 0.0049
0.3333 2.7337 0.0589 8 0.0589 225th largest 8 0.0034 0.0267 0.0056
0.3750 2.7867 0.0530 9 0.0530 223rd largest 9 0.0034 0.0301 0.0063
0.4167 2.8350 0.0483 10 0.0483 221st largest 10 0.0035 0.0336 0.0071
0.4583 2.8794 0.0444 11 0.0444 219th largest 11 0.0035 0.0371 0.0078
0.5000 2.9205 0.0411 12 0.0411 217th largest 12 0.0035 0.0406 0.0085
********************
4.5000 4.1789 0.0063 108 0.0063 25th largest 108 0.0218 0.7497 0.1575
4.5417 4.1852 0.0063 109 0.0063 23rd largest 109 0.0235 0.7732 0.1624
4.5833 4.1914 0.0062 110 0.0062 21st largest 110 0.0254 0.7986 0.1678
4.6250 4.1976 0.0062 111 0.0062 19th largest 111 0.0276 0.8262 0.1736
4.6667 4.2037 0.0061 112 0.0061 17th largest 112 0.0304 0.8566 0.1800
4.7083 4.2098 0.0061 113 0.0061 15th largest 113 0.0339 0.8905 0.1871
4.7500 4.2159 0.0061 114 0.0061 13th largest 114 0.0384 0.9288 0.1951
4.7917 4.2219 0.0060 115 0.0060 11th largest 115 0.0444 0.9732 0.2045
4.8333 4.2279 0.0060 116 0.0060 09th largest 116 0.0530 1.0263 0.2156
4.8750 4.2338 0.0059 117 0.0059 07th largest 117 0.0664 1.0926 0.2295
4.9167 4.2397 0.0059 118 0.0059 05th largest 118 0.0905 1.1831 0.2486
4.9583 4.2455 0.0058 119 0.0058 03rd largest 119 0.1490 1.3322 0.2799
5.0000 4.2513 0.0058 120 0.0058 largest 120 1.9476 3.2797 0.6890
5.0417 4.2571 0.0058 121 0.0058 02nd largest 121 0.2330 3.5128 0.7380
5.0833 4.2628 0.0057 122 0.0057 04th largest 122 0.1119 3.6247 0.7615
5.1250 4.2684 0.0057 123 0.0057 06th largest 123 0.0764 3.7011 0.7775
5.1667 4.2741 0.0056 124 0.0056 08th largest 124 0.0589 3.7599 0.7899
5.2083 4.2797 0.0056 125 0.0056 10th largest 125 0.0483 3.8082 0.8000

21A–4 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Table 21A–1 Step-by-step development of PSMC—continued

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k)

Time (days) QD (inches) Incremental Rank Incremental Increment Time Incremental PSMC Dimensionless
volume volume arranged arrangement (hours) volumes PSMC
(inches) largest to rearranged
smallest
5.2500 4.2853 0.0056 126 0.0056 12th largest 126 0.0411 3.8494 0.8087
5.2917 4.2908 0.0055 127 0.0055 14th largest 127 0.0360 3.8853 0.8162
5.3333 4.2963 0.0055 128 0.0055 16th largest 128 0.0320 3.9174 0.8230
5.3750 4.3017 0.0055 129 0.0055 18th largest 129 0.0289 3.9463 0.8291
5.4167 4.3071 0.0054 130 0.0054 20th largest 130 0.0264 3.9728 0.8346
5.4583 4.3125 0.0054 131 0.0054 22nd largest 131 0.0244 3.9971 0.8397
5.5000 4.3179 0.0054 132 0.0054 24th largest 132 0.0226 4.0197 0.8445
********************
9.5000 4.7204 0.0034 228 0.0034 216th largest 228 0.0035 4.7195 0.9915
9.5417 4.7237 0.0034 229 0.0034 218th largest 229 0.0035 4.7230 0.9922
9.5833 4.7271 0.0034 230 0.0034 220th largest 230 0.0035 4.7265 0.9930
9.6250 4.7304 0.0033 231 0.0033 222nd largest 231 0.0035 4.7300 0.9937
9.6667 4.7338 0.0033 232 0.0033 224th largest 232 0.0034 4.7334 0.9944
9.7083 4.7371 0.0033 233 0.0033 226th largest 233 0.0034 4.7368 0.9951
9.7500 4.7404 0.0033 234 0.0033 228th largest 234 0.0034 4.7402 0.9958
9.7917 4.7437 0.0033 235 0.0033 230th largest 235 0.0034 4.7436 0.9965
9.8333 4.7470 0.0033 236 0.0033 232nd largest 236 0.0033 4.7469 0.9972
9.8750 4.7502 0.0033 237 0.0033 234th largest 237 0.0033 4.7502 0.9979
9.9167 4.7535 0.0033 238 0.0033 236th largest 238 0.0033 4.7535 0.9986
9.9583 4.7568 0.0033 239 0.0033 238th largest 239 0.0033 4.7568 0.9993
10.0000 4.7600 0.0032 240 0.0032 240th largest 240 0.0032 4.7600 1.0000

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21A–5

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Figure 21A–1 PSMC of runoff

10-day Principal Spillway Mass Curve (PSMC)

1.0000
Dimensionless runoff volume

0.5000

0.0000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240
Time (h)

21A–6 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Part B: Development of the unit • Multiply the time ratios by the Tp computed in
hydrograph step 2 (use the rounded value), shown in col-
umn (c) of table 21A–2 (.1)(5)=.5 hour.
Step 1: Using equation 16A–13 in NEH630.16 appendix • Multiply the discharge ratios by the qp com-
16A, compute ∆D. puted in step 3, shown in column (d) of table
∆D = 0.133 Tc 21A–2 (.03)(1492)=43.56.
∆D = 0.133 (7.1 hr ) • As shown in table 21A-3, Unit hydrograph ∆D
∆D = 0.94 hr equals 1 hour time increments, re-tabulate the
unit hydrograph on ∆D equals 1 hour time in-
For convenience, round to ∆D = 1.0 hour crements (computed in step 1). Use simple lin-
ear interpolation for values which weren’t com-
Note: For watersheds with a Tc >1 hour, SITES de- puted directly in table 21A–2.
faults to a 1-hour time increment. For that reason, ∆D • If desired, plot the watershed dimensionless
was rounded to 1-hour. unit hydrograph as shown in figure 21A–2.

Step 2: Using equation 16A–7 from appendix 16A, Step 5: Check the volume under the unit hydrograph.
compute Tp.
• Sum the ordinates of the unit hydrograph (table
∆D 21A–3, column (b)) and multiply by ∆D.
Tp = +L
2
L = .06 Tc 9684.5 ft 3 /s × 1 h = 9684.5 ft 3 /s-h
∆D • Compute the volume under the unit hydrograph
Tp = + 0.6 Tc
2 using the drainage area and unit runoff volume,
1.0 h 1 inch.
= + 0.6 (7.1 h )
 1 ft 
2
= 4.75 h
15.0 mi 2 (1 in ) 
 12 in  ( )
(43560 ft 2 /a ) 640 a/mi 2

 1 hr   1 min 
 60 min   60 s  = 9680 ft /s-hr
3
To simplify computations, and in keeping with the
rounding of ∆D to 1 hour, round Tp to 5-hours for the
dimensionless unit hydrograph computations.
The difference between the two volumes in this
Step 3: Using equation 16A–6 from appendix 16A, com-
example is negligible at less than 0.5 percent.
pute the unit hydrograph (runoff volume equal
to 1 inch) peak discharge,qp.
AQ
q p = 484
Tp
 1
( )
= 484 15.0 mi 2  
 5
= 1452 ft 3 /s

Step 4: Using table 16–1, Ratios for dimensionless unit

hydrograph and mass curve, compute the unit
hydrograph.
• Tabulate the time and discharge ratios from
NEH630.16, table 16–1 as shown in columns (a)
and (b) of table 21A–3.

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21A–7

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Table 21A–2 Development of the unit hydrograph Table 21A–3 Unit Hydrograph on 1 hour time increments

(a) (b) (c) (d) (a) (b)

Time 3
Discharge ratios Time Time (hours) q (ft /s)
ratios q (ft3/s)
(q/qp):1/ (h) 0 0.0
(t/Tp)1/

0.0 0.000 0 0 1 145.2

0.1 0.030 0.5 43.56 2 450.1

0.2 0.100 1 145.2 3 958.3

0.3 0.190 1.5 275.88 4 1350.4
0.4 0.310 2 450.12 5 1452.0
0.5 0.470 2.5 682.44 6 1350.4
0.6 0.660 3 958.32 7 1132.6
0.7 0.820 3.5 1190.64
8 813.1
0.8 0.930 4 1350.36
9 566.3
0.9 0.990 4.5 1437.48
10 406.6
1.0 1.000 5 1452
11 300.6
1.1 0.990 5.5 1437.48
1.2 0.930 6 1350.36 12 213.4
1.3 0.860 6.5 1248.72 13 155.4
1.4 0.780 7 1132.56 14 111.8
1.5 0.680 7.5 987.36
15 79.9
1.6 0.560 8 813.12
1.7 0.460 8.5 667.92 16 58.1
1.8 0.390 9 566.28 17 42.1
1.9 0.330 9.5 479.16
18 30.5
2.0 0.280 10 406.56
19 21.8
2.2 0.207 11 300.564
2.4 0.147 12 213.444 20 16.0

2.6 0.107 13 155.364 21 12.5

2.8 0.077 14 111.804 22 9.0
3.0 0.055 15 79.86 23 5.8
3.2 0.040 16 58.08
24 2.9
3.4 0.029 17 42.108
3.6 0.021 18 30.492 Summation 9684.5
3.8 0.015 19 21.78
4.0 0.011 20 15.972
4.5 0.005 22.5 7.26
5.0 0.000 25 0

1/
From table 16–1, NEH630.16

21A–8 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Figure 21A–2 Plotted unit hydrograph

Unit hydrograph
qp=1452 ft3/s
1600

1400

1200
Discharge (ft3/s)

100

800

600

400

200

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Time (h)

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21A–9

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Part C Development of the principal Table 21A–4 shows the computation of the final run-
spillway hydrograph. off hydrograph which is the design hydrograph for the
principal spillway hydrograph storm event. This meth-
Utilizing the incremental runoff volume (table 21A–1, od differs slightly from that illustrated in NEH630.16.
column (i)) and the dimensionless unit hydrograph The methodology illustrated in NEH630.16 was intend-
(table 21A–3, column (b)), compute the flood ed for users computing the runoff hydrograph by hand
hydrograph as shown in table 21A–4. The unit using a separate strip of paper with the incremental
hydrograph to the nearest cubic feet per second will runoff in reverse order. This is done to help the mod-
be used in this example. It is also important that the in- eler track values as the computations were proceed-
cremental mass curve be reversed. ing. As illustrated, the unit hydrograph is not reversed;
however, the values are multiplied and added in the
Step 1 Multiply the first ordinate of the incremental same order as would be done using the NEH630.16
runoff volume by the first ordinate of the unit methodology. However, an electronic spreadsheet was
hydrograph to represent the runoff volume for utilized in this example to help simplify the computa-
the first time step. tions for the modeler.

(C)(0 ) = 0 Table 21A–4 shows portions of the composite princi-
pal spillway hydrograph. This example illustrates the
Step 2 Multiply the first ordinate of the incremental computation of a 10-day flood hydrograph computed
runoff volume by the second ordinate of the on 1-hour time increments. It takes approximately 256
unit hydrograph and add to that the second or- hours for the flood hydrograph to return to zero dis-
dinate of the incremental volume by the first charge. Not all of the computations for all 256 time in-
ordinate of the unit hydrograph to represent crements are shown in this table.
the runoff volume for the second time step.
Figure 21A–3 shows a plot of the principal spillway
(0.0032)(145 ) = .464 round to 0 hydrograph.

Step 3 Runoff volume for the third time step equals

first ordinate of the incremental runoff volume
multiplied by the third ordinate of the unit
hydrograph plus the second ordinate of the
incremental runoff volume multiplied by the
second ordinate of the unit hydrograph plus
the third ordinate of the incremental runoff
volume multiplied by the first ordinate of the
unit hydrograph.

(0.0033 )(145 ) + (0.0032)(450 ) = 11.9 round to 2

Step 4 Continue in the same manner, until all values

of both the incremental runoff volume and
unit hydrograph are exhausted.

21A–10 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Table 21A–4 Ten-day composite principal spillway flood hydrograph

(a) (b) (c) (d) (a) (b) (c) (d)

Time Incremental Unit Composite Time Incremental Unit Composite
(h) runoff hydrograph PSH (h) runoff hydrograph PSH
3
volume (ft3/s) (ft3/s) volume (ft /s) (ft3/s)
(in) (in)
0.00   0 0 107.00 0.0205   152
1.00 0.0033 145 0 108.00 0.0218   159
2.00 0.0033 450 2 109.00 0.0235   168
3.00 0.0033 958 5 110.00 0.0254   177
4.00 0.0033 1350 9 111.00 0.0276   188
5.00 0.0033 1452 14 112.00 0.0304   200
6.00 0.0034 1350 19 113.00 0.0339   215
7.00 0.0034 1133 23 114.00 0.0384   232
8.00 0.0034 813 25 115.00 0.0444   253
9.00 0.0034 566 27 116.00 0.0530   278
10.00 0.0035 407 29 117.00 0.0664   311
11.00 0.0035 301 30 118.00 0.0905   356
12.00 0.0035 213 31 119.00 0.1490   425
13.00 0.0036 155 32 120.00 1.9476   786
14.00 0.0036 112 32 121.00 0.2330   1481
15.00 0.0036 80 33 122.00 0.1119   2568
16.00 0.0036 58 33 123.00 0.0764   3442
17.00 0.0037 42 34 124.00 0.0589   3731
18.00 0.0037 30 34 125.00 0.0483   3564
19.00 0.0037 22 34 126.00 0.0411   3112
20.00 0.0038 16 35 127.00 0.0360   2431
21.00 0.0038 12 35 128.00 0.0320   1857
22.00 0.0038 9 35 129.00 0.0289   1450
23.00 0.0039 6 36 130.00 0.0264   1158
24.00 0.0039 3 36 131.00 0.0244   918
25.00 0.0039 0 36 132.00 0.0226   744
26.00 0.0040   37 133.00 0.0211   608
27.00 0.0040   37 134.00 0.0198   503
28.00 0.0040   37 135.00 0.0187   425
29.00 0.0041   38 136.00 0.0177   364
********** 137.00 0.0168   317
95.00 0.0119   99 138.00 0.0160   279
96.00 0.0123   102 139.00 0.0153   249
97.00 0.0128   105 140.00 0.0146   227
98.00 0.0133   108 141.00 0.0140   207
99.00 0.0138   111 142.00 0.0135   189
100.00 0.0143   115 143.00 0.0130   173
101.00 0.0150   119 144.00 0.0125   158
102.00 0.0156   123 145.00 0.0121   150
103.00 0.0164   128 146.00 0.0117   143
104.00 0.0172   133 147.00 0.0114   137
105.00 0.0182   139 148.00 0.0110   131
106.00 0.0192   145 149.00 0.0107   126

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21A–11

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Table 21A–4 Ten-day composite principal spillway flood hydrograph­—continued

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Time Incremental Unit Composite
(h) runoff hydrograph PSH
3
volume (ft /s) (ft3/s)
(in)
150.00 0.0104   122
151.00 0.0101   117
152.00 0.0098   113
153.00 0.0096   110
154.00 0.0094   106
155.00 0.0091   103
**********
221.00 0.0037   38
222.00 0.0037   38
223.00 0.0037   37
224.00 0.0037   37
225.00 0.0036   37
226.00 0.0036   36
227.00 0.0036   36
228.00 0.0035   36
229.00 0.0035   36
230.00 0.0035   35
231.00 0.0035   35
232.00 0.0034   35
233.00 0.0034   34
234.00 0.0034   34
235.00 0.0034   34
236.00 0.0033   34
237.00 0.0033   33
238.00 0.0033   33
239.00 0.0033   33
240.00 0.0032   33
241.00     32
242.00     30
243.00     27
244.00     22
245.00     18
246.00     13
247.00     9
248.00     7
249.00     5
250.00     3
251.00     3
252.00     2
253.00     1
254.00     1
255.00     1
256.00     0

21A–12 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

Figure 21A–3 Principal spillway hydrograph

Unit hydrograph
qp=1452 ft3/s
1600

1400

1200
Discharge (ft3/s)

100

800

600

400

200

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Time (h)

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21A–13

 Attachment A

Appendix 21A Example of PSH Development Part 630

National Engineering Handbook

21A–14 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21B Example—Development of the Design

Hydrograph: Freeboard Hydrograph
(FBH) Storm
To check the capacity of the earthen spillway of a dam Step 2: Develop the rainfall temporal distribution.
installed on the watershed described in appendix 21A, 1. Determine the probable maximum precipi-
the 24-hour freeboard hydrograph must be developed. tation (PMP) amounts using the appropri-
ate hydrometeorological report (HMR) or
To recap from the example in Appendix 21A, the wa- other appropriate special study. For this ex-
tershed characteristics are as follows: ample, the PMP values are as follows:
• Drainage area = 15.0 square miles
PMP6-hour duration: 29.0 inches
• Time of concentration = 7.1 hours
PMP12-hour duration: 34.0 inches
• Runoff curve number = 80
• Structure hazard class: High hazard PMP24-hour duration: 38.0 inches

Development of the freeboard hydrograph for this ex- 2. Distribute the rainfall into four 6-hour in-
ample will use the 5-point rainfall distribution. crements and determine the fraction of
rainfall for each increment as described
Step 1: Determine the appropriate time interval to and shown in table 21B–1.
use.
3. Accumulate the rainfall fractions for each
Both the unit hydrograph and rainfall distribu- time increment to develop the final 5-point
tion must be compiled on the same time inter- rainfall distribution as shown in table
val for developing the final runoff hydrograph. 21B–2.

Using NEH630.16, appendix A, equation 16A– 4. Using linear interpolation, tabulate the rain-
13, ∆D = 0.133Tc or 0.133(7.1) = 0.9443 hour. fall distribution on the time interval,
For convenience and to simplify computa- ∆D = 1 hour which was determined in step
tions, round this to ∆D = 1 hour. 1, as shown in table 21B–3. Figure 21B–1 is
a plot of the rainfall distribution from table
21B–3.

Step 3: Develop the mass curve of runoff for the de-

sign storm.

This follows the procedures outlined in NEH630.16.

Table 21B–1 Distribution of rainfall into time increments for the 5-point rainfall distribution

Time Incremental rainfall volume Incremental Rainfall fractions for each

increment rainfall volume time increment
(h) (in)

0 to 6 0.5 × (PMP 24-hour–PMP 12-hour) = 0.5 × (38.0-34.0) = 2.0 2.0 / 38.0 = 0.053
6 to 12 PMP 6-hour = 29.0 29.0 / 38.0 = 0.763
12 to 18 PMP 12-hour - PMP 6-hour = 34.0 - 29.0 = 5.0 5.0 / 38.0 = 0.131
18 to 24 0.5 x (PMP 24-hour - PMP 12-hour) = 0.5 x (38.0-34.0) = 2.0 2.0 / 38.0 = 0.053

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21B Example—Development of a Design Part 630

Hydrograph: Freeboard Hydrograph National Engineering Handbook
(FBH) Storm

Starting with the Rainfall Distribution on 1-hour time Table 21B–2 Five-point rainfall distribution for 6-hour
increments from Step 2, determine the incremental increments
mass curve of runoff as shown in table 21B–4.
Time ending Rainfall fraction 5-point rainfall
• Columns (a) and (b) show the hourly rainfall (h) distribution
distribution as tabulated in step 2. 0 0
• Column (c) shows the accumulated rainfall dis- 6 0.053 0.053
tribution determined by multiplying the values 12 0.763 0.816
in column (b) by PMP24-hour of 38.0 inches. 18 0.132 0.947
24 0.053 1.000
• Column (d) shows the accumulated runoff
volume determined using the Curve Number
Runoff equation (see NEH630.10) with an
RCN=80 (assuming Antecedent Runoff
Condition II).
• Column (e) shows the incremental runoff vol-
ume for each 1-hour time increment. Note that Table 21B–3 Rainfall distribution for ∆D = 1 hour time
for RCN=80, runoff does not begin until rainfall increments
is greater than the initial abstraction.
Time Rainfall
Initial abstraction: (h) distribution

0 0
I a = 0.2S
(NEH630.10, eq. 10–10) 1 0.009
2 0.018
where: 3 0.026
1000 4 0.035
CN =
10 + S (NEH630.10, eq. 10–12) 5 0.044
6 0.053
Rearranging equation 10–12 of NEH630.10 7 0.180
8 0.307
1000 9 0.434
S= − 10
80 10 0.561
= 2.5 in 11 0.689
12 0.816
CN = 80 13 0.838
14 0.860
I a = 0.2S ( 2.5 )
15 0.882
= 0.5 in 16 0.904
17 0.925
Step 4: Develop the Unit Hydrograph. 18 0.947
19 0.956
The development of the freeboard hydrograph follows 20 0.965
the procedures in NEH630.16. 21 0.974
• Determine the time to peak, Tp of the unit 22 0.982
hydrograph. 23 0.991
24 1.000

21B–2 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21B Example—Development of a Design Part 630

Hydrograph: Freeboard Hydrograph National Engineering Handbook
(FBH) Storm

Figure 21B–1 Plotted rainfall distribution

Rainfall distribution
1

0.8
Dimensionless rainfall volume

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 60 120 180 240
Time (h)

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21B–3

 Attachment A

Appendix 21B Example—Development of a Design Part 630

Hydrograph: Freeboard Hydrograph National Engineering Handbook
(FBH) Storm

Table 21B–4 Incremental runoff

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

Time Rainfall Total Accumulated Incremental
(h) distribution rainfall mass curve of mass curve
(in) runoff * of runoff
(in) (in)
0 0.000 0.000
1 0.009 0.342 0.000
2 0.018 0.684 0.013 0.013
3 0.026 0.988 0.080 0.067
4 0.035 1.330 0.207 0.127
5 0.044 1.672 0.374 0.167
6 0.053 2.014 0.571 0.197
7 0.180 6.840 4.547 3.976
8 0.307 11.666 9.123 4.576
9 0.434 16.492 13.830 4.707
10 0.561 21.318 18.586 4.756
11 0.689 26.182 23.404 4.818
12 0.816 31.008 28.197 4.794
13 0.838 31.844 29.029 0.831
14 0.860 32.680 29.860 0.832
15 0.882 33.516 30.692 0.832
16 0.904 34.352 31.524 0.832
17 0.925 35.150 32.318 0.794
18 0.947 35.986 33.151 0.832
19 0.956 36.328 33.491 0.341
20 0.965 36.670 33.832 0.341
21 0.974 37.012 34.172 0.341
22 0.982 37.316 34.475 0.303
23 0.991 37.658 34.816 0.341
24 1.000 38.000 35.156 0.341

* Runoff starts when I a = 0.2S = .02 ( 2.5 ) = 0.5 in

21B–4 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21B Example—Development of a Design Part 630

Hydrograph: Freeboard Hydrograph National Engineering Handbook
(FBH) Storm

Figure 21B–2 Plotted freeboard storm mass curve

Rainfall distribution
36.0000

32.0000

28.0000
Runoff volume (in)

24.0000

20.0000

16.0000

12.0000

8.0000

4.0000

0.0000
0 4 8 12 18 20 24
Time (h)

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21B–5

 Attachment A

Appendix 21B Example—Development of a Design Part 630

Hydrograph: Freeboard Hydrograph National Engineering Handbook
(FBH) Storm

• Using NEH630.16, appendix A, equation 16A–10 Table 21B–5 Unit hydrograph

Tc + ∆D = 1.7 Tp
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Tp =
(T c + ∆D) Time Discharge Time Unit
1.7 ratios ratios (hr) hydrograph:
(ft3/s)
=
(7.1 + 1) (t/Tp) (q/Qp) =5×(t/Tp)
= 1,452×(q/Qp)
1.7 0.0 0.000 0 0
= 4.76 hr 0.1 0.030 0.5 43.56
0.2 0.100 1 145.2
To simplify computations, and in keeping with
0.3 0.190 1.5 275.88
the rounding of ∆D to 1 hour, round Tp to 5
0.4 0.310 2 450.12
hours for the dimensionless unit hydrograph
0.5 0.470 2.5 682.44
computations.
0.6 0.660 3 958.32
• Determine the qp for a volume of runoff equal 0.7 0.820 3.5 1190.64
to 1-inch. 0.8 0.930 4 1350.36
Using equation 16A–6, 0.9 0.990 4.5 1437.48
1.0 1.000 5 1452
AQ
q p = 484 1.1 0.990 5.5 1437.48
Tp 1.2 0.930 6 1350.36
484 (15.0 mi 2 ) (1 in ) 1.3 0.860 6.5 1248.72
=
(5 hr ) 1.4 0.780 7 1132.56
1.5 0.680 7.5 987.36
= 1, 452 ft 3 /s
1.6 0.560 8 813.12
1.7 0.460 8.5 667.92
• Columns (a) and (b) in table 21B–5 are copied
1.8 0.390 9 566.28
from table 16–1 and show the ratios of time to
1.9 0.330 9.5 479.16
time to peak and unit discharge to unit peak
discharge. 2.0 0.280 10 406.56
2.2 0.207 11 300.564
• Multiply the time ratios in column (a) by the 2.4 0.147 12 213.444
computed time to peak, 4.76 hours, to obtain 2.6 0.107 13 155.364
time increments, column (c) for the dimension- 2.8 0.077 14 111.804
less unit hydrograph.
3.0 0.055 15 79.86
• Multiply the discharge ratios in column (b) 3.2 0.040 16 58.08
by the computed unit peak discharge, 1452 3.4 0.029 17 42.108
cubic feet per second, to obtain the unit dis- 3.6 0.021 18 30.492
charges, column (d), for the dimensionless unit 3.8 0.015 19 21.78
hydrograph. 4.0 0.011 20 15.972
• Using linear interpolation between val- 4.5 0.005 22.5 7.26
ues shown in table 21B–5, tabulate the unit 5.0 0.000 25 0
hydrograph so that the unit hydrograph and
rainfall distribution are tabulated on the same
interval. As determined in step 1, ∆D=1 hour
should be used. Table 21B–6 shows the unit
hydrograph recompiled on the 1-hour time in-
terval.

Step 5: Check the volume under the unit hydrograph.

21B–6 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21B Example—Development of a Design Part 630

Hydrograph: Freeboard Hydrograph National Engineering Handbook
(FBH) Storm

• Sum the ordinates of the unit hydrograph (table  1 hr   1 min 

 60 min   60 sec  = 9680 ft /s-hr
3
21B–6, column (b)) and multiply by ∆D.

9690 ft 3 /s × 1 hr = 9690 ft 3 /s-hr
The difference between the two volumes in this
example is negligible at less than 0.5%.
• Compute the volume under the unit hydrograph
using the drainage area and unit runoff volume, Step 6: Compute the flood hydrograph.
1 inch.
• Utilizing the Incremental Runoff Volume
 1 ft  (table 21B–4, column e) and the Unit
15.0 mi (1 in ) 
2
(43560 ft 2 /ac )(640 ac/mi 2 )
 12 in  Hydrograph (table 21B–6), compute the flood

hydrograph.
– Multiply the first ordinate of the incremen-
tal runoff volume by the first ordinate of the
unit hydrograph to represent the runoff vol-
ume for the first time step.
Table 21B–6 Unit hydrograph on ∆D =1-hour time
increments – Multiply the first ordinate of the incremental
runoff volume by the second ordinate of the
(a) (b)
Time Unit unit hydrograph and add to that the second or-
(h) hydrograph dinate of the incremental volume by the first
(ft3/s) ordinate of the unit hydrograph to represent
0 0 the runoff volume for the second time step.
1 145 – Runoff volume for the third time step = First
2 450 ordinate of the incremental runoff volume
3 958 multiplied by the third ordinate of the unit
4 1350 hydrograph PLUS the second ordinate of
5 1452 the incremental runoff volume multiplied by
6 1350 the second ordinate of the unit hydrograph
7 1133 PLUS the third ordinate of the incremental
8 813 runoff volume multiplied by the first ordi-
9 566 nate of the unit hydrograph.
10 407 – Continue in the same manner, until all val-
11 301 ues of both the incremental runoff volume
12 213 and unit hydrograph are exhausted.
13 155
14 112 Table 21B–7 shows the computation of the final run-
15 80 off hydrograph which is the design hydrograph for the
16 58 freeboard hydrograph storm event. This method dif-
17 42 fers slightly from that illustrated in NEH630.16. The
18 30 methodology illustrated in NEH630.16 was intended
19 22 for users computing the runoff hydrograph by hand
20 16 using a separate strip of paper with the incremental
21 12
runoff in reverse order. This is done to help the mod-
eler track values as the computations were proceed-
22 9
ing. The method illustrated here multiples and adds
23 6
the values in the same order as would be done using
24 3
the NEH630.16, Methodology. However, an electronic
Σ= 9683 spreadsheet was utilized in this example to help sim-
plify the computations for the modeler.

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21B–7

 Attachment A

Appendix 21B Example—Development of a Design Part 630

Hydrograph: Freeboard Hydrograph National Engineering Handbook
(FBH) Storm

The next page shows the composite freeboard Converting that to watershed inches equals:
hydrograph.
340677 ft 3 /s-hr (60 min/hr )(60 s/hr )
= 2.93 (12 in/ft )
Step 7 Check of runoff volume (OPTIONAL). 15.0 mi 2 (640 ac/mi 2 ) ( 43560 ft 2 /s )
= 35.2 in
As an optional check, compare the runoff vol-
ume obtained by summing the ordinates of the unit • Runoff volume determined using the runoff
hydrograph with the total volume of runoff for the equation,
PMP24-hour storm determined using the runoff eEqua-
tion with the total runoff volume from the principal (P − 0.2S )2
Q=
spillway mass curve. P + 0.8S (NEH630.10, eq. 10–11)

• Runoff volume from flood hydrograph ordi- where:

nates equals: P = PMP24-hour = 38.0 inches; and

340677 ft 3 /s × 1 hr = 340677 ft 3 /s-hr 1000

S= − 10
CN
(NEH630.10, eq. 10–12)

Figure 21B–3 Plot of unit hydrograph

Unit hydrograph
qp=1452 ft3/s
1600

1400

1200

1000
Discharge (ft3/s)

800

600

400

200

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Time (h)

21B–8 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)

 Attachment A

Appendix 21B Example—Development of a Design Part 630

Hydrograph: Freeboard Hydrograph National Engineering Handbook
(FBH) Storm

Table 21B–7 Design hydrograph—FBH storm event

(a) (b) (c) (d) (a) (b) (c) (d)

Time Incremental Unit hydrograph Freeboard Time Incremental Unit hydrograph Freeboard
(h) runoff hydrograph (h) runoff hydrograph
(discharge in ft3/s) (discharge in ft3/s)
0 0 0 28 3311
1 0.000 145 0 29 2547
2 0.013 450 2 30 1892
3 0.067 958 16 31 1353
4 0.127 1350 61 32 939
5 0.167 1452 163 33 664
6 0.197 1350 3335 34 464
7 3.976 1133 1111 35 318
8 4.576 813 3156 36 220
9 4.707 566 7317 37 158
10 4.756 407 13276 38 110
11 4.818 301 19900 39 77
12 4.794 213 26248 40 53
13 0.831 155 31160 41 36
14 0.832 112 33503 42 25
15 0.832 80 32652 43 17
16 0.832 58 29426 44 10
17 0.794 42 25225 45 6
18 0.832 30 20972 46 3
19 0.341 22 17194 47 1
20 0.341 22 14318 48 0
21 0.341 12 12017 Σ= 340654
22 0.303 9 10041
23 0.341 6 8350
24 0.341 3 6992
25 0 5880
26 4992
27 4143

(210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008) 21B–9

 Attachment A

Appendix 21B Example—Development of a Design Part 630

Hydrograph: Freeboard Hydrograph National Engineering Handbook
(FBH) Storm

with CN = 80 and rearranging equation 10–12 of

NEH630.10
1000
S= − 10
80
= 2.5 in
and

Runoff volume from the mass curve (shown at time,

t = 24.0 hours in column (d) of table 21B–6) = 35.16
inches.

All three runoff volumes agree.

Figure 21B–4 Plot of FBH

Freeboard storm hydrograph

40000

35000

30000
Discharge (ft3/s)

25000

20000

15000

10000

5000

0
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 34 36 38 40
Time (h)

21B–10 (210–VI–NEH, draft July 2008)