Rational Method Hydrologic

Calculations with Excel

Course No: C01-010

Credit: 1 PDH

Harlan H. Bengtson, PhD, P.E.

Continuing Education and Development, Inc.

22 Stonewall Court
Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677

P: (877) 322-5800
[email protected]
 Rational Method Hydrologic Calculations with Excel
Harlan H. Bengtson, PhD, P.E.

COURSE CONTENT

1. Introduction

Calculation of peak storm water runoff rate from a drainage area is often
done with the Rational Method equation (Q = CiA). Use of Excel
spreadsheets for calculations with this equation and for determination of the
design rainfall intensity and the time of concentration of the drainage area,
are included in this course. The parameters in the equations are defined with
typical units for both U.S. and S.I. units.

Image Credit: Virginia Cooperative Extension

2. Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will

• Know the parameters and their U.S. and S.I. units to be used in the
Rational Method equation

• Be able to calculate peak storm water runoff rate with the Rational
Method equation, using either U.S. or S.I. units

• Be able to place a given soil into one of the four SCS soil groups
based on its measured minimum infiltration rate

• Be able to place a given soil into one of the four SCS soil groups
based on its description

• Be able to determine a value of the Rational Method runoff coefficient

based on land use, soil group, and slope of the watershed

• Be able to calculate the overland sheet flow travel time for a

watershed using the Manning Kinematic equation

• Be able to calculate the shallow concentrated flow travel time for a

watershed using the NRCS method

• Be able to calculate the open channel flow travel time for a watershed
using the Manning equation

• Know the form of the equation used for rainfall intensity as a function
of storm duration for a specified return period.

• Be familiar with methods for using Excel spreadsheets to make the

types of calculations discussed in this course.
3. Topics Covered in this Course

I. The Rational Method Equation

II. Runoff Coefficients

III. Watershed Time of Concentration

IV. Design Rainfall Intensity

V. Peak Storm Water Runoff Rate Calculations

VI. Summary

VII. References

4. The Rational Method Equation

The Rational Method equation actually used to calculate peak storm water
runoff rate is: Q = CiA (U.S. units), or Q = 0.0028 CiA (S.I. units) where:

• A = the area of the watershed (drainage area) that drains to the point
for which the peak runoff rate is needed (acres for U.S. units) (ha for
S.I. units)

• C = runoff coefficient for drainage area A. A physical interpretation

is the faction of rainfall landing on the drainage area that becomes
storm water runoff. (dimensionless for both U.S. and S.I. units)

• i = the intensity of the design storm for peak runoff calculation

(in/hr for U.S. units) (mm/hr for S.I. units)

• Q = the peak storm water runoff rate from the drainage area, A, due
to the design storm of intensity, i. (cfs for U.S. units) ( m3/s for S.I.
units).
Explanation of Units: For the SI version of the equation (Q = 0.0028 CiA),
the 0.0028 factor is needed to convert ha to m, mm to m, and hr to sec as
follows:

Q = (mm/hr)(ha)(10,000 m2/ha)(1 m/1000 mm)(1 hr/3600 sec), or

Q = 0.0028 CiA, with i in mm/hr, A in ha, and Q in m3/s

At first glance the units don't appear to be correct for the specified U.S.
units. The equation actually gives Q in acre-in/hr. The conversion factor,
however, is 1.008 cfs/(acre-in/hr), and based on the precision with which the
runoff coefficient can be determined, this conversion is typically taken to be
1, thus giving Q in cfs for rainfall intensity in in/hr and drainage area in
acres.

The calculation of peak storm water runoff rate from the equation, Q = CiA,
is quite straightforward if values are known for C, i, and A. Values for the
drainage area, A, and the runoff coefficient, C, can typically be obtained
without much trouble. Determination of the design rainfall intensity, i,
usually requires the most effort.

Example #1: Calculate the peak stormwater runoff rate from a watershed of
15 acres, with a runoff coefficient of 0.35, from a storm of intensity 2.4
in/hr.

Solution: This requires simply substituting into the equation ( Q = CiA ),

thus: Q = (0.35)(2.4)(15) = 12.6 cfs

5. Rational Method Runoff Coefficients

Since the physical interpretation of the runoff coefficient is the fraction of

the rainfall on the watershed that becomes surface runoff, it must have a
value between one and zero. The value of the runoff coefficient for a given
drainage area depends primarily on three factors: i) the soil type, ii) the
land use, and iii) the slope of the watershed. Each of those factors will now
be discussed briefly.
Soil Type: Sandy soils allow a high infiltration rate, so they have a
relatively low storm water runoff rate and a relatively low runoff coefficient.
Soils with a large clay content, however, have a low infiltration rate. As a
result, they have a relatively high storm water runoff rate and a relatively
high runoff coefficient.

The United States Soil Conservation Service (SCS) has identified four soil
group classifications (A, B, C, or D) that can be used to help in determining
values for drainage area runoff coefficients. Determination of which SCS
soil group fits a particular soil may be on the basis of a measured minimum
infiltration rate for the soil or on the basis of a description of the soil.

The minimum infiltration rates (from ref #1) for each of the SCS soil groups
are as follows:

• Group A 0.30 – 0.45 in/hr

• Group B 0.15 – 0.30 in/hr
• Group C 0.05 – 0.15 in/hr
• Group D 0 – 0.05 in/hr

Descriptions of the four SCS soil groups (from ref #1) are as follows:

• Group A Deep sand; deep loess; aggregated soils

• Group B Shallow loess; sandy loam
• Group C Clay loams; shallow sandy loam; soils low in
organic content; soils usually high in clay
• Group D Soils that swell significantly when wet; heavy
plastic clays; certain saline soils

Land Use: Factors related to land use that affect the runoff coefficient are
the fraction of the area with impervious cover, like streets, parking lots, or
buildings and the extent of vegetative cover, which intercepts surface runoff.
Slope: In general, a watershed with a greater slope will have a higher runoff
coefficient than one with a lesser slope.

The two tables below provide runoff coefficient values in terms of land use
and watershed slope for each of the four SCS soil groups. As indicated
below, the source for the information in the table is the Knox County
Tennessee Stormwater Management Manual (Ref #2 at the end of the
course).

Source: Knox County Tennessee, Stormwater Management Manual,

http://www.knoxcounty.org/stormwater/pdfs/vol2/3-1-3%20Rational
 Source: Knox County Tennessee, Stormwater Management Manual,
http://www.knoxcounty.org/stormwater/pdfs/vol2/3-1-3%20Rational

Example #2: What is the value of the runoff coefficient to be used in

Rational Method equation calculations, for a residential area with ¼ acre
lots, soil group B, and slope of approximately 1.4% ?

Solution: From Part I of the Runoff Coefficient Table above, C = 0.33

6. Watershed Time of Concentration

Background: The time of concentration doesn’t appear directly in the

Rational Method equation. It is needed, however, for determination of the
design rainfall intensity to use in the Rational Method equation. For a given
watershed, the time of concentration is the time required for rainfall landing
on the farthest point of the watershed to reach the watershed outlet.

The time of concentration should be used as the duration of the design storm
for calculating peak storm water runoff rate with the Rational Method
equation. This is because a storm of duration less than the time of
concentration will never have all of the watershed contributing flow at the
same time during the storm. A storm with duration equal to the time of
concentration will have the full watershed contributing to the runoff at the
outlet, (and thus reach peak flow rate) just before the storm ends. A storm of
duration greater than the time of concentration, and the same recurrence
interval, will be less intense.

Estimating Time of Concentration: Many empirical equations are

available for calculating time of concentration for a watershed. Three that
are in widespread use will be discussed in this course. The Manning
Kinematic equation will be discussed for overland sheet flow. The NRCS
method will be used for shallow concentrated flow. Finally, the Manning
equation will be discussed for flow in a channel.

The Manning Kinematic equation is shown below for both U.S. and S.I.
units:
The parameters and their units in this equation are as follows:

• t1 is the travel time for overland sheet flow (min for both U.S. & S.I.
systems)

• n is the Manning roughness coefficient, which is dimensionless (see

the table below for Manning Roughness Coefficient values for a
variety of surfaces.)

• L is the length of the flow path (ft. for U.S. & m for S.I.)

• P is the 2 year, 24 hour rainfall depth (in. for U.S. & mm for S.I.)

• S is the ground slope, which is dimensionless (or ft/ft for U.S. & m/m
for S.I.)

Source: Iowa Stormwater Management Manual, Section on Time of

Concentration, at: http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/pubs/stormwater/Design/2C/2C-
3%20Time%20of%20Concentration.pdf
Example #3: What would be the overland sheet flow travel time for a
watershed with a path length for overland sheet flow of 75 ft; ground slope
of 0.0004; Manning roughness coefficient for the flow path of 0.15; and
2yr/24hr rainfall of 5 inches?

Solution: Substituting values into the Manning Kinematic Equation for

U.S. units gives t1 = [0.42(0.15*75)0.8]/[50.5*0.00040.4] = 30.7 min

The NRCS Method is recommended by and described in references #3 and

#4 (Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Iowa Stormwater
Management Manual) for the shallow concentrated flow that normally
develops within 100 to 300 feet into the watershed, after overland sheet
flow. The NRCS method involves calculation of the velocity of the shallow
concentrated flow based on information about the slope and the type of
surface. The travel time is then calculated as the travel length divided by the
flow velocity. The equations used in NRCS Method calculations are as
follows for U.S. units:

• V = 16.1345 S0.5 for an unpaved surface

• V = 20.3282 S0.5 for a paved surface

• t2 = L/(60V)

For S.I. units, the NRCS Method equations are:

• V = 4.9178 S0.5 for an unpaved surface

• V = 6.1960 S0.5 for a paved surface

• t2 = L/(60V)
The parameters and their units for these equations are as follow:

• t2 = travel time for shallow concentrated flow (in minutes for U.S. or
S.I units)

• L = length of the flow path ( ft for U.S. or m for S.I. units )

• V is the shallow concentrated flow velocity (ft/sec for U.S. or m/s for
S.I. units)

• S is the slope of the flow path (dimensionless, i.e. ft/ft or m/m)

Example #4: What would be the travel time for an unpaved, concentrated
shallow flow path of 105 ft, with a slope of 0.0004?

Solution: Substituting the slope into the U.S. equation for an unpaved
surface gives: V = 16.135 (0.0004)0.5 = 0.3227 ft/sec. Then:
t2 = L/(60V) = 105/(60*0.3227) = 5.4 min

The image on the next page shows part of an Excel spreadsheet that will
calculate the overland sheet flow travel time with the Manning Kinematic
Equation and the shallow concentrated flow time with the NRCS Method
based on input information about the watershed. A spreadsheet to make this
type of calculation is available for low cost download at
www.engineeringexceltemplates.com. You don’t need to download the
spreadsheet, however, to complete this course and take the exam.
The Manning equation can be used for the open channel flow portion of the
storm water runoff that typically occurs at the end of the runoff path. This
method is recommended by both ref #3 and ref #4 for calculating open
channel flow travel time. You may well be familiar with the Manning
equation as follow:

• U.S. units: Q = (1.49/n)A(R2/3)(S1/2)

• S.I. units: Q = (1.0/n)A(R2/3)(S1/2)

Other equations that are used in calculating travel time for the open channel
flow portion of the storm water runoff are:

• Velocity of flow = V = Q/A for either U.S. or S.I. units

• Travel time = t3 = L/(60V) for either U.S. or S.I. units

The definitions and units for the parameters in these equations are:

• t3 is the open channel flow travel time (min for either U.S. or S.I.
units)

• L is the length of the open channel flow path (ft – U.S. or m – S.I.)

• V is the average open channel flow velocity (ft/sec – U.S. or m/s –

S.I.)

• Q is the flow rate in the open channel (cfs – U.S. or m3/s – S.I.)

• R is the hydraulic radius of the open channel flow (R = A/P with A

and P as defined below) (ft – U.S. or m – S.I.)
 • A is the cross-sectional area of the open channel flow (ft2 – U.S. or m2
– S.I.)

• P is the wetted perimeter of the open channel flow (ft – U.S. or m –

S.I.)

• n = Manning roughness coefficient for the channel surface

(dimensionless)

Example #5: What would be the travel time for the open channel flow
portion of storm water runoff in a channel with bottom width = 2 ft; depth of
flow = 1.2 ft; side slope = 3; Manning roughness = 0.022; channel bottom
slope = 0.0003; and flow path length = 75 ft?

Solution: The solution proceeds by calculation of A, P, R, Q, V, and t3 as

follows:

For the trapezoidal channel: A = by + zy2 = 2*1.2 + 3*1.22 = 6.7 ft2

P = b + 2y(1 + z2)1/2 = 2 + 2*1.2(1 + 32)1/2 = 9.6 ft

R = A/P = 6.7/9.6 ft = 0.70 ft

Q = (1.49/n)A(R2/3)(S1/2) = (1.49/0.022)(6.7)(0.702/3)(0.00031/2) = 6.22 cfs

V = Q/A = 6.22/6.7 ft/sec = 0.925 ft/sec

Finally: t3 = L/(60V) = 75/(60*0.925) = 1.4 min

These calculations can be conveniently done with an Excel spreadsheet as

shown in the image on the next page. It shows another part of the Excel
spreadsheet above. This part calculates the travel time for the open channel
flow part of the storm water runoff using the Manning equation.
Calculation of the overall time of concentration is also shown on this part of
the spreadsheet. This overall spreadsheet for calculation of time of
concentration is available at the link mentioned above. As stated before, you
don’t need to download the spreadsheet to complete this course and take the
exam.
7. Design Rainfall Intensity

The design rainfall intensity, i, for use in the Rational Method equation is the
intensity of a constant intensity design storm with return period equal to a
specified value for the purpose of the peak runoff rate being calculated, and
duration equal to the time of concentration of the watershed. The return
period to be used is typically specified by some state or local government
agency.

In order to determine the design storm intensity for known duration and
return period, some type of intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) data for the
location of interest is needed. In general, for a given return period, a shorter
duration storm will be of greater intensity than an longer duration storm.
IDF data is available from state agencies in many U.S. states. It may be in
the form of graphs, tables, and/or equations. The figure below (adapted
from Illinois State Water Survey Bulletin 70 (ref #5) shows an example IDF
graph for northwest Illinios.
Depending on the type of IDF data available, the design rainfall intensity, i,
can typically be obtained for a given return period and storm duration by
reading from a graph or interpolating from a table. When using an Excel
spreadsheet for calculations, however, it is more convenient to have the IDF
data in the form of an equation. When the data is fit to an equation, one of
the form: i = a/(d + b) for each return period of interest, where i is the storm
intensity, d is the storm intensity, and a & b are constants. The equation
i = a/(d + b) can be rearranged into the form:

1/i = (1/a)d + b/a, which is a linear equation for 1/i vs d.

The image below shows an Excel spreadsheet set up to carry out a linear
regression of 1/i vs d, using input values for i vs d from available IDF data.
The slope and intercept from the linear regression are used to calculate the
constants a and b. Then the equation i = a/(d + b) can be used to calculate
design rainfall intensity, i, for any desired storm duration, d, at the same
return period as that used to obtain the values for a and b.

8. Peak Storm Water Runoff Rate Calculation

The spreadsheet shown on the next page (available from the link mentioned
above) will also calculate the peak storm water runoff rate, using the
calculated design rainfall intensity, i, and specified watershed drainage area,
A, and runoff coefficient, C, in the Rational Method equation: Q = CiA.
9. Summary

The Rational Method equation, Q = CiA, is widely used to calculate peak

storm water runoff rate for a variety of storm water management
applications. As described in this course, Excel spreadsheets can be useful
for calculation of the watershed time of concentration (used as duration of
design storm); to prepare an equation for design storm intensity as a function
of storm duration by linear regression, and to calculate the peak storm water
runoff rate.

10. References

1. McCuen, Richard H., Hydrologic Analysis and Design, 2nd Ed, Upper
Saddle River, NJ, 1998.

2. Knox County Tennessee, Stormwater Management Manual, section on

the Rational Method

3. U.S. Soil Conservation Service, Technical Note - Hydrology No N4,

June 17, 1986.

4. Iowa Stormwater Management Manual, Section on Time of

Concentration.

5. Illinois State Water Survey, Bulletin 70.