Lecture 8a TR55

Large Storms, Large Areas, Large
Runoff:
Using the SCS/NRCS TR-55 Method for Runoff Quantification
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Runoff Models
The USDA NRCS/SCS has two models for design

of watershed models – TR-20 and TR-55. To
assess runoff creation & flow, they use:
• 24-hour rainfall events
• NRCS runoff equation
• NRCS curve numbers (CNs)
• CN modifiers
NRCS/SCS Method Development
• The original hydrologic model was developed

by the SCS (now the NRCS) Hydrology Division
for quantifying discharge coming off of
agricultural areas
• The original model was followed by Technical

Release 20 (TR-20)
– This is a computer-based model for a mainframe computer
– There now exists a newer version for desktop computers

• Technical Release #55 (TR-55) was later

developed for field technicians
– This field manual utilizes manual methods of quantifying runoff, etc., using
charts and graphs
– This is called a graphical method
– Because of the calculations necessary, there is extremely limited routing

capability
• Manual methods were followed by HydroCAD

& other computer modeling programs
• This methodology utilizes a 24-hour storm duration.

• This extended duration (over the Rational Method) allows for
modeling of large watersheds, or systems of watersheds
• Longer duration also allows for routing where total routing time
exceeds 1-hour limit of Rational Method (explained in later class
period)
• NRCS Method is a hydrograph-based method
– Allows for pond design
– Allows for channel routing and storage calculations
Rainfall Distribution Patterns
• There are Four

patterns of
rainfall
distribution
in the United
States:
– Types I, IA, II, &

III
– See map and

graphs in
Appendix B of
TR-55
Distribution of Rainfall Over a 24-Hour Duration
Generation of 24-Hour Duration Rainfall Data
• 24-Hour Storm Rainfall data is generated in a few different or

combined ways, via the following:
– State Engineering Office, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
– State or county rainfall standards
– Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities
– National Standard: Hershfield, D.M. (1961) Rainfall frequency atlas of the

United States for durations from 30 minutes to 24 hours and return
periods from 1 to 100 years, technical paper No. 40. Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Weather Bureau.
Standard Rainfall Maps
Twin Cities, MN
= 2.75"
2"
2.5"
3"
3.5"
NRCS/SCS TR-55 Urban Runoff Model
• Good for watershed areas up to 20 sq. mi.

• Requires 24-hour duration storm data
• Not appropriate for quantifying runoff where rain falls
on frozen ground, or for snowmelt runoff
• This method is less accurate when runoff is less than
2.5 inches
• Limitations of the NRCS/SCS TR-55 method is

noted as the following:
– Not accurate for weighted CNs less than 40 (TR-55 only, but TR-20 &
HydroCAD are O.K.)
– Tends to underestimate runoff from rainfalls less-than-2.0 inches on

pervious surfaces
– Tends to over-estimate runoff from rainfalls less than 2.0 inches on

impervious surfaces
• The USDA NRCS/SCS TR-55 Runoff Equation:
2
(P − Ia )
Q=
(P − Ia ) + S
where,
Q = runoff volume in depth in inches over the entire unit area
P = rainfall depth, in inches
Ia = initial abstraction of rainfall, in inches
S = potential maximum retention of water by soil, in inches of rainfall
• Substitution for Ia: Ia = 0.2S
• Rewrite Runoff Equation: (P − 0.2S) 2

Q=
(P + 0.8S)
• CN (curve number)
Expression S =
1000
− 10
of Runoff Potential: CN
• S is related to CN: 1000

CN =
S + 10
or,
We can plot solutions as

curve on a graph
• Therefore the USDA NRCS Runoff Equation can be

re-written (after substitutions) as the following:
1000
( P − (0.2( − 10))) 2
Q= CN
1000
( P + (0.8( − 10)))
CN
where,
Q = runoff volume in depth in inches over the entire unit area
P = rainfall depth, in inches
CN = the NRCS curve number, as found in the TR-55 manual
S = potential maximum retention of water by soil, in inches of rainfall
TR-55 Graphical Solution – CNs
Finding A Sample Volume of Runoff
• Use CN = 50 for P = 6” on A = 40 acres. Using Figure 2.1 of TR-55:
6 in of rainfall on 40
acres of land yields
runoff 1.08 inches
deep –
Then,
(1.08")(1ft/12in) (40
acres) =
3.6 acre-feet of 1.08”

runoff
NRCS Curve Number (CN) Content
Factors that are integrated into NRCS curve

numbers:
– Soil hydrologic group
o Group A -- highest infiltration , low runoff potential
o Group B -- moderate infiltration, fine to coarse texture
o Group C -- slow infiltration rate, layer to impede infiltration
o Group D -- very slow infiltration, heavy clay, clay pan
– Vegetative cover type
– Management of cover type
– Hydrologic condition of cover
– Antecedent moisture condition

NRCS TR-55 CN Selection
• In choosing a curve number for use in this

model for urban watersheds, consider the
following options:
– Single CN for uniform watershed cover (rare)
– If complex cover, develop weighted CN, using the same method as generating a
weighted Rv value
– Use Table 2.2 Runoff Curve Numbers of TR-55, on Moodle

Modifying NRCS CNs for Better Designs
• You must modify NRCS CNs to better reflect

your site design
– CNs apply only to Urban Cover Descriptions where specific character
of impervious cover is as shown on Table 2.2a, TR-55, Second Edition
(assumes standard development)
– Use to recognize reductions in % total imperviousness (less than 30%

of area of overall subcatchment)
Decision Tree for CN Modification
• Refer to the Figure 2-2 Flow

Chart shown at right in TR-
55, 2nd Edition, found on
the Moodle site.
• This is the starting place of

all curve number generation:
don’t skip this step!
• Study examples referring to

this chart and related
modification graphs
Modifying NRCS CNs for Non-Standard Designs
• Adjust to account for any disconnected

impervious surfaces
CN Standard, Conventional Design Condition Better, Unconventional, Design Condition

CN Tables for Select Areas
CN Tables for Select Areas
Don’t forget the fine print for each table in TR-55 for
any adjustments to the CNs:
CN Composite Tables for Connected Impervious
CN Composite Tables for Disconnected Impervious
Example Runoff Calculation Using TR-55
• Example
Calculation
Worksheet
(Figure 2-7 from
TR-55, 2nd
Edition)
Example Runoff Calculation Using TR-55
• Assume a 25-year, 24 hour storm event of 6.0

inches falls on 250 acres with a the following
area descriptions:
– 75 acres: ½ acre lots, 35% impervious, good condition, B-soils
– 100 acres: ½ acre lots, 35% impervious, good condition, C-soils
– 75 acres: Open space, good condition, C-soils

• Refer to the Figure 2-2 Flow

Chart shown at right in TR-
55, 2nd Edition, found on
the Moodle site, to do the
following:
1. Answer the questions via the

flow chart about each given
area
2. Utilize the appropriate table

indicated in the flow chart to
find the composite CN for
each area
• Process 1
75 acres: ½ acre lots, 35%
impervious, good condition, B-
soils
Find Raw CNs for Given Land Areas
• Process 1 (cont.’d)
impervious, good condition, B-
soils
• Process 2
impervious, good condition, C-
soils
Find Raw CNs for Given Land Areas
• Process 2 (cont.’d)
impervious, good condition, C-
soils
Composite CN Entry
1. Enter
composite CNs
found in either
Table 2-2,
Figure 2-3, or
in Figure 2-4 in
TR-55
Worksheet 2
2. Repeat
process for any
other areas,
until all land
areas within
watershed are
accounted for.
Weighted Composite CN Calculation
3. Multiply each
CN by its
associated area
to get the
resultant
product
(CN x A), and
then sum both
those values
and areas.
4. Take the sum of

the products
(19,300) and
divide by the
total area (250)
to get the
weighted
composite CN
Weighted Composite CN Calculation
5. Use the weighted

CN calculated in
Step 4 to
calculate the
runoff depth in
watershed-
inches, using the
NRCS runoff
equation.
Note: please see
associated
calculations of
the runoff depth
in the next slide.
5. Insert
information into
the Worksheet to
complete the
form.
1000 where,
( P − (0.2( − 10))) 2 Q = runoff volume in depth in inches over the entire unit area
Q= CN P = rainfall depth, in inches
1000 CN = the NRCS curve number, as found in the TR-55 manual
( P + (0.8( − 10))) S = potential maximum retention of water by soil, in inches of
CN rainfall
(6.0” – (0.2 x ((1000/77) – 10)))2

Q= CALCULATIONS
(6.0” + (0.8 x ((1000/77) – 10)))
(6.0” – (0.2 x (2.987)))2

Q=
(6.0” + (0.8 x (2.987)))
(6.0” – 0.597)2
Q=
(6.0” + 2.390)
29.19
Q= = 3.48 in (watershed-inches)
8.39
Example Problem Using TR-55
To then account for total runoff volume for the given storm
event from the area, we multiply the runoff depth (convert to
feet) by the total contributing watershed area, as follows:
1. Use the Q (calculated depth of runoff for 25-year storm event for given area
(Dyer County Tennessee) calculated in previous step = 3.48 inches, not the
storm depth!
2. Calculate runoff depth for watershed in feet: 3.48“ x (1'/12") = 0.29 feet of
runoff
3. Calculate runoff volume for given watershed area: 0.29 ft x 250 ac = 72. 5
acre-feet of runoff

Lecture 8a TR55

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture 8a TR55

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture 8a TR55

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Large Storms, Large Areas, Large

The USDA NRCS/SCS has two models for design

• NRCS runoff equation

• NRCS curve numbers (CNs)

• The original hydrologic model was developed

• The original model was followed by Technical

– There now exists a newer version for desktop computers

• Technical Release #55 (TR-55) was later

– This is called a graphical method

– Because of the calculations necessary, there is extremely limited routing

• Manual methods were followed by HydroCAD

• This methodology utilizes a 24-hour storm duration.

• There are Four

– Types I, IA, II, &

– See map and

• 24-Hour Storm Rainfall data is generated in a few different or

– State Engineering Office, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

– State or county rainfall standards

– Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities

– National Standard: Hershfield, D.M. (1961) Rainfall frequency atlas of the

• Good for watershed areas up to 20 sq. mi.

• Limitations of the NRCS/SCS TR-55 method is

– Tends to underestimate runoff from rainfalls less-than-2.0 inches on

– Tends to over-estimate runoff from rainfalls less than 2.0 inches on

• The USDA NRCS/SCS TR-55 Runoff Equation:

• Substitution for Ia: Ia = 0.2S

• Rewrite Runoff Equation: (P − 0.2S) 2

• S is related to CN: 1000

We can plot solutions as

• Therefore the USDA NRCS Runoff Equation can be

• Use CN = 50 for P = 6” on A = 40 acres. Using Figure 2.1 of TR-55:

3.6 acre-feet of 1.08”

Factors that are integrated into NRCS curve

– Vegetative cover type

– Management of cover type

– Hydrologic condition of cover

– Antecedent moisture condition

• In choosing a curve number for use in this

– Use Table 2.2 Runoff Curve Numbers of TR-55, on Moodle

• You must modify NRCS CNs to better reflect

– Use to recognize reductions in % total imperviousness (less than 30%

• Refer to the Figure 2-2 Flow

• This is the starting place of

• Study examples referring to

• Adjust to account for any disconnected

CN Standard, Conventional Design Condition Better, Unconventional, Design Condition

• Assume a 25-year, 24 hour storm event of 6.0

– 100 acres: ½ acre lots, 35% impervious, good condition, C-soils

– 75 acres: Open space, good condition, C-soils

• Refer to the Figure 2-2 Flow

1. Answer the questions via the

2. Utilize the appropriate table

4. Take the sum of

5. Use the weighted

(6.0” – (0.2 x ((1000/77) – 10)))2

(6.0” – (0.2 x (2.987)))2

You might also like