The basin

Hydrograph analysis
 1. tp : the time to peak
(Qp) from the
starting point A,
2. lag time tL : the time
interval from the
centre of mass of
rainfall to the centre
of mass of
hydrograph,
3. tB : the time base of
the hydrograph

Timing of the hydrograph

i (mm/hr)
hydrograph analysis.
• It indicates the average
infiltration rate above

q (m3/s)
which the depth (or
volume) of rainfall is
equal to the depth (or
volume) of surface
runoff.
 Factors Influencing the Hydrograph
Watershed Characteristics such as
size, shape, slope, storage
Infiltration Characteristics
soil and land use and cover
Climatic Factors
– rainfall intensity and pattern
– aerial distribution
– duration
– type (rainfall vs snowmelt)
Time area concept (d= 1 cm of rainfall)
 Times to arrive outlet:
1 hr from A, 2 hrs from B
3 hrs from C, 4 hrs from D
 Base Flow Separation from the
Hydrograph
• The surface hydrograph is obtained from the total
storm hydrograph by separating the quick-
response flow from the slow response runoff.
• The base flow is to be deducted from the total
storm hydrograph to obtain the surface flow
hydrograph in three methods
• Simple method
• Approximate method
• Barnes method
 Simple method
• Draw a horizontal line from start of runoff to
intersection with recession limb (Point A).
• Extend from time of peak to intersect with
recession limb using a lag time, N.
N =0.83 A0.2
Where: A = the drainage area
in Km2 and N = days where
Point B can be located and
determine the end of
the direct runoff .
 Approximate method
• In this method the base flow curve existing
prior to the beginning of the surface runoff
is extended till it intersects the ordinate
drawn at the peak (point C in Fig, 6.5). This
point is joined to point B by a straight line.
• Segment AC and CB separate the base flow
and surface runoff.

Q
N
B
A

C
time
 Barnes Method
• 1-total hydrograph is plotted
on semi-log paper.
• 2-The end is extended
backwards up to point B.
• 3-B is connected to A. ABC
represents baseflow.
• 4-Subtract baseflow from
the hydrograph: SF+SSF (2)
• 5- extend F to D to obtain
EDF which represents
subsurface flow.
• 6-subtract EDF from (2) to
obtain surface flow (3)
 Unit hydrograph
• A unit hydrograph is defined as the hydrograph of
direct runoff resulting from one unit depth (1 cm) of
rainfall excess occurring uniformly over the basin
and at a uniform rate for a specified duration (D
hours).
• The term unit here refers to a unit depth of rainfall
excess which is usually taken as 1 cm.
• The duration, being a very important characteristic,
is used as indication to a specific unit hydrograph.
Thus one has a 6-h unit hydrograph, 12-h unit
hydrograph, etc. and in general a D-h unit
hydrograph applicable to a given catchment.
 Unit hydrograph
• There are five assumptions for the unit hydrograph
theory.
• Excess rainfall is uniformly distributed within a
specified period of time. (short duration)
• Excess rainfall is uniformly distributed within the
basin area. (small basins <5000km2)
• Base time of direct runoff is constant for a specified
duration of rainfall. (tb is unknown, separation)
• Ordinates of the direct runoff hydrograph of a
specified duration rainfall are directly proportional to
the total amount (depth) of direct runoff (= amount
of excess precipitation). (summation or superposition
is possible
• UH is unique for a basin. (unit hydrograph is
invariable, weakest assumption)
• After these assumptions, UH theory states that the
hydrologic system is linear and time-invariant.
• The unit hydrograph is denoted as d Uht
d: the depth (cm) of direct runoff (depth of net rainfall)
t: the duration (hr) of excess rainfall,
d in mm, t in min
The depth of flow for a hydrograph >> the area under
the hydrograph.
 Derivation of the unit hydrograph
• Study rainfall records to select storms giving reasonably
high excess rainfall depths (= direct runoff depths).
• Separate direct runoff from the other components in
the selected storm hydrographs.
• Determine the volume and depth of direct runoff for
each hydrograph.
• Determine the φ-index to find the duration of excess
rainfall, which gives the duration of the hydrograph (tr).
• Divide ordinates of each of the direct runoff hydrograph
by the corresponding DR depth to obtain the UHs
• Obtain the same duration UHs from different duration
UHs.
 Unit Hydrographs of Different Durations
There are two methods to obtain UHs of different durations for a
basin when a UH of certain duration is known
The lagging method
• A UH of certain duration can easily be obtained by using the
lagging method if a UH of different duration is known for the
basin.
• The only condition is that the durations be multiples of each
other
S - curve method
• It is used to obtain UHs of different durations that are not
multiples of each other.
• S-curve is the hydrograph that would result from an infinite series
of UHs of tr durations, each delayed tr hours wrt the preceding
one.
The lagging method
S - curve method
S - curve method