4 Runoff Estimation SCS CN
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sohaib ahmed4 Runoff Estimation SCS CN
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sohaib ahmedRunoff Estimation
Curve Number Method
The Soil Conservation Service (SCS, 1972) method (US Dept. of Agriculture, 1985)
has been used to predict the total volume of runoff that may come from a watershed
during a design flood and to predict the total annual runoff volume for daily rainfall,
during a certain time period (a number of years). In this method, runoff producing
capability is expressed by a numerical value varying between 0 - 100.
The SCS Runoff Curve Number (CN) is an empirical description for infiltration and
rainfall excess. The SCS runoff equation is:
where Q = runoff (mm); P = rainfall (mm); Ia = initial abstraction of rainfall by soil
and vegetation (mm); S = potential maximum retention and recharge capacity of
watershed after runoff begins (mm).
By removing Ia as an independent parameter:
Or in other cases Ia = 0.3 x S
runoff is:
Or
The parameter S is related to soil and cover conditions of the watershed through the
Curve Number:
where CN = Curve Number, CN is found out from a table.
Where
CN = weighted curve number. CNi = curve number from 1 to any no. N. Ai = area
with curve number CNi. A = the total area of the watershed.
Runoff volume of the catchment has been calculated using the following formula:
where Qv = runoff volume (m3); Q = runoff depth (mm); A = catchment area (ha)
The SCS-CN method has been applied to estimate daily and yearly surface runoff
volume.
Remote sensing data (aerial photographs and satellite data) is used, in conjunction
with other types of data (field data, laboratory analysis, bibliography) to estimate the
Curve Numbers.
The land use/ land cover map and soil map are intersected in command tools of
ARC/Info. The areas of different land use class and soil combinations are obtained in
the attributes selection menu by using logical expression and accordingly different CN
(Curve-Number) values were assigned. Thus weighted value of CN for the whole
watershed is worked out.
Runoff Curve Numbers
The following table of runoff curve numbers (CN) has been condensed from Tables 2-
2(a-d) of SCS (1986), which is an exhaustive listing of runoff curve numbers. The
hydrologic soil group refers to the infiltration potential of the soil after prolonged
wetting.
Group A Soils: High infiltration (low runoff). Sand, loamy sand, or sandy loam.
Infiltration rate > 0.3 inch/hr when wet.
Group B Soils: Moderate infiltration (moderate runoff). Silt loam or loam.
Infiltration rate 0.15 to 0.3 inch/hr when wet.
Group C Soils: Low infiltration (moderate to high runoff). Sandy clay loam.
Infiltration rate 0.05 to 0.15 inch/hr when wet.
Group D Soils: Very low infiltration (high runoff). Clay loam, silty clay loam,
sandy clay, silty clay, or clay. Infiltration rate 0 to 0.05 inch/hr when wet.
Table of Runoff Curve Numbers (SCS, 1986)
Description of Land Use Hydrologic Soil Group
A B C D
Paved parking lots, roofs, driveways 98 98 98 98
Streets and Roads:
Paved with curbs and storm sewers 98 98 98 98
Gravel 76 85 89 91
Dirt 72 82 87 89
Cultivated (Agricultural Crop) Land*:
Without conservation treatment (no terraces) 72 81 88 91
With conservation treatment (terraces, contours) 62 71 78 81
Pasture or Range Land:
Poor (<50% ground cover or heavily grazed) 68 79 86 89
Good (50-75% ground cover; not heavily
39 61 74 80
grazed)
Meadow (grass, no grazing, mowed for hay) 30 58 71 78
Brush (good, >75% ground cover) 30 48 65 73
Woods and Forests:
Poor (small trees/brush destroyed by over-
45 66 77 83
grazing or burning)
Fair (grazing but not burned; some brush) 36 60 73 79
Good (no grazing; brush covers ground) 30 55 70 77
Open Spaces (lawns, parks, golf courses, cemeteries, etc.):
Fair (grass covers 50-75% of area) 49 69 79 84
Good (grass covers >75% of area) 39 61 74 80
Commercial and Business Districts (85%
89 92 94 95
impervious)
Industrial Districts (72% impervious) 81 88 91 93
Residential Areas:
1/8 Acre lots, about 65% impervious 77 85 90 92
1/4 Acre lots, about 38% impervious 61 75 83 87
1/2 Acre lots, about 25% impervious 54 70 80 85
1 Acre lots, about 20% impervious 51 68 79 84
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