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Hydrographs Chapter 6

Hydrographs are graphical representations of river flow rates over time, essential for analyzing watershed responses to rainfall and managing water resources. Factors such as rainfall intensity, catchment area characteristics, and soil types significantly affect flood hydrographs. Various methods, including unit hydrographs and synthetic hydrographs, are utilized to predict runoff and assess flood risks based on historical data and theoretical parameters.

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7 views16 pages

Hydrographs Chapter 6

Hydrographs are graphical representations of river flow rates over time, essential for analyzing watershed responses to rainfall and managing water resources. Factors such as rainfall intensity, catchment area characteristics, and soil types significantly affect flood hydrographs. Various methods, including unit hydrographs and synthetic hydrographs, are utilized to predict runoff and assess flood risks based on historical data and theoretical parameters.

Uploaded by

Maxene Joy Pasiliao
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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HYDROGRAPHS

CHAPTER - 6
GROUP - 5
INTRODUCTION
Definition: Hydrographs are graphical
representations of the flow rate (discharge) of a river
or stream over time.

Importance: Hydrographs are crucial tools in


hydrology and water resources management. They
help engineers and hydrologists analyze watershed
responses to rainfall events, assess flood risks, and
manage water supply.
FACTORS AFFECTING FLOOD HYDROGRAPHS

Rainfall Intensity and Duration: Strong, short storms can cause quick rises
in river levels, while steady, long rains can lead to saturation and delayed
runoff.
Catchment Area Characteristics: Factors such as area size, topography
(slope and shape), and human land-use practices (urbanization,
deforestation) significantly influence how water flows into streams.
Soil Characteristics: Soil type, infiltration rate, and moisture content
determine how much rain soaks into the ground versus runs off into
waterways.
Storage Effects: The presence of lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, and other
storage features can delay peak flow by temporarily absorbing excess
runoff.
COMPONENTS OF A HYDROGRAPH
(Ascending Limb)
The initial increase in discharge following rainfall.
Represents the accumulation of runoff reaching the river.
The steepness depends on rainfall intensity, soil infiltration, and land use.
(Crest Segment)
The highest point on the hydrograph, indicating the maximum flow.
Occurs when the river reaches its highest level due to the rainfall event.
Higher peaks suggest more intense rainfall or reduced infiltration.
(Recession Limb)
The decrease in discharge after the peak.
Represents water draining away from the river channel and returning to
base flow.
A gradual slope indicates slow drainage, while a steep slope suggests rapid
runoff.
BASE FLOW SEPARATION

Method 1 - Straight-Line Method: A straight line is drawn from the beginning of


surface runoff to the end of direct runoff on the recession limb.
Definition: A method that separates base flow by connecting the start and end
points of direct runoff with a straight line.

Method 2: The base flow curve before the storm is extended forward until it
intersects the vertical line at the peak.
Definition: A method that assumes base flow continues unchanged until the
peak, extending the pre-event base flow curve.

Method 3: The base flow recession curve after the flood is extended backward until it
meets the inflection point.
Definition: A method that assumes base flow resumes a natural recession
pattern after peak runoff, extending it backward.
EFFECTIVE RAINFALL (ER)

Definition: Effective Rainfall is the portion of total


rainfall that contributes to surface runoff after
subtracting losses from evaporation, infiltration, and
interception.
Calculation Methods: Tools such as the SCS Curve
Number method help estimate effective rainfall based
on land cover and soil characteristics.
Importance: Understanding ER is crucial for designing
drainage systems and predicting flood events
effectively.
UNIT HYDROGRAPH (UH)

Definition: A Unit Hydrograph represents the response


of a watershed to a unit (typically 1 inch or cm) of
rainfall occurring uniformly over the area for a
specified duration.
Properties: The unit hydrograph varies with duration
and watershed characteristics and is used to develop
streamflow forecasts for various storm scenarios.
Applications: Used widely in flood modeling and
hydrological simulation to convert rainfall into runoff.
DERIVATION OF UNIT HYDROGRAPHS

Data Required: Historical data on rainfall and runoff


for the watershed is necessary for accurate derivation.
Methods: Methods include the SCS method, graphical
methods, and statistical analyses. Each produces a
consistent hydrograph for various storm events based
on observed data.
Importance: Deriving unit hydrographs allows
engineers to predict the impacts of different
precipitation events on streamflow.
UNIT HYDROGRAPHS OF DIFFERENT DURATIONS

A unit hydrograph represents the runoff response


of a watershed to one unit of rainfall over a specific
duration (D hours). However, in real-life situations,
storms vary in duration, so we often need unit
hydrographs for different durations. If data is
limited, we can create hydrographs of longer
durations from a known D-hour unit hydrograph
using two methods:
UNIT HYDROGRAPHS OF DIFFERENT DURATIONS

1. Method of Superposition
If a longer duration unit hydrograph (e.g., 2D, 3D) is needed, the D-hour unit hydrograph is
added to itself at intervals of D hours.
This method assumes that multiple storms of the same intensity occur consecutively, and
their effects add up.
Example: To create a 2D-hour unit hydrograph, two D-hour unit hydrographs are overlapped
and summed with a time lag of D hours.

2. S-Curve Method
A special type of hydrograph called an S-curve (S-hydrograph) is used to create unit
hydrographs of any duration.
The S-curve is formed by continuously adding a D-hour unit hydrograph at D-hour intervals.
To derive a unit hydrograph of a new duration (nD hours), the S-curve is adjusted and
differentiated accordingly.
This method is more flexible and allows for unit hydrographs of any required duration, even if
direct data is unavailable.
USE AND LIMITATIONS OF UNIT HYDROGRAPH

Uses: Unit hydrographs simplify the calculation of


runoff from multiple rainfall events, making them
invaluable for flood risk assessment, urban drainage
design, and stormwater management.

Limitations: They assume linearity (i.e., that the


watershed's response is proportional to rainfall),
which may not hold true under certain conditions,
particularly in urban settings or during extreme
storms.
DURATION OF THE UNIT HYDROGRAPH

Significance: The duration impacts how quickly


and intensely runoff occurs. Short durations
result in sharper peaks, while longer durations
may smooth out the hydrograph.
Practical Considerations: Understanding how
duration affects the hydrograph is critical for
engineers in designing flood control structures
and ensuring adequate drainage.
DISTRIBUTION GRAPH

Description: Distribution graphs visualize


the statistical properties of hydrographs,
helping to understand discharge
frequency and potential flood risks.
Uses: Helps to evaluate the return period of
certain discharge levels, vital for planning
and design in flood-prone areas.
SYNTHETIC UNIT HYDROGRAPH

Definition: A synthetic unit hydrograph is


constructed based on theoretical or average
hydrological parameters rather than empirical
data.
Applications: Useful in regions without
sufficient historical data, allowing for
preliminary assessments in watershed
management.
INSTANTANEOUS UNIT HYDROGRAPH (IUH)

Definition: IUH models the immediate


response of a watershed to an instantaneous
rainfall event, often useful for short-
duration rainfall scenarios.
Importance: Critical for rapid event
estimation in flood modeling, especially
when precise timing is necessary for
emergency response.
THANK YOU

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