Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Learning Outcome :
Definition of direct runoff and baseflow Calculate direct runoff from data of stream flow and base flow Definition of hydrograph Explain stream flow hydrograph and direct runoff hydrograph Calculate volume of direct runoff depth runoff hydrograph Calculate the direct runoff depth based on volume of direct runoff and catchment width.
DIRECT RUNOFF
It is that part of the runoff which enters the stream immediately after the rainfall. Include : surface runoff, prompt interflow and rainfall on the surface of the stream. Direct Runoff (DRO) is the sum of surface runoff and
interflow
Interflow is the water that travels laterally or horizontally through the zone of aeration (vadose zone) without reaching the water table during or immediately after a precipitation event and discharges directly into a stream or other body of water
BASEFLOW
The delayed flow that reaches a stream essentially as groundwater flow called base flow. In the annual hydrograph of a perennial stream the base flow is easily recognized as the slowly decreasing flow of the stream in rainless periods.
Streams can be classified based on the flow of water in the channel. Perennial streams : flow continuously with inputs from groundwater. A perennial stream is one which always carries some flow. Even during the dry seasons the water table will be bed of the stream. Intermittent streams : flow for at least one month a year, typically in response to seasonally generated runoff. Ephemeral streams : generally flow only after storm events. Ephemeral streams do not intersect the water table
Calculate direct runoff from data of stream flow and base flow
Example : Obtain a Direct Runoff for a basin of 315 km2 of area using the base flow and stream flow data tabulated below : Given, base flow = 100 m3/s
Time (h)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Stream Flow(m3/s)
100 100 300 700 1000 800 600 400 300 200 100 100
Solution :
Time (h) Stream Flow (m3/s) Base Flow (m3/s) Direct Runoff Hydrograph (DRH) (m3/s) 0 0 200 600 900 700 500 300
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9
10 11
300 200
100 100
100 100
100 100
200 100
0 0
Definition of Hydrograph
In hydrologic terms, a graph showing the water level (stage), discharge, or other property of a river volume with respect to time.
FACTORS AFFECTING DISCHARGE : Amount and type of rainfall Temperature Previous weather conditions Relief Drainage Density Rock Type Soil Land Use Slope
STREAM FLOW HYDROGRAPH A graph of discharge, or of the level of water in a river throughout a period of time Hydrographs can be plotted for hours, days, or even months. A storm hydrograph is plotted after a rainstorm to record the effect on the river of the storm event
RUNOFF HYDROGRAPH
A hydrograph is a plot of river discharge versus time. A stage hydrograph of a stream can be transformed into a discharge hydrograph using a rating curve. A streamflow hydrograph comprises overland flow, interflow and baseflow generated by precipitation flows. A hydrograph resulting from a single precipitation storm is known as a storm hydrograph.
3 Discharge (m3/s) 2 1
12
24
36
48
30
72
3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4
12
24
36
48
30
72
3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4
12
24
36
48
30
72
3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4
12
24
36
48
30
72
Peak flow
Peak flow
3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4
12
24
36
48
30
72
Peak flow
3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4
12
24
36
48
30
72
3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4
Time difference between the peak of the rain storm and the peak flow of the river
12
24
36
48
30
72
Base flow
Peak flow
3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4
Base flow
12
24
36
48
30
72
Peak flow
3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4
12
24
36
48
30
72
Rising limb: The rising limb of hydrograph, also known as concentration curve represents the increase in discharge due to the gradual building up of storage in channels and over the catchment surface. Recession limb: The recession limb extends from the point of inflection at the end of the crest segment to the commencement of the natural groundwater flow (baseflow). It represents the withdrawal of water from the storage built up in the basin during the earlier phases of the hydrograph. Peak discharge: the highest point on the hydrograph when there is the greatest amount of water in the river Lag time: the time interval from the center of mass of rainfall excess to the peak of the resulting hydrograph Time to peak: time interval from the start of runoff to the peak of the resulting hydrograph Discharge: volume of water in a river at a given time