Reservoir Routing with the Level Pool Method
Solution Procedure
Level pool routing consists of two main components:
1. Develop the storage-outflow function, Q vs. 2S/Δt + Q
2. Route the inflow hydrograph through the reservoir using the discrete form of the continuity
equation
2S j 1 2S j
Q j 1 I j I j 1 Q j
t t
Steps to develop storage-outflow function
1. Determine the Q-H relation. This relation will be given based on measured outflow or
calculated using the features of the outflow structure(s), e.g. orifice and/or weir equations.
2. Determine the S-H relation using the reservoir geometry.
3. Find 2S/Δt + Q using the results of the first two steps (note: Δt is determined by the inflow
hydrograph).
Comments:
Watch units for Δt! Q is usually in cfs; therefore S must be in ft3 and Δt in s.
If Q increases faster than 2S/Δt, the solution will become unstable. In this situation, reduce
Δt.
Steps to route hydrograph (computations occur at the j+1 step)
1. Calculate I j I j 1
2S j
2. If j+1 = 2, calculate Q j , i.e. for the previous step (if the basin is empty and there
t
is no outflow, the value will be zero). After j+1 = 2, this step is not necessary.
2S j 1 2S j
3. Calculate Q j 1 I j I j 1 Q j
t t
CE 460/560 Level Pool Routing 1
4. Linearly interpolate the value for Qj+1 using the value from the previous step and storage-
outflow function. Once Qj+1 is found, the depth in the reservoir H can be found by
interpolating the Q-H relation or direct calculation, if an equation is available.
2S j 1 2S j 1
5. Calculate Q j 1 Q j 1 2Q j 1 . This value is needed for the next time
t t
step, (j+2), and replaces step 2.
Review of Linear Interpolation
Given pairs of known values (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), the interpolated value for y corresponding to a
given value of x where x1 ≤ x ≤ x2 is
y 2 y1
y y1 x x1
x2 x1
y2
y1
x1 x2
CE 460/560 Level Pool Routing 2