Scribd
Upload
2K views5 pages

Runoff Calculation Examples and Formulas

This document provides 7 examples of calculating runoff and discharge from watersheds using various formulas: 1. It calculates annual runoff and runoff coefficient for a catchment using monthly rainfall and temperature data. 2. It computes a weighted runoff coefficient for a watershed based on land use and topography characteristics. 3. It determines the discharge required to design a drainage system for an airport using rainfall intensity formulas. 4. It estimates the 25-year discharge for a culvert across a stream using rainfall intensity, runoff coefficient, and watershed area. 5. It calculates the time of concentration for a 306 ha watershed using length and slope parameters. 6.

Uploaded by

nimcan
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2K views5 pages

Runoff Calculation Examples and Formulas

This document provides 7 examples of calculating runoff and discharge from watersheds using various formulas: 1. It calculates annual runoff and runoff coefficient for a catchment using monthly rainfall and temperature data. 2. It computes a weighted runoff coefficient for a watershed based on land use and topography characteristics. 3. It determines the discharge required to design a drainage system for an airport using rainfall intensity formulas. 4. It estimates the 25-year discharge for a culvert across a stream using rainfall intensity, runoff coefficient, and watershed area. 5. It calculates the time of concentration for a 306 ha watershed using length and slope parameters. 6.

Uploaded by

nimcan
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Example #1 - Calculation of Runoff
  • Example #4 - Culvert Design for Stream Drainage
  • Example #3 - Drainage System Design
  • Example #5 - Time of Concentration Calculation
  • Example #6 - Runoff Calculation for Town
  • Example #7 - W-Index Calculation

Example Problems on Runoff

Example #1: For a given catchment, the mean monthly rainfall and temperatures are given.
Calculate the annual runoff and annual runoff coefficient by Khosla`s formula.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
T (°C) 12 16 21 27 31 34 31 29 28 29 19 14
P (cm) 4 4 2 0 2 12 32 29 16 2 1 2

Solution
In Khosla`s formula (Eq. 8)
Rm = Pm – Lm
If the loss Lm is higher than Pm then Rm is taken to be zero.
The value of Rm calculated by Eq. 8 are

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Rm 0 0 0 0 0 0 17.1 15.1 2.6 0 0 0
(cm)
Annual runoff = Total = 17.1 + 15.1 + 2.6 = 34.8 cm
Annual runoff 34.8
Annual runoff coefficient    0.30
Annual ra inf all 116

Example #2: Compute the value of weighted runoff coefficient of watershed from the following
data regarding watershed characteristics.

Land use and Cultivated Pasture land Populated


topography land Rolling and sandy land
Flat, sandy soil flat, sandy
soil soil
Area (ha) 100 30 75
Solution
Using the weighted runoff coefficient formula
C1 a1  C 2 a 2  C3 a3
C
a1  a 2  a3
In which, the values of C1 are obtained from the above table, for a given land use and
topographical feature of the watershed. The calculation is shown in the following table.

Land use/ topography Area (ha) C Computation


1. Cultivated land +
flat topography + 100 0.30
sandy soil
C1 a1  C 2 a 2  C3 a3
2. Pasture land + 30 0.16 C
rolling topography + a1  a 2  a3
sandy soil 100  0.30  30  0.16  75  0.40
75 0.40 
100  30 75
3. Populated land +
flat topography +  0.32
sandy loam soil

Example #3: An engineer is required to design a drainage system for an airport with an area of
2.5 km2 for 50 years return period. The 50-year rainfall intensity in that region is given by
35
I 
t  100.38
where I is intensity in cm/h and t is duration in minutes.

If the concentration time for the area is estimated as 50 minutes, what is discharge that must be
used to design the system?

Solution
Concentration time tc = 50 min
35 35 35
Intensity of rainfall for this duration = I     7.384 cm / h
t  10 0.38
60 0.38
4.74

Since the airport is fully paved, it may be considered impervious and the runoff coefficient C
may be taken as unity. Therefore
Q  2.778 CAI  2.778  1  2.5  7.384  51.25 m 3 / s
Therefore the engineer must design the drainage system for a discharge of 51.28 m3/s.

Example #4: A culvert is proposed across stream drainage an area of 185 ha. The catchment has
a slope of 0.004 and the length of travel for water is 1150 m. Estimate the 25-year discharge if
the rainfall intensity is given by
1000Tr 0.2
I 
t  200.7
where I is in mm/h, Tr is in years and t is in minutes. Assume a runoff coefficient of 0.35.
Solution
L = 1150 m
S = 0.004
t c  0.01951150 0.0040.385  37.2 min utes
0.77

1000 25
0.2
I   112.05 mm / h  11.205 cm / h
37.2  200.7
A = 185 ha = 1.85 km2
C = 0.35
Q  2.778  0.35  1.85  11.205  20.12 m 3 / s

Example #5: Calculate the time of concentration of 306 ha land of watershed, if the maximum
length of drainage course is 350 m and effective slope of water course is about 4 m/ 100 m.
Solution
Given that, L = 350 m
S = 4/ 100

 Time of concentratin (Tc )  0.02 L0.77  S  0.385.


 0.385
 4 
 0.02 350   
0.77

 100 
 6.82 min utes
Since the above relationship does not give the accurate estimate for the small watershed smaller
than 5 sq. km. Haan et al (1982) proposed another relationship. He justified that, small
watersheds are mainly dominated by overland flow rather than channel flow. Incorporating this
effect, he formulated the following equation for computing the time of concentration which is
basically the addition of overland flow component in the above equation.
0.467
 0.385
2L n 
Tc  0.02 L 0.77
S  0 
 S0 
where, L0 = length of overland flow, m
n = Manning’s roughness coefficient (Tab.)
S0 = Slope along the flow path, m/m
Example #6: An outlet is to be designed for a small town covering 12 km2, of which road area is
30 %, residential area is 50 % and the rest is industrial area. The slope of the catchment is 0.005
and the maximum length of the town measured on the map is 1.6 km. From depth duration
analysis for the catchment, the following informations are obtained.

Rainfall duration (min) 30 40 50


Rainfall depth (mm) 30 40 44

Solution
Time of concentration can be calculated from Kirpich equation
tc = 0.02 L0.77 S-0.385 = 0.00  16000.77  0.005-0.385 = 45 min

Rainfall for tc = 45 min is computaed by interpolating data given in the problem.


i.e. 40 45 50
40 ? 44
50  40 44  40 10 4
    10?  40  20  10 ?  400  20  ?  42 mm
45  40 ?  40 5 ?  40

 I = 42 mm within 45 min = 56 mm/h


From Table 5.2, C for road is 0.8, for residential area is 0.40 and for industrial area is 0.20.

0.8 0.312  0.4 0.512   0.2 0.2 12


 Composite C 
12

= 0.24 + 0.20 + 0.04 = 0.48

0.48  56  12
 QP   89.6 m3 / s
3.6
Example #7: The rainfall rates for successive 30-minutes interval up to 3-hours are given as
under. Calculate the -index and W-indices, assuming that surface runoff is 3.6 cm.
Time (minute) 0 30 60 90 120 150 180
Rainfall rate (cm/s) 0 1.6 3.6 5.0 2.8 2.2 1.0
Solution:
1. Computation of -index
2. Let ‘I’ is the rainfall intensity. Then surface runoff = ( I - )  t
Total runoff =  ( I - )  t
Thus, substituting the value of ‘I’ and ‘t’, we have,
 30 
3.6 3.6     5     2.8     2.2    60 
  = 1.6 cm/h 

Computation of W-index

P  1.6  3.6  5.0  2.8  2.2  1.0


30
 8.1 cm
60
Q = 3.6 cm
S=0
Tr = 3 hour = 180 minutes

8.1  3.6  0
W   0.025 cm / min
180

Common questions

Powered by AI

Inaccurate time of concentration estimations can severely impact stormwater system design as they affect peak discharge calculations. Underestimation might lead to smaller-than-needed infrastructure, incapable of managing peak flows, resulting in system overflow and flooding. Overestimation might lead to oversized, costlier systems not economically justified. Accurate estimations ensure optimal design balancing capacity, costs, and reliability, crucial for sustainable urban and rural water management .

The -index represents the constant rate of rainfall excess leading to runoff over a specified period, used to separate precipitation into baseflow and direct runoff fractions. The W-index, however, accounts for total surface runoff volume over a given period, utilizing the actual measured runoff. While both indices serve to quantify abstractions for hydrological modeling, the -index assumes a constant rate, while the W-index gives a more dynamic representation of infiltration and runoff processes, crucial for accurate watershed analysis .

A composite runoff coefficient represents the combined effect of different land uses within a catchment area on runoff generation. For a small town, this involves calculating individual runoff coefficients for various land uses such as residential, road, and industrial areas, and weighting them by their relative areas. This comprehensive value is important because it provides a single, effective coefficient for hydrologic calculations, ensuring the outlet is designed to accommodate the mixed land-use effects accurately .

Khosla's formula calculates the annual runoff coefficient by determining the difference between the mean monthly precipitation (Pm) and mean monthly losses (Lm) for each month. If Lm exceeds Pm, the runoff (Rm) is set to zero. The annual runoff coefficient is then derived from the total calculated runoff over the year. Critical parameters include monthly temperature and precipitation data, as well as calculated runoff values .

The weighted runoff coefficient for a watershed is determined by using the formula: C = (a1C1 + a2C2 + a3C3)/(a1 + a2 + a3), where a1, a2, a3 are areas with different land uses and C1, C2, C3 are their respective runoff coefficients. Areas and coefficients are determined based on the characteristics such as land use and topography. For instance, cultivated land with flat and sandy soil might have a different coefficient compared to pasture land with rolling and sandy soil .

Interpolating rainfall intensity for specific concentration times helps predict peak flows and manage stormwater systems effectively. Knowing the intensity allows engineers to calculate discharge levels for stormwater infrastructure, ensuring they can handle peak conditions. When concentration time falls between known data points, interpolation enables an accurate estimate of intensity, facilitating better design of retention, detention, and conveyance systems to prevent flooding and infrastructure damage .

Rainfall intensity, which varies with time and return period, directly influences the peak discharge calculation for a culvert. For instance, given a rainfall intensity formula depending on time and return period, one can calculate the expected high intensity for specific conditions. This intensity, combined with the runoff coefficient and area, forms the basis for calculating discharge through Q = C * I * A formula. Proper discharge estimation is essential for designing a culvert that can manage expected peak flows during heavy rainfall events .

Manning's roughness coefficient (n) and slope (S0) from overland flow are critical in calculating the time of concentration for small watersheds because they characterize the flow resistance and gradient along the flow path, respectively. A higher roughness coefficient means more resistance which increases time of concentration, whereas a steeper slope decreases it. These factors are integrated into equations such as the Kirpich equation or modified versions to accurately estimate the flow time, affecting watershed hydrology and infrastructure planning .

Concentration time, the time it takes for water to travel from the farthest point in a catchment to the outlet, is crucial in determining the peak runoff and hence the capacity needed for drainage systems. For an airport, where the area is considered impervious, the concentration time helps calculate the intensity of rainfall and the corresponding peak discharge to design an appropriate drainage system. A correct estimation ensures the system can handle peak discharges during extreme events .

The slope of a catchment, land area, and rainfall duration are interlinked in determining drainage capacity as they influence the time of concentration and peak discharge. A steeper slope generally reduces concentration time, increasing the speed of runoff, while larger areas collect more moisture, potentially escalating discharge rates. Extended rainfall durations can elevate cumulative rainfall intensities impacting infrastructure. Proper capacity calculations ensure the drainage system can manage variable flow rates during prolonged storm events and prevent flooding .

Example Problems on Runoff Example #1: For a given catchment, the mean monthly rainfall and temperatures are given. Calcula
In which, the values of C1 are obtained from the above table, for a given land use and topographical feature of the watershe
  7.0 2.0 20 1000   t Tr I where I is in mm/h, Tr is in years and t is in minutes. Assume a runoff coefficient of 0.3
where, L0 = length of overland flow, m n = Manning’s roughness coefficient (Tab.) S0 = Slope along the flow path, m
Example #7: The rainfall rates for successive 30-minutes interval up to 3-hours are given as under. Calculate the -index an

You might also like