CHAPTER 7

FLOW ROUTING
Definition of Flood Routing
Flood routing is the technique or procedure to determine the flood
hydrograph at a section of a river or channel by using the data of
flood flow at one or more u/s sections
 Definition of Flood Routing
o Due to the friction and storage effect of channel, the peak of the Outflow
hydrograph will be Smaller than that of the Inflow hydrograph.

o The reduction in the peak value is Called attenuation .

o The peak of the outflow occurs after the peak of the inflow. The
time difference between the 2 peaks is called lag.
 Uses of Flood Routing

• It establishes peak of flood at d/s

• Effect of construction of reservoir (how much attenuation
due to the construction of reservoir)
• For flood protection ( to fix the ht of embankment)
• Spillway design
Techniques Used in Flood Routing

Two basic techniques are used in Flood Routing

Hydrologic Routing (also called Lumped Routing)

- Discharge (Q) is determined at a particular location
- Q is a function of time only at a particular location (x)
- This routing is governed by continuity equation

Hydraulic Routing (or Distributed Routing)

-Discharge is a function of space and time throughout the
system Q = f(x,t)
-Governed by continuity and momentum equations
 Flood Routing Techniques
Hydrologic Routing
• Is related to hydrology where we see what is the inflow, what is the
outflow and what is the change in storage
• We use the continuity equation.
• I-Q = Change in storage
• I-Q = ds/dt= Rate of change of storage
• In Hydraulic Routing
• Continuity & Momentum equations are used. This two equations
are also called st. Vennant equation
• Example Open Channel Flow where Continuity & Momentum
equations are used.
 Flood Routing Techniques
Hydrologic Routing is again divided in two types
• Storage (Reservoir) Routing
• Channel Routing
• In reservoirs, we provide spillways where we have to find
out the discharge or determine the outflow hydrograph
• We called it storage routing
 Flood Routing Techniques
In Channel Routing
• If there is a river channel, we consider different reaches
(portion of river between 2 sections)
• We determine the change of discharge at regular time
interval between the reach (Qt)
 Flood Routing Techniques

3 methods are used for storage routing to make outflow

hydrograph. They are
(1) Modified Pul’s Method
(2) Goodrich Method
(3) Standard 4th order Runge Kutta Method
First 2 are graphical methods & 3rd one is numerical method.

To solve channel Routing Muskingum Methods are used

 Basic equation : Inflow –outflow relationship

• The continuity equation states that the difference between

the inflow & outflow rate is equal to the rate of change of
storage.

• It is applicable for both reservoir & channel routing

• The continuity equation is expressed as

• I-Q = ds/dt ……….(1) where

• I =Inflow rate, Q = Outflow rate s = storage volume

 Basic equation : Inflow –outflow relationship

• Considering the continuity equation for a small interval of

time Δt,

• the difference between the total inflow volume & total

outflow volume in a reach is equal to the change in storage
in that reach
 Basic equation : Inflow –outflow relationship
I t − Q t = S
……….(2)
where Ī = Average inflow in time Δt
Ǭ = Average outflow in time Δt
By taking I =
I1 + I 2 , Q = Q1 + Q2 & S = S 2 − S1
2 2

Where suffix 1 & 2 denote the beginning & end of the time interval Δt

So from equation (2) I1 + I 2  Q1 + Q2  …..(3)

( ) t −   t = S 2 − S1
2  2 

This equation expresses the basic relationship between inflow & outflow
For flood routing in reservoir & channel flow.
 Basic equation : Inflow –outflow relationship
𝐼1 + 𝐼2 𝑄1 + 𝑄2
( )Δ𝑡 − Δ𝑡 = 𝑆2 − 𝑆1
2 2

𝐼1 + 𝐼2 𝑄1 Δ𝑡 𝑄2 Δ𝑡
Δ𝑡 + 𝑆1 − = 𝑆2 +
2 2 2

2𝑆2 2𝑆1
( + 𝑄2 ) = (𝐼1 + 𝐼2 ) + − 𝑄1
Δ𝑡 Δ𝑡

Where RHS is known part where as LHS are unknown

This method is known as Goodrich equation for reservoir routing

If the above equation is divided by 2/t , Then the equation becomes

modified Pul’s method. 𝑄 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 𝑄
2 Δ𝑡 1 Δ𝑡
𝑆2 + = Δ𝑡 + 𝑆1 −
2 2 2

In this way we find out Q2

 Following steps are used for solution of Goodrich equation
1. Choose suitable time interval t which is equal to 20 to 40% time of rise of inflow
hydrograph
2𝑆
2. Plot 2 graphical relationship one between + 𝑄 𝑎𝑛𝑑 reservoir elevation and
Δ𝑡
another between the discharge (Q) and reservoir elevation on the same graph

2𝑆 2𝑆1
3. At the start of the routing, ( Δ𝑡2 + 𝑄2 ) = (𝐼1 + 𝐼2 ) + Δ𝑡
− 𝑄1 RHS part is known
2𝑆2
The RHS part is known, so from known RHS compute LHS part ( Δ𝑡 + 𝑄2 )
2 2𝑆
4. From the value Δ𝑡 + 𝑄2 )find the elevation from the graph and from Elevation –Discharge
(
curve, read outflow rate from computed elevation (2𝑆2 + 𝑄2 ) = (𝐼1 + 𝐼2 ) +
2𝑆1
− 𝑄1
Δ𝑡 Δ𝑡
5. Now the equation used for next step as
2𝑆1 2𝑆2
− 𝑄1 is obtain by subtracting 2Q from + 𝑄2
Δ𝑡 Δ𝑡

2𝑆1 2𝑆2
− 𝑄1 = + 𝑄2 -2Q2
Δ𝑡 Δ𝑡
Goodrich method of Flood Routing
 2𝑆2
Calculate ( + 𝑄2 ) for the 1st time interval by using the
Δ𝑡
equation 2𝑆2 2𝑆1
( + 𝑄2 ) = (𝐼1 + 𝐼2 ) + − 𝑄1
Δ𝑡 Δ𝑡
where the values I1, I2 and Q1 are taken from
2𝑆1
available data and − 𝑄1 𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 at step (3) are
Δ𝑡
known
2𝑆2
Now, find the reservoir elevation and Q for ( + 𝑄2 ) from the
Δ𝑡
plot and calculate (2S/Δt-Q) for the next time increment

Keep repeating the procedure till the entire flood is routed

Storage Routing (Reservoir Routing)

If we know
Storage Volume V/s Elevation
Storage Volume V/s Q (outflow)
Water Surface Elevation V/s Q (outflow)
Inflow hydrograph
Initial Values of S, I and Q at time t=0, then
If we know all these, we can route the outflow for different
time duration Q2
Example
A water reservoir has the following characteristics
Elevation Storage Outflow (Discharge)
100 3.50 0
101.00 4.00 10
102.00 5.00 60
102.50 5.5 90
103.00 6.00 125
When the reservoir level was 101.00, a flood with the following flood hydrograph entered
the reservoir.
Time (hr) 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42
Discharge (m3/s) 10 15 25 40 28 18 13 11
Given, Outflow at time t=0, Q1= 10, route the flow hydrograph to obtain outflow
hydrograph by using Goodrich and modified Pul's method
 Linear Reservoir Routing
A reservoir in which the storage is directly proportional to
the discharge i e S 
Q or S = KQ.
This element is used to attenuation to a flood wave
Routing : At the outlet of a linear reservoir
S = KQ where K = storage time constant
K can be estimated by considering point of inflection(Pi) of a surface
run off hydrograph. At this point, the inflow into the channel has
stopped & beyond this point the flow is entirely due to withdrawal from
the storage. From continuity equation (at point of inflection)
ds
, I −Q =
dt
ds ds d (KQ )
0 −Q = or − Q = =
dt dt dt
 Linear Reservoir Routing
ds d (KQ ) dQ
−Q = = =K
dt dt dt or
Qi
K =−
dQ
( )i
dt

Where suffix i refers to the point of inflection

K can be estimated from known surface run off hydrograph
.
Muskingum Method
This method was developed to accommodate the
relationship between storage & outflow in rivers

In this method storage within a reach is visualized into 2

parts: prism storage & wedge storage

Prism storage is the storage due to steady flow water surface profile

Wedge storage is the additional storage under the actual water surface
profile during a flood
 Muskingum Method
• Considering a channel reach having a flood flow, the total volume
in storage can be considered under 2 categories
• Prism storage & wedge storage
Prism storage exist if
Uniform flow occurs at d/s
volume formed by imaginary
Plane (2) to channel bottom

Wedge storage: it is the wedge

Like volume formed between
The actual water surface profile
& the top surface of prism
storage
 Muskingum Method
Total storage in the channel reach (S)
• = Prism storage +wedge storage
S = KQ + K X (I-Q)
X= weightage factor depending on shape of wedge ( value of x is 0 to 0.5)
S = KQ + K (IX-QX)

S = K (ImX + (1-x) Qm
Where, m a constant exponent. For natural channel m= 1, for artificial channel m=0.6

For natural channel

S = K[Ix + (1-x)Q] ………………(1)

K= storage time constant = time of travel of flood wave through the channel reach
 Muskingum Method
• During the rising stages of flood wave, the whole storage is +ve
and added to the prism storage
• During the falling stages of flood wave, the wedge storage is –ve &
subtracted from the prism storage.

S = K [ XI + (1 − X ) Q ]
 Routing in the channel reach
S = K [ XI + (1 − X )Q where k & x are coeff

X = weighting factor = 0 to 0.5 when x = 0 , then S is a function of

discharge only then S = KQ such a storage is called linear storage
or linear reservoir

For a given channel reach, by selecting a routing interval Δt & using

Muskingum equation, the change in storage is
S 2 − S1 = K [ X ( I 2 − I1 ) + (1 − X ) (Q2 − Q1 )]
…………(1)
where 1 &2 refer before & after the time interval Δt
Also
Storage = Input Volume – Output Volume
 Routing in the channel reach
From Basic inflow outflow equation
I 2 + I1  Q2 + Q1 
S 2 − S1 = ( ) t −   t ………..(2)
2  2 
from equation 1 & 2
Q2 = C0 I 2 + C1 I1 + C2Q1 ……….(3)

Equation (3) can be written in a general form for the nth time step as

Qn = C0 I n + C1 I n −1 + C2Qn −1
Known as Muskingum routing equation.

For best result Δt should lie between K & 2KX

K>Δt>2KX
Storage in the channel reach is given by
Q2 = C0 I 2 + C1 I1 + C2Q1
where

− KX + 0.5t
C0 =
K − KX + 0.5 t

KX + 0.5t
C1 =
K − KX + 0.5 t

K − KX − 0.5t
C2 =
K − KX + 0.5 t

C0 + C1 + C2 =1
 Clark’s Unit Hydrograph (Clarks method for IUH)
• IUH: Unit hydrograph resulting from a unit amount of effective
precipitation applied to a drainage basin in an infinitesimally short
duration

• Clarks method is used to develop an IUH due to an instantaneous

rainfall excess over the catchment

• It is assumed that the rainfall excess first undergoes pure translation

and then attenuation.

• Translation is achieved by travel time- area histogram &

• Attenuation by routing the results through a linear reservoir at the

catchment outlet.
Time –Area Histogram method

Surface runoff of a catchment

 Time –Area method
• Here, Time means time of concentration (Tc)

• Tc is the time required for a unit volume of water from the

farthest point of catchment to reach the outlet

• It represents maximum time of translation of the surface

runoff of the catchment.

• The time interval between the end of the rainfall excess & the
point of inflection of the resulting surface runoff gives tc
from known rainfall-run off data
 Time –Area method
In an ungauged area, time of concentration (tc) is
n
In US practice  L * Lca 
tc = CtL  
 s 
Kirpich euation
−0.385
• tc = 0.01947L S 0.77

Where
n and CtL are basin constant

L = Basin length from gauge station to water divide

Lca= length from gauging to centre of watershed

S= slope of the catchment
 Clark’s Unit Hydrograph (Clarks method for IUH)
• If points on the catchment area having equal time of travel (say
t1 hr where t1<tc) are considered &

• located on a map of the catchment, a line joining them is called

an Isochrones

• Let us divide the catchment in N (say 8)sub areas by isochrones

having an equal time interval .

• The inter isochrones areas A1, A2….AN are used to construct a travel
time-area histogram.
 Clark’s Unit Hydrograph (Clarks method for IUH)

Isochrones
in a
catchment

The area between 2 isochrones A1, A2, ….AN are used to construct a travel-time area histogram.
Clark’s Unit Hydrograph (Clarks method for IUH)

Time –Area histogram

 Clark’s Unit Hydrograph (Clarks method for IUH)

If a rainfall excess of 1cm occurs instantaneously &

uniformly over the catchment area,

the time area histogram represents the sequence in which the

volume of rainfall will be moved out of the catchment &
arrive at the outlet

If Ar = Sub area in km2 and depth of water is 1cm , then

Inflow : A volume of (Arx106*)* (1*10-2) = Arx 104 m3

moving out in timeΔtc = tc/N hours
 Clark’s Unit Hydrograph (Clarks method for IUH)

The inflow rate between 2 isochrone area Ar (Km2) with

a time interval Δtc (hour) is
4
Inflow (I) = Volume/time = A *10 A (m3/se)
r
= 2.78 r
3600 * tc tc

In histogram, I1=I2 =I
Now, for routing we use Muskingum equation
Q2 = C0 I 2 + C1 I1 + C2Q1
Clark’s Unit Hydrograph (Clarks method for IUH)

However, the hydrograph of outflow obtained do not

give storage of the catchment.

To overcome this deficiency, Clark assumed a

linear reservoir to be hypothetically available at the
outlet to provide required attenuation.
 Clark’s Unit Hydrograph (Clarks method for IUH)
The inflow rate (I) between 2 isochrones area Ar (km2) with a time
interval Δtc (hr) is
4
I= Volume/time= A *10 A
r
= 2.78 r (m3 / s)
3600 * tc tc

From Muskingum routing equn Q2 = C0 I 2 + C1 I1 + C2Q1

− kx + 0.5t
where C0 = X=0 for linear reservoir, so
k − kx + 0.5t
0.5tc
C0 =
k + 0.5 c
KX + 0.5t
C1 =
K − KX + 0.5 t

0.5Δ𝑡𝑐 𝑘 − 0.5Δ𝑡
𝐶1 = 𝐶2 =
𝑘 + 0.5Δ𝑐 𝑘 + 0.5Δ𝑡
 Clark’s Unit Hydrograph (Clarks method for IUH)
Since I1 = I2
So 𝐶0 = 𝐶1
(Since inflows are derived from histogram for each interval)

Q2 = 2 C1 I1 + C2Q1

using this IUH any other D hr unit hydrograph can be derived

Thank you