ESTIMATION OF RUNOFF

Overland Flow Hydrograph

Overland flow occurs as a thin sheet of water over the
ground surface (soon after a storm starts), joins a stream
channel, and then flows in the channel to the concentration
point. Overland flow is relatively slow and is the dominant
type of flow in the case of very small areas such as air
ports, municipal block areas and flow from broad surfaces
into storm drains and gutters. But in the case of large
drainage areas, the length of overland flow is so short in
comparison with the channel flow distance (before reaching
the concentration point) that the total concentration time is
mainly a function of channel velocity. Overland flow is
essentially a uniform flow over the surface (Fig. 4.11) as
developed by C.F. Izzard (1948). The Reynolds number

where V = velocity of flow

d = uniform depth of flow
v = kinematic viscosity of water
q = discharge per unit width

Fig. 4.11 Laminar overland flow

analysis (after C.F. Izzard, 1948)

Experiments indicate that the overland flow

can be assumed to be laminar if Re 1000
and turbulent if Re > 1000 with a transition
region of uncertainity in the vicinity of Re =
1000. Izzard suggested that for rectangular
drainage areas, laminar flow can be
assumed if the product i net l >| 400,
where inet is the net rainfall in cm/hr and l
is the length of overland flow in metres.
Finite difference methods, based upon the
method of characteristics have also been
used to develop overland flow hydrographs.

Unit Hydrograph Method

The hydrograph of direct surface discharge
measured at the outlet of drainage area,
which produces a unit depth of direct runoff
(i.e., a P net of 1 cm over the entire area of
the catchment) resulting from a unit storm of
specified duration (called unit period) is called
a unit hydrograph of that duration. The unit
hydrograph method was first proposed by L.K.
Sherman in 1932. The area under the
hydrograph represents a direct runoff of 1 cm,
Fig. 4.12.

The theory of unit hydrograph is based on the

following assumptions:
(i) The net rainfall is of uniform intensity within its
duration (i.e., unit period).
(ii) The net rainfall uniformly occurs over the entire
area of the drainage basin.
(iii) For a given drainage basin, the base period of
the hydrographs of direct runoff corresponding to
net rains of different intensities but same unit
duration, is constant.
(iv) The ordinates of direct runoff hydrographs due
to net rains of different intensities (but same unit
duration) are proportional.
(v) A unit hydrograph reflects all the physical
characteristicts of the basin.

Application of the Unit Hydrograph. First a unit

hydrograph of suitable unit duration is derived from
an observed flood hydrograph for the drainage basin
due to a known storm (storm loss and net rain). The
unit hydrograph so derived can be applied for any
other storm (of the same duration but producing
different net rain) occurring on the basin and the
resulting flood hydrographs can be obtained. The
details of the derivation of unit hydrographs and their
application, given a unit hydrograph of one duration
to derive a unit hydrograph of some other duration,
and derivation of unit hydrographs for
meteorologically homogeneous catchments (i.e.,
from basin characteristics like shape, size, slope etc.
when the stream-outflows are not gauged).

Thats all.
Thank you.
MARK JOEL L. DELA CRUZ
REPORTER