HYDROGRAP

COURSE OUTCOME:
Analyze and solve rainfall, streamflow,
flow routing, runoff, hydrograph,
groundwater, evapotranspiration and
infiltration problems using various
methods.
Lesson Outcomes:
Define and identify every components
of hydrograph
Apply and analyses the hydrograph
using various methods
Apply and analyses flow routing using
various methods

INTRODUCTIO
N

A plot the of discharge (flow rate in cfs or cms)

versus time for a given location within a stream
and
represents the main hydrologic response
function
Hydrograph anlysis is the most widely used
method
of analyzing surface runoff
Wisler & Brater - 1949 - the hydrograph of
surface
runoff resulting from a relatively short, intense

rain, called a unit storm

Storm runoff hydrographs. (a) Rainfall-runoff modeling; (b) Steps to define storm
runoff.

Net Rainfall and the

Hydrograph
Gross rainfall = depression storage +
evaporation+
infiltration + surface
runof
Rainfall excess = Direct runof
=gross rainfall (infiltration + depression
storage)

Components of Hydrograph
Surface runoff
Groundwater/Baseflow/Interflow
The relative contribution of each component to the hydrograph is
depend on:
rainfall rate, intensity,i relative to the infiltration rate,
infiltration rate, f of the soil
level of soil moisture, storage, SD versus field capacity, total
infiltration, F of the soil
There is three conditions:
i) i < f - no overland runoff occur
ii) F < SD - Interflow and groundwater flow are zero
iii) i > f and F > SD - typically of a large storm event in
which direct surface runoff , interflow
and baseflow all contributes to
hydrograph

Graphical
Representation
Duration of
excess
precipitation.

Lag time
Time of
concentration
Base flow

Components

Duration
Lag Time
Time of Concentration
Rising Limb
Recession Limb (falling
limb)
Peak Flow
Time to Peak (rise time)
Recession Curve
Separation
Base flow

Hydrographs
Basin Lag

Centroid of
Precipitation

Lim

Lim

Risi
ng

n
sio
b

Discharge, Q

s
ce
Re

Time
of Rise

Peak

Inflection
Point
Baseflow
Recession

Baseflow
Recession

Beginning of
Direct Runof

End of
Direct Runof

Time

Separation of Baseflow
Base flow: portion of the discharge of a
stream contributed by groundwater flow
... generally accepted that the inflection point
on the recession limb of a hydrograph is the
result of a change in the controlling physical
processes of the excess precipitation flowing to
the basin outlet.
There is there method:
Constant - Discharge Baseflow Separation

Constant Slope Baseflow Separation

Master Depletion Curve Method

Baseflow Separation
Three techniques
Straight line method
Discharge, Q
Discharge, Q
Discharge, Q

(Constant - Discharge Baseflow Separation)

N A0.2
Fixed Base Method
(Constant Slope Baseflow Separation)
- Variable Slope Method
Direct
DirectRunof
Runof D
Direct Runof
A
E
A
C
A
Baseflow
C
Baseflow
Baseflow

Time
Time
Time

Constant - Discharge Baseflow

Separation
Easiest method
The line separating baseflow and direct runoff

begins
at point of the lowest discharge rate at the start of
flood
runoff and extends at a constant discharge rate
until it
intersects the recession limb of the hydrograph
It is easy to argue with the conceptual basis of the
method

Constant Slope Baseflow

Separation
Empirical formula, such as the equation that has
been proposed for very large watershed,
N = A0.2
N= the number of day from the time peak of the
measure runoff hydrogrpah to the end of direct
runoff
A= drainage area in miles
or
N = 0.84A0.2
A= drainage area in km2

Effective Precipitation
A stormflow hydrograph resulting from 1 unit (1 mm or

in) of effective precipitation of uniform rate and spatial

distribution it uniquely represents the stormflow
response of a catchment
A simple engineering approach to predict a hydrograph
given an effective precipitation series.
Effective precipitation could represent subsurface
flow,
overland flow or any variety of quickflow processes;
however, ET and interception losses must be included

Unit Hydrograph
The hydrograph that results from 1-inch (or 1
cm or 10 mm ) of excess precipitation (or
runoff) spread uniformly in space and time
over a watershed for a given duration.
The key points :
1-inch (or cm) of EXCESS precipitation
Spread uniformly over space - evenly
over the watershed
Uniformly in time - the excess rate is
constant over the time interval
There is a given duration

Derived Unit
Hydrograph
700.0000

600.0000

500.0000

Surface
Response

400.0000

300.0000

200.0000

100.0000

0.0000

Baseflow

Derived Unit
Hydrograph
700.0000

Total
Hydrograph

600.0000

500.0000

Surface
Response

400.0000

300.0000

Baseflow
200.0000

100.0000

0.0000
0.0000

0.5000

1.0000

1.5000

2.0000

2.5000

3.0000

3.5000

4.0000

Assumption of Unit Hydrograph

Rules of Thumb :

the storm should be fairly uniform in nature and the

excess precipitation should be equally as uniform throughout
the basin. This may require the initial conditions throughout
the basin to be spatially similar.
Second, the storm should be relatively constant in time,
meaning that there should be no breaks or periods of no
precipitation.
Finally, the storm should produce at least an inch of
excess precipitation (the area under the hydrograph after
correcting for baseflow).

Methods of Developing UHGs

From Streamflow Data

Synthetically

Snyder
SCS
TimeArea(Clark,1945)

Fitted Distributions
Geomorphologic

DerivationofUnitHydrographfrom
StreamflowData
Time (hr)

Example 1:
Using the total direct run off
from one storm occur in 2 hours
for the 50 km2 shown in the
table. Derive a unit hydrograph.
Assume
the constant baseflow is 5 m3/s.

Discharge (m3/s)

5.00

18.46

36.40

54.35

66.01

10

56.14

12

47.17

14

38.20

16

31.02

18

23.84

20

18.46

22

12.18

24

5.00

26

5.00

Step:
1) Plot/sketch the hydrograph.
2) Separate the baseflow using Constant - Discharge Baseflow Separation.
Assume the constant baseflow is 5 m3/s.
3) Calculate volume of direct runoff.
Volume of direct runoff = Area of hydrograph = Area of several trapezoidal
or
Volume of Direct runoff (DRO) from hydrograph = 347.23 m 3/s x 2 hr x 60min
x 60s
= 2.5 x 106 m3
4) Calculate; Effective Rainfall Depth = Volume of DRO
= 2.5 x 106 m3
Area of catchment
50 x 106 m2
= 0.05 m = 5 cm = 50 mm
5) For Unit Hydrograph from one storm but effective rainfall equal to 10 mm
or 1 cm, the value of Unit Hydrograph(UH) discharge is
UH10mm = DRO x 10 = DRO x 1
50
5
6) For check up: 69.45 x 2 x 60 x 60 = 0.009999 = 1 cm = 10 mm (UH)
6

(2-3)

(4x1/5)

Time (hr)

Discharge (m /s)

Baseflow (m /s)

Direct Runoff
(m3/s)

2 hr unit
hydrograph

5.00

5.00

18.46

5.00

36.40

5.00

54.35

5.00

66.01

5.00

10

56.14

5.00

12

47.17

5.00

14

38.20

5.00

16

31.02

5.00

18

23.84

5.00

20

18.46

5.00

22

12.18

5.00

24

5.00

5.00

26

5.00

5.00

(2-3)

(4x1/5)

Time (hr)

Discharge (m /s)

Baseflow (m /s)

Direct Runoff
(m3/s)

2 hr unit
hydrograph

5.00

5.00

0.00

0.00

18.46

5.00

13.46

2.69

36.40

5.00

31.40

6.28

54.35

5.00

49.35

9.87

66.01

5.00

61.01

12.20

10

56.14

5.00

51.14

10.23

12

47.17

5.00

42.17

8.43

14

38.20

5.00

33.20

6.64

16

31.02

5.00

26.02

5.20

18

23.84

5.00

18.84

3.77

20

18.46

5.00

13.46

2.69

22

12.18

5.00

7.18

1.44

24

5.00

5.00

0.00

0.00

26

5.00

5.00

0.00

0.00

Exercise 1
Given an observed flows from
the a storm of 6 hour
duration
on a stream with a catchment
area of 500 km2. Assuming
the base flow to be zero,
derive the ordinates of 6 hour
unit hydrograph.

Time (hr)

Discharge (m3/s)

100

12

250

18

200

24

150

30

100

36

70

42

50

48

35

54

25

60

15

66

72

Answer;

DRO x
1/4.32

Time
(hr)

Discharge
(m3/s)

Baseflow
(m3/s)

Direct Runof
(m3/s)

6 hr UH
(m3/s)

0.00

100

100

23.15

12

250

250

57.87

18

200

200

46.30

24

150

150

34.72

30

100

100

23.15

36

70

70

16.20

42

50

50

11.57

48

35

35

8.10

54

25

25

5.79

60

15

15

3.47

66

1.16

72

0.00

1000

231.48

Exercise 2
Following are the ordinates of
a storm hydrograph and base
flow of a river draining a
catchment area 423 km2 due
to a 6 hour isolated storm.
Derive the ordinates of a 6
hour unit hydrograph for the
catchment

Time
(hr)

Discharge
(m3/s)

Baseflow
(m3/s)

10

10

30

10

12

87.5

10.5

18

115.5

10.5

24

102.5

10.5

30

85

11

36

71

11

42

59

11

48

47.5

11.5

54

39

11.5

60

31.5

11.5

66

26

12

72

21.5

12

78

17.5

12

84

15

12.5

90

12.5

12.5

96

12

12

102

12

12

TransformationofUnitHydrograph
fromSingleStorm
Example 2;
Given Below are the ordinate of a
6
hour unit hydrograph for a
catchment.
Calculate the ordinates of direct
runoff
hydrograph due to a rainfall
excess of
3.5 cm occurring in 6 hour.

Time (hr)

Discharge (m3/s)

25

50

85

12

125

15

160

18

185

24

160

30

110

36

60

42

36

48

25

54

16

60

69

Step of solution

1) DRO = UH x Effective rainfall depth (mm)

UH Effective rainfall depth (10 mm)
UH x 3.5

Time (hr)

6 hr UH (m /s)

25

50

85

12

125

15

160

18

185

24

160

30

110

36

60

42

36

48

25

54

16

60

69

DRO for 3.5 cm Rainfall

Excess

Step of solution

1) DRO = UH x Effective rainfall depth (mm)

UH Effective rainfall depth (10 mm)
UH x 3.5

Time (hr)

6 hr UH (m /s)

DRO for 3.5 cm Rainfall

Excess

25

87.5

50

175

85

297.5

12

125

437.5

15

160

560

18

185

647.5

24

160

560

30

110

385

36

60

210

42

36

126

48

25

87.5

54

16

56

60

28

69

TransformationofUnitHydrographfrom
DifferentStorm(LaggingMethod)
Example 3:
Data from example 1. Find the total/combination
hydrograph and peak discharge from 4 different storm
with duration 2 hours respectively.

Step:
1) Calculate; Effective Rainfall Depth
Rainfall

Effective
Rainfall
Intensity
(mm/hr)

Effective
Rainfall Depth
(mm)

15

15 x 2 hr = 30
mm

30

60

10

20

12.5

25

2) DRO = UH x Effective rainfall depth (mm)

UH Effective rainfall depth (10mm)
Rainfall:
A
30/10 x UH = 3 x UH
B
60/10 x UH = 6 x UH
C
20/10 x UH = 2 x UH
D
25/10 x UH = 2.5 x UH
3) Find total hydrograph and peak discharge

( 4 + 5)

Baseflow
(m3/s)

Total
Hydrograph
(m3/s)

Time
(hr)

Discharge
(m3/s)

2 hr unit
hydrograph

5.00

0.00

18.46

2.69

36.40

6.28

54.35

9.87

66.01

12.20

10

56.14

10.23

12

47.17

8.43

14

38.20

6.64

16

31.02

5.20

18

23.84

3.77

20

18.46

2.69

22

12.18

1.44

24

5.00

0.00

26

5.00

0.00

28

30

32

34

36

UH for effective rainfall (m3/s)

3 x UH

6 x UH

2 x UH

2.5 x UH

( 4 + 5)

Baseflow
(m3/s)

Total
Hydrograph
(m3/s)

Time
(hr)

Discharge
(m3/s)

5.00

2 hr unit
hydrograph

UH for effective rainfall (m3/s)

3 x UH

6 x UH

2 x UH

2.5 x UH

0.00

18.46

2.69

36.40

6.28

8.076

13.076

54.35

9.87

18.84

16.152

39.992

66.01

12.20

29.61

37.68

72.29

10

56.14

10.23

36.606

59.22

5.384

106.21

12

47.17

8.43

30.684

73.212

12.56

121.456

14

38.20

6.64

25.302

61.368

19.74

6.73

118.14

16

31.02

5.20

19.92

50.604

24.404

15.7

115.628

18

23.84

3.77

15.612

39.84

20.456

24.675

105.583

20

18.46

2.69

11.304

31.224

16.868

30.505

94.901

22

12.18

1.44

8.076

22.608

13.28

25.57

74.534

24

5.00

0.00

4.308

16.152

10.408

21.085

56.953

26

5.00

0.00

8.616

7.536

16.6

37.752

28

5.384

13.01

23.394

30

2.872

9.42

17.292

32

6.73

11.73

34

3.59

8.59

36

4) Peak discharge for these total/combination hydrograph is 128.63 m3/s

at 12 hours.

Exercise 3
Two storm each of 6 hour duration and having
rainfall excess values of 3 cm and 2 cm
respectively occur successively. The 3 cm excess
rainfall rain at t=0 follows the 2 cm rain. The 6
hour unit hydrograph for the catchment are given.
Calculate the total hydrograph for direct runoff.

4
Time (hr)
6 hr UH
(m3/s)

0
0

3
25

6
50

9
85

12

15

12

16
5

18

24

27

30

33

36

39

60

36

25

16

245

16
0 185

0 110

S-Hydrograph/Curve Method
This method overcomes restrictions by the lagging
method and allows construction of any duration
unit hydrograph
As an example, using 1 hr unit hydrograph,
continuous
lagging represents the direct runoff from a constant
rainfall of 1 cm/hr. The cummulative addition of the
initial unit hydrograph ordinates at time intervals
equal to the unit storm duration results in an S curve.
The maximum discharge of the S curve occurs at a
time equal to D hours less than the time base of the
initial unit hydrograph.

Example4:Shydrograph/curve

Given the following 4 hours

unit hydrograph, use
S hydrograph/curve
procedures to construct
a 3 hour unit hydrograph.

Time (hr)

4 hr UH ordinates
(m3/s)

8.8

56.8

99.2

136

158.4

137.6

117.6

101.6

85.6

10

72

11

60.8

12

49.6

13

40.8

14

32

15

24.8

16

21.6

17

13.6

18

8.8

19

20

2.4

21

Time (hr)

4 hr UH
(m3/s)

1st 4 hr

8.8

56.8

99.2

136

158.4

137.6

117.6

101.6

85.6

10

72

11

60.8

12

49.6

13

40.8

14

32

15

24.8

16

21.6

17

13.6

18

8.8

19

20

2.4

21

22

Lagging 4 hours
2nd 4 hr

3rd 4 hr

4th 4 hr

S curve
5th 4 hr

6th 4 hr

Total

Time (hr)

4 hr UH
(m3/s)

1st 4 hr

8.8

8.8

56.8

56.8

99.2

99.2

136

136

158.4

8.8

167.2

137.6

56.8

194.4

117.6

99.2

216.8

101.6

136

237.6

85.6

158.4

8.8

252.8

10

72

137.6

56.8

266.4

11

60.8

117.6

99.2

277.6

12

49.6

101.6

136

287.2

13

40.8

85.6

158.4

8.8

293.6

14

32

72

137.6

56.8

298.4

15

24.8

60.8

117.6

99.2

302.4

16

21.6

49.6

101.6

136

308.8

17

13.6

40.8

85.6

158.4

8.8

307.2

18

8.8

32

72

137.6

56.8

307.2

19

24.8

60.8

117.6

99.2

306.4

20

2.4

21.6

49.6

101.6

136

311.2

21

13.6

40.8

85.6

158.4

8.8

307.2

22

8.8

32

72

137.6

56.8

307.2

Lagging 4 hours
2nd 4 hr

3rd 4 hr

4th 4 hr

S curve
5th 4 hr

6th 4 hr

Total

Used

(3 - 4)

4/3 x (5)

Time
(hr)

S Curve for 4
-hr

The best
line

Lagged S
curve

Diferen
ce

3 hr UH

For column 6,
3hr UH= Given UH x Difference of S curve 0
Construct UH
1
= 4 x Column 5
3
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

10
11
12
13
14
15

Used

(3 - 4)

4/3 x (5)

Time
(hr)

S Curve for 4
-hr

The best
line

Lagged S
curve

Diferen
ce

3 hr UH

0.00

8.8

8.8

8.8

11.73

56.8

56.8

56.8

75.73

99.2

99.2

99.2

132.27

136

136

8.8

127.2

169.60

167.2

167.2

56.8

110.4

147.20

194.4

194.4

99.2

95.2

126.93

216.8

216.8

136

80.8

107.73

237.6

237.6

167.2

70.4

93.87

252.8

252.8

194.4

58.4

77.87

10

266.4

266.4

216.8

49.6

66.13

11

277.6

277.6

237.6

40

53.33

12

287.2

287.2

252.8

34.4

45.87

13

293.6

293.6

266.4

27.2

36.27

14

298.4

298.4

277.6

20.8

27.73

15

302.4

302.4

287.2

15.2

20.27

16

308.8

307.5

293.6

13.9

18.53

17

307.2

307.5

298.4

9.1

12.13

18

307.2

307.5

302.4

5.1

6.80

19

306.4

307.5

307.5

0.00

20

311.2

307.5

307.5

0.00

21

307.2

307.5

307.5

0.00

22

307.2

307.5

307.5

0.00

23

306.4

307.5

307.5

0.00

For column 6,
0
3hr UH= Given UH x Difference of S curve
1
Construct UH
2
= 4 x Column 5
3
3

Exercise 4
Given the following 2
hours unit
hydrograph, use S
hydrograph/curve
procedures to
construct a 3 hour
unit hydrograph.

Time (hr)

2 hr UH (m3/s)

75

250

300

275

200

100

75

50

25

10

Exercise 5

Obtain a 1 hour Unit

Hydrograph for a basin of
282.2 km2 of area using the
streamflow
data tabulated below.
Assume baseflow is 150
m3/s. Plot the hydrograph.
ii) From the Unit Hydrograph
above, derive the total
hydrograph for given storm.
Plot the hydrograph.
iii) From the answer in (i),
convert the following
tabulated 1 hr UH to 3 hr
UH using S-curve method.
Plot the S curve and
hydrograph in same graph
paper.
i)

Time (hr)

Discharge (m3/s)

150

160

350

800

1200

900

750

550

350

225

10

150

11

150
Efective
Rainfall
depth, P (cm)

Storm

Time (hr)

02

24

46

1.5

68

0.5

FLOW
ROUTING

FLOW ROUTING
o aproceduretodeterminethetimeandmagnitude

offlow(eg,flowhydrograph)atapointona
watercoursefromknownorassumedhydrographs
atoneormorepointsupstream
o Iftheflowisaflood,theprocedureis
specificallyknownasfloodrouting
o Flowroutingisconsideredasananalysistotrace
theflowtroughahydrologicsystem,giventhe
output

Purpose in Open Channel

Flow

Account for changes in the flow

hydrograph as a flood wave passes
downstream
Problems

Accounting for storage in parking lots,

etc.
Attenuation of flood peaks due to
overbank storage
Dam breaching

Purpose in Stormwater
Mgmt.

Comply with zero-rise ordinances

Detention pond design

Important to consider on a
watershed/regional basis
Also consider timing between events

LUMPED SYSTEM ROUTING

(HYDROLOGIC ROUTING)
The flow is calculated as a function of time alone at a particular

location
Continuity equation

dS

= I(t) -Q(t)

dt
I(t) = inflow hydrograph
Q(t) = outflow hydrograph
dS = storage function
Applications: problem of flood prediction, flood control

measures, reservoir design and operation, watershed simulation

Two techniques:

River Routing

Reservoir Routing

Governing Equations

Hydrologic routing

Uses continuity equation

Accounts for changes in storage
Lumped system (reservoir)

A
t

v
x

A
x

q x, t

DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM ROUTING

(HYDRAULIC ROUTING)

- The flow is calculated as a function of space and

time throughout the system
- Partial equation (the Saint Venant) explicit and
implicit numerical methods
- More complex and accurate
- Suitable for unsteady flow in rivers and
reservoirs
- Use kinematic wave routing

Governing Equations

Hydraulic Routing

Distributed system (reaches)

Uses continuity equation
Uses parts of momentum equation

S f S0

y
x

v v
g x

1 v
g t

Hydraulic Routing
Advantages
Most accurate method
Accounts for many hydraulic conditions
including backwater effects, hydraulic
structures, and unsteady effects
Disadvantages
May become unstable under some
conditions
Requires extensive data input
More difficult to update results than with
simpler methods

Routing Techniques

Hydrologic (Reservoir/Storage) Routing

Hydraulic Routing

Modified Puls Routing/ Level Pool Routing

Muskingum Method
etc
Kinematic Wave
Dynamic
etc

And there are many other techniques

Reservoir routing
Relationship between depth, discharge (outflow) and
storage
O = f (H)
S = f (H) = A (H) dH
Therefore;
S = f (O)
River Routing
Relationship between storage and discharge (outflow
and inflow)
S = f (I, O)

RESERVOIR ROUTING
O Similar to channel storage routing
O Outflow controlled by the principle spillway at a rate
depending on the height of water above the inlet.
O Outflow is at a maximum where it crosses the inflow
hydrograph
O Storage is at a maximum when outflow is at a
maximum.
o Storage volume required in the reservoir is the area
between the inflow and outflow hydrographs prior to the
peak outflow.
O If the initial water level is the spillway crest then the

Reservoir Routing

Reservoir acts to store

water
and release through
control structure later.

Max Storage

Inflow hydrograph

Outflow hydrograph

S - Q Relationship

Outflow peaks are

reduced

Outflow timing is delayed

 Inflow and outflow hydrograph for small level surface reservoir

have been
plotted on the same graph.
Area A represent the volume of the water that fills available
storage up to
the time t1.

Inflow exceeds outflow and the reservoirs is filling.

At the time t1, inflow and outflow are equal and the maximum
storage is
reached.
For the time exceeding t1, outflow exceeds inflow and the reservoir
empties.
Area C represents the volume of water that flows out of the
reservoir and
must equal area A if the reservoir begins and ends at the same
level.
The peak of the outflow from the reservoir should intersect the
inflow
hydrograph, in general outflow is uniquely determined by reservoir

Inflow and Outflow

Modified Puls
The modified puls routing method is probably

most often applied to reservoir routing

The method may also be applied to river routing
for certain channel situations.
The modified puls method is also referred to as
the storage-indication method.
The heart of the modified puls equation is found
by considering the finite difference form of the
continuity equation.

Modified Puls
Continuity Equation

2 S1
2 S2
- O1 =
+ O2
I1+ I2 +
t
t

Rewritten

The solution to the modified puls method is accomplished by

developing a graph (or table) of O -vs- [2S/t + O]. In order to do
this, a stage-discharge-storage relationship must be known,
assumed, or derived.

Modified Puls Example

Given the following hydrograph and the 2S/t + O

curve, find the outflow hydrograph for the reservoir

assuming it to be completely full at the beginning of
the storm.
The following hydrograph is given:

Discharge (cfs)

Hydrograph For Modified Puls Example

180
150
120
90
60
30
0
0

Time (hr)

10

Modified Puls Example

The following 2S/t + O curve is also given:

2S/ t + O (cfs)

2S/ t + O curve for Modified Puls

example
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
0

10

20

30

40

Outflow (cfs)

50

60

70

Modified Puls Example

A table may be created as follows:
Time
(hr)

In
(cfs)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

In+In+1
(cfs)

2Sn/t - On 2Sn/t + On+1

(cfs)
(cfs)

On+1
(cfs)

Modified Puls Example

Next, using the hydrograph and interpolation, insert the Inflow

(discharge) values.
For example at 1 hour, the inflow is 30 cfs.
In
(cfs)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

0
30
60
90
120
150
180
135
90
45
0
0
0

In+In+1
(cfs)

2Sn/t - On 2Sn/t + On+1

(cfs)
(cfs)

On+1
(cfs)

Hydrograph For Modified Puls Example

180
150
120
Discharge(cfs)

Time
(hr)

90
60
30
0
0

Time (hr)

10

Modified Puls Example

The next step is to add the inflow to the inflow in the

next time step.

For the first blank the inflow at 0 is added to the
inflow at 1 hour to obtain a value of 30.
Time
(hr)

In
(cfs)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

0
30
60
90
120
150
180
135
90
45
0
0
0

In+In+1 2Sn/t - On 2Sn/t + On+1

(cfs)
(cfs)
(cfs)
30

On+1
(cfs)

Modified Puls Example

This is then repeated for the rest of the values in the colu
Time
(hr)

In
(cfs)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

0
30
60
90
120
150
180
135
90
45
0
0
0

In+In+1 2Sn/t - On 2Sn/t + On+1

(cfs)
(cfs)
(cfs)
30
90
150
210
270
330
315
225
135
45
0
0
0

On+1
(cfs)

Modified Puls Example

The 2Sn/t + On+1 column can then be calculated

using the following equation:

2 S2
2 S1

- O1 =
+ O2
I1+ I2 +
t
t

Note that 2Sn/Dt - On and On+1 are set to zero.

Time
(hr)

In
(cfs)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

0
30
60
90
120
150
180
135
90
45
0
0
0

In+In+1 2Sn/t - On 2Sn/t + On+1

(cfs)
(cfs)
(cfs)
30
0
90
30
150
210
270
330
315
225
135
45
0
0
0

On+1
(cfs)
0

30 + 0 = 2Sn/t + On+1

Modified Puls Example

Then using the curve provided outflow can be

determined.
In this case, since 2Sn/t + On+1 = 30, outflow = 5
based
graph provided.
Time
In onIn+Ithe
On+1
n+1 2Sn/t - On 2Sn/t + On+1
2S/ t + O curve for Modified Puls
(hr)
(cfs)
(cfs)
(cfs)
(cfs)
(cfs)
0
0
30
0
0
example
90
150
210
270
330
315
225
135
45
0
0
0

30

t+O(cfs)

30
60
90
120
150
180
135
90
45
0
0
0

2S/

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
0

10

20

30

40

Outflow (cfs)

50

60

70

Modified Puls Example

To obtain the final column, 2Sn/t - On, two times the

outflow is subtracted from 2Sn+1/t + On+1.

In this example 30 - 2*5 = 20
Time
(hr)

In
(cfs)

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

0
30
60
90
120
150
180
135
90
45
0
0
0

In+In+1 2S n/t - On 2S n/t + On+1

(cfs)
(cfs)
(cfs)
30
0
90
20
30
150
210
270
330
315
225
135
45
0
0
0

On+1
(cfs)
0
5

Modified Puls Example

The same steps are repeated for the next line.
First 90 + 20 = 110.
From the graph, 110 equals an outflow value of

18.
Finally
=In+I74
Time 110 - I2*18
n
n+1
(hr)

(cfs)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

0
30
60
90
120
150
180
135
90
45
0
0
0

2Sn/t - On 2S n/t + On+1

(cfs)
(cfs)
(cfs)
30
0
90
20
30
150
74
110
210
270
330
315
225
135
45
0
0
0

On+1
(cfs)
0
5
18

Modified Puls Example

This process can then be repeated for the rest of the

columns.
Now a list of the outflow values have been calculated
and theTime
problemInis complete.
In+In+1 2Sn/t - On 2Sn/t + On+1
On+1
(hr)

(cfs)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

0
30
60
90
120
150
180
135
90
45
0
0
0

(cfs)
30
90
150
210
270
330
315
225
135
45
0
0
0

(cfs)
0
20
74
160
284
450
664
853
948
953
870
746
630

(cfs)
30
110
224
370
554
780
979
1078
1085
998
870
746

(cfs)
0
5
18
32
43
52
58
63
65
65
64
62
58

Solution:
Using
I1 + I2 O1 + O2 =
2

S2 S 1
t

rearrange similar in CASE 1

In + In+1 + 2Sn On = 2Sn+1 + On+1
t

Assume t = 1 hr
Step:
1. Given data in Column 1, 2 & 3.
2. Column 4
: 0 + 30 = 30
30 + 60 = 90
3. Initial value for Column 5 & 7 is zero.

4. Column 6
I1 + I2 + 2S1 O1 = 2S2 + O2
t

There fore:
0 + 30 + 0 = 30
5. From Storage function curve: find the outflow
2S2 + O2 = 30
t
From curve: O2 = 5 - Column 7
6. Fill Column 5 based on:
2S2 - O2 = 2S2 + O2 2O2 = 30 2 (5) = 20
t
t
7. Repeat all step for next row.

Col3 + Col
4

Col 6 2 x Col
7

Col 4 + Col 5
(Row before)

7
From
curve

From graph

Time
(hr)

Inflow, In
(cfs)

In + In+1
(cfs)

2Sn+1 /tOn
(cfs)

2Sn+1 /t+On+1
(cfs)

On+1
(cfs)

30

30

90

20

30

60

150

74

110

18

90

210

160

224

32

120

270

284

370

43

150

330

450

554

52

180

315

664

780

58

135

225

853

979

63

90

135

948

1078

65

10

45

45

953

1083

65

10

11

870

998

64

11

12

746

870

62

12

13

630

746

58

Exercise 6
A reservoir has following elevation, discharge

and storage in Table 1. When the reservoir level

was at 100.5 m, the following flood hydrograph
entered the reservoir as shown in Table 2.
Therefore, the outflow at t = 0 hour is 10 m 3/s.
Given t = 6 hours. Route the flood and obtain
the storage indication curve (2S/t +O versus O)
the outflow hydrograph
plot the inflow and outflow hydrograph in same

graph paper
I 1 + I 2 - O1 + O 2 = S 2 - S 1
Formula;
2
2
t

2 S1
2 S2
- O1 =
+ O2
I1+ I 2 +
t
t

Table 2

Table 1
Storage

Time (hr)

Inflow (m3/s)

10

20

12

55

Elavation (m)

(x106 m3)

Outflow (m3/s)

18

80

100.00

3.35

24

73

100.50

3.472

10

30

58

101.00

3.88

26

36

46

101.50

4.383

46

42

36

102.00

4.882

72

48

27.5

102.50

5.37

100

54

20

102.75

5.527

116

60

15

103.00

5.856

130

66

13

72

11

Exercise 7
Discharge criteria passing the overflow weir for
reservoir given by Q = 110H1.5 where H is the
water depth on crest of overflow weir. Area of
surface water in reservoir at the crest of overflow
weir is 7.5 km2 then constantly increase by 1.5 km2
/m. Inflow from the design rainfall start when
shaped that contain base time Tb = 36 hr, peak
time, Tp = 12 hr.
Calculate the maximum outflow passing the
overflow weir and its time. Assume t = 2 hr.
Use H from 0 to 2 m for every 0.2 m increment.

1. Assume water level parallel. Therefore

S = A dh
= 106 (7.5 + 1.5H) dh
= 106 (7.5H + 0.75H2)
O = 110H1.5
in m3/s

in m3

2. Plot storage indication curve ( O vs S/t + O/2)

t = 2 hr =7200 s
S/t + O/2 = 106
(7.5H + 0.75H2) + 110H1.5
7200
2
= 104 (10 + 0.53 H + H)

3. I1 +I2 - O1 +O2 = S2 S1
2
2
t
( S2/t + O2/2) = (S1/t + O1/2) + (I1 +I2)/2
Answer:
Q max = 180 m3/s at t = 24 hr

RIVER ROUTING
River routing differs from reservoir routing in that

storage
in a river reach of length L depends on more than
just
outflow
The peak of the outflow hydrograph from a reach is
usually attenuated
The technique was based on the use of wave
velocity and
a rating curve of stage versus discharge

Comparisons:
River vs.
Reservoir
Routing

River Reach

Level pool reservoir

River Routing

River Reaches

River Rating Curves

Inflow and outflow are

complex
Wedge and prism storage
occurs
Peak flow Qp greater on rise
limb

Wedge and
Prism
Storage
Positive wedge

I>Q

Maximum S when I = Q
Negative wedge

I<Q

Muskingum River Routing

Based on storage is a weighted function

of inflow and outflow
S = k[XI + (1 - X)O]
k is a time constant and typically equal to
the travel time through the reach
X is the weighting constant and is usually
between 0 and 0.5
If X = 0, we have level pool reservoir
routing
If X = 0.5, there is no attenuation of the
peak, just translation of the inflow
hydrograph downstream

Muskingum Method
Sp = K O

Prism Storage

Sw = K(I - O)X

Wedge Storage

S = K[XI + (1-X)O]Combined

Muskingum Equations
Continuity Equation I - Q = dS / dt

Storage - Discharge Relation based on I and Q

Parameters are x = weighting and K = travel time
x ranges from 0.2 to about 0.5

where Cs are functions of x, K, t and sum to 1.0

Muskingum Equations
C0 = ( Kx + 0.5t) / D
C1 = (Kx + 0.5t) / D
C2 = (K Kx 0.5t) / D
Where

D = (K Kx + 0.5t)

C2 = 1 C o C 1

Repeat for Q3, Q4, Q5 and so on.

Muskingum, cont...
Substitute storage equation, S into the S in the
continuity equation yields :
dS
= I -O
dt

S = K[XI + (1-X)O]
O 2 = C 0 I2 + C 1 I 1 + C 2 O 1
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 = (-Kx + 0.5 t)/D

C1 = (Kx + 0.5 t)/D
C2 = (K - Kx - 0.5 t)/D
D = (K - Kx + 0.5 t)

Muskingum Notes :
The method assumes a single stage-discharge

relationship.
In other words, for any given discharge, Q, there can
be only one stage height.
This assumption may not be entirely valid for certain
flow situations.
For instance, the friction slope on the rising side of a
hydrograph for a given flow, Q, may be quite different
than for the recession side of the hydrograph for the
same given flow, Q.
This causes an effect known as hysteresis, which can
introduce errors into the storage assumptions of this
method.

More Notes - Muskingum

The Handbook of Hydrology (Maidment, 1992)

includes additional cautions or limitations in the

Muskingum method.
The method may produce negative flows in the
initial portion of the hydrograph.
Additionally, it is recommended that the method be
limited to moderate to slow rising hydrographs
being routed through mild to steep sloping
channels.
The method is not applicable to steeply rising
hydrographs such as dam breaks.
Finally, this method also neglects variable
backwater effects such as downstream dams,
constrictions, bridges, and tidal influences.

Estimating K
K is estimated to be the travel time through the

reach.
This may pose somewhat of a difficulty, as the
travel time will obviously change with flow.
The question may arise as to whether the travel
time should be estimated using the average flow,
the peak flow, or some other flow.
The travel time may be estimated using the
kinematic travel time or a travel time based on
Manning's equation.

Estimating X
The value of X must be between 0.0 and 0.5.
The parameter X may be thought of as a weighting coefficient

for inflow and outflow.

As inflow becomes less important, the value of X decreases.
The lower limit of X is 0.0 and this would be indicative of a
situation where inflow, I, has little or no effect on the storage.
A reservoir is an example of this situation and it should be
noted that attenuation would be the dominant process
compared to translation.
Values of X = 0.2 to 0.3 are the most common for natural
streams; however, values of 0.4 to 0.5 may be calibrated for
streams with little or no flood plains or storage effects.
A value of X = 0.5 would represent equal weighting between
inflow and outflow and would produce translation with little or
no attenuation.

Muskingum River X
Select X from most linear plot

Obtain K from
line slope

A portion of the inflow hydrograph to a reach of

channel is given below. If the travel time is K=1 unit

and the weighting factor is X=0.30, then find the
outflow from the reach for the period shown below:

Time

C0I2

Inflow
0
1
2
3
4
5

3
5
10
8
6
5

C1I1

C2O1

Outflow
3

The first step is to determine the coefficients in this

problem.
The calculations for each of the coefficients is given
Kx - 0.5 t
below:
C0 = -

K - Kx + 0.5 t

C0= - ((1*0.30) - (0.5*1)) / ((1-(1*0.30) + (0.5*1)) = 0.167

Kx + 0.5 t
C1 =
K - Kx + 0.5 t
C1= ((1*0.30) + (0.5*1)) / ((1-(1*0.30) + (0.5*1)) = 0.667

K - Kx - 0.5 t
C2 =
K - Kx + 0.5 t
C2= (1- (1*0.30) - (0.5*1)) / ((1-(1*0.30) + (0.5*1)) = 0.167
Therefore the coefficients in this problem are:
C0 = 0.167
C1 = 0.667
C2 = 0.167

The three columns now can be calculated.

C0I2 = 0.167 * 5 = 0.835
C1I1 = 0.667 * 3 = 2.00
C2O1 = 0.167 * 3 = 0.501

Time

C0I2

Inflow
0
1
2
3
4
5

3
5
10
8
6
5

C1I1
0.835

C2O1
2.00

0.501

Outflow
3

Next the three columns are added to determine the outflow at

time equal 1 hour.

0.835 + 2.00 + 0.501 = 3.34

Time

C0I2

Inflow
0
1
2
3
4
5

3
5
10
8
6
5

C1I1
0.835

C2O1
2.00

0.501

Outflow
3
3.34

This can be repeated until the table is complete and the outflow

at each time step is known.

Time

C0I2

Inflow
0
1
2
3
4
5

3
5
10
8
6
5

C1I1
0.835
1.67
1.34
1.00
0.835

C2O1
2.00
3.34
6.67
5.34
4.00
3.34

0.501
0.557
0.93
1.49
1.31
1.03

Outflow
3
3.34
5.57
8.94
7.83
6.14

Example
Route the inflow hydrograph
tabulated in the following
table through a river reach for
which x = 0.2 and K = 2
days. Use a routing period t
= 1 day and assume that
inflow equals outflow for the
first day.

Time
(day)

Inflow (cfs)

4000

7000

11000

17000

22000

27000

30000

28000

25000

10

23000

11

20000

12

17000

13

14000

14

11000

15

8000

16

5000

17

4000

18

4000

19

4000

20

4000

Step;
C0
1. Determine the coefficient
2. Check 1=
3.

C0 + C1+ C2

O2 = C0 I2 + C1 I1 + C2 O1

,C1 and C2

Solution

Time (day)

Inflow (cfs)

Outflow (cfs)

4000

4000

7000

4143

11000

5694

17000

8506

22000

12789

27000

17413

30000

22121

28000

25778

25000

26693

10

23000

25792

11

20000

24319

12

17000

22120

13

14000

19539

14

11000

16758

15

8000

13873

16

5000

10934

17

4000

8061

18

4000

6127

19

4000

5114

20

4000

4583

Example
The values listed in
Table for inflow,
outflow and storage
were measured for
a particular reach of
a river. Determine
the coefficient K and
x (0.1 to 0.3) for use
in the Muskingum
routing equations
for the reach.

Time
(day)

Average
Inflow
(cfs)

Average
outflow
(cfs)

59

42

17

93

70

40

129

76

94

205

142

157

210

183

184

234

185

233

325

213

345

554

293

606

627

397

836

10

526

487

875

11

432

533

774

12

400

487

687

13

388

446

629

14

270

400

499

15

162

360

301

16

124

230

195

17

102

140

157

18

81

115

123

19

60

93

90

20

51

71

70

Storage
(cfs-days)

Step;

1. Compute the storage Sn+1 for each point in time by

rearranging Equation dS
= I -O
dt

Note that Sn is usually assumed to be 0 for the initial

condition.
2. Compute (xI + (1-x) O) for each point in time using a
trial values of x.
3. Plot the graph S versus (xI + (1-x) O).
4. Revise the value of x and repeat Steps 1 to 3 until the
plot shows a minimum amount of deviation from the
straight line.
5. Use the slope of the line as the best estimate K and use
the value of x that produced the minimum deviation

Solution

(xI + (1-x) O)

Time
(day)

Average Inflow
(cfs)

Average outflow
cfs)

X=0.1

X = 0.2

X = 0.3

Storage
(cfsdays
)

59

42

43.7

45.4

47.1

17

93

70

72.3

74.6

76.9

40

129

76

81.3

86.6

91.9

94

205

142

148.3

154.6

160.9

157

210

183

185.7

188.4

191.1

184

234

185

189.9

194.8

199.7

233

325

213

224.2

235.4

246.6

345

554

293

319.1

345.2

371.3

606

627

397

420

443

466

836

10

526

487

490.9

494.8

498.7

875

11

432

533

522.9

512.8

502.7

774

12

400

487

478.3

469.6

460.9

687

13

388

446

440.2

434.4

428.6

629

14

270

400

387

374

361

499

15

162

360

340.2

320.4

300.6

301

16

124

230

219.4

208.8

198.2

195

17

102

140

136.2

132.4

128.6

157

18

81

115

111.6

108.2

104.8

123

19

60

93

89.7

86.4

83.1

90

Answer
K = slope
= 1.8 days
Therefore x =0.3

Exercise 8

The values of inflow and outflow hydrographs at the

ends of a reach in a river a given in table. Determine
the value of K to be used in Muskingum method of
flood routing if x Time
stuck between
0.3.
Inflow 0.2 to Outflow
(hour)

(m3/s)

(m3/s)

80

20

12

210

50

18

240

150

24

215

200

30

170

210

36

130

185

42

90

155

48

60

120

54

40

85

60

28

55

66

16

23

20

20