Index Method for Determining Losses from a Precipitation Event Use the rainfall data below to determine the

index for a watershed of 0.875 square miles, where the runoff volume is 228.7 acre-ft. Note that in order to use the index method the volume of DRO must be known. This could be viewed as a disadvantage.

Intensity, in/hr hyetograph

direct runoff Index losses t1 t2 t3 time, hr t4

The phi index is a mythical loss function whose value results in a volume of DRO equal to that measured. If the phi index is larger than the rainfall intensity during an interval of time then the computed DRO during that period is zero. For example the phi index is larger than the rainfall intensity during the interval t3 to t4, thus the DRO during that period is computed as zero

FULL FILENAME

C:\MYFILES\ARCHIVE 1\VISIO DRAWINGS\FLUID MECHANICS - OPEN CHANNEL HYDRAULICS, HYDROLOGY\PHI INDEX.VSD

It appears to me that the phi index method accounts for all losses occurring between the time precipitation occurs and runoff is measured, be they initial abstractions, depression storage or infiltration

From Bedient, 3rd edition, " The index method assumes the loss is uniformly distributed across the rainfall event. Sometimes the method is modified to include a greater initial loss or abstraction followed by a constant loss for the event."

Example 1.7 Phi Index.mcd C:\myfiles\Mathcad application areas\Fluidsopen channels-hydrology\Bedient and Huber 3rd edition\

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From McCuen, 3rd edition "The phi index equals the rainfall intensity above which the depth of rainfall equals the depth of direct runoff. "

Compute the depth of runoff over the catchment depth :=

228 acre ft .875 mi

2

, depth = 4.886 in

The correct value of phi, , applied to the rainfall hyetograph, will result in a volume equal to the volume of runoff, 4.9 in.

Enter the hyetograph coordinates in a matrix. Note the time value is the same for the vertical line segments

0 0 2 2 5 5 DATA := 7 7 10 10 12 12

1.4 1.4 2.3 2.3 1.1 1.1 0.8 0.8 0.3 0.3 0

i := 0 .. 11 extract and rename each column and provide proper units timei := DATAi , 0 hr intensity i := DATAi , 1 in hr

Example 1.7 Phi Index.mcd C:\myfiles\Mathcad application areas\Fluidsopen channels-hydrology\Bedient and Huber 3rd edition\

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Rainfall Hyetograph
3 2.7 2.4 2.1 intensityi
in hr

1.8 1.5 1.2 0.9 0.6 0.3 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 timei hr 7 8 9 10 11 12

intensity 1 = 1.4

in hr in hr in hr in hr intensity 7 = 0.8

in hr in hr

intensity 3 = 2.3

intensity 9 = 0.3

intensity 5 = 1.1

initial guess for phi index value := 1

Now, the volume of runoff is equal to the difference between the rainfall intensity and the assumed phi index multiplied by the time interval over which that value of intensity occurred. If the phi index is LARGER than the rainfall intensity then the runoff volume during that period is computed as zero. I used conditional statements to do this. 2 hr if > intensity 1 , 0 ft , intensity 1 3 hr if > intensity 3 , 0 ft , intensity 3 2 hr if > intensity 5 , 0 ft , intensity 5 3 hr if > intensity 7 , 0 ft , intensity 7 2 hr if > intensity 9 , 0 ft , intensity 9
Example 1.7 Phi Index.mcd C:\myfiles\Mathcad application areas\Fluidsopen channels-hydrology\Bedient and Huber 3rd edition\

( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( (

)) = 0.067 ft )) = 0.325 ft )) = 0.017 ft )) = 0 ft )) = 0 ft

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Note that for the last 2 rainfall intensities, the phi index was larger and zero runoff was computed. Now, if we sum the computed runoff volumes the correct value of will give a value equal to the observed runoff volume. Runoff_volume := 2 hr if > intensity 1 , 0 ft , intensity 1 + 3 hr if > intensity 3 , 0 ft , intensity 3 ... + 2 hr if > intensity 5 , 0 ft , intensity 5 + 3 hr if > intensity 7 , 0 ft , intensity 7 ... + 2 hr if > intensity 9 , 0 ft , intensity 9

( ( ( ( ( (

))

)) ))

( ( ( (

))

))

Runoff_volume = 4.9 in If this value does not equal the observed runoff, assume different values of until it does

Rainfall Hyetograph
3 2.7 2.4 2.1 intensityi
in hr

1.8 1.5 1.2 0.9 0.6 0.3 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 timei hr 7 8 9 10 11 12

phi index = 1 in/hr

1

Example 1.7 Phi Index.mcd C:\myfiles\Mathcad application areas\Fluidsopen channels-hydrology\Bedient and Huber 3rd edition\

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