The Rational Method for Calculation of Peak Storm Water Runoff Rate

written by: Harlan Bengtson edited by: Lamar Stonecypher updated: 10/29/2010
The Rational Method is used to calculate the peak surface runoff rate for design of storm
water management structures, like storm drains, storm sewers, and storm water detention
facilities. Values for the runoff coefficient, drainage area, time of concentration and design
return period are needed.

Introduction
The Rational Method is widely used to estimate the peak surface runoff rate for design of
a variety of drainage structures, such as a length of storm sewer, a storm water inlet, or a
storm water detention pond. The Rational Method is most suitable for small urban
watersheds that don't have storage such as ponds or swamps. It is best for areas less
than 100 acres, but is sometimes used for up to 2 mi2 areas.

The Rational Method Equation

The equation that is the centerpiece of the Rational Method is: q = CiA, where q is the
peak surface runoff rate in cfs, from a watershed of area, A acres, and runoff coefficient,
C, due to a storm of intensity, i in/hr. The units on peak runoff rate, q, are actually acrein/hr, but the conversion from acre-in/hr to cfs is very nearly one, so the more common
unit, cfs, is tyically used for q. In order to calculate a value for peak runoff rate for a given
drainage area, values are needed for the three parameters, A, C, and i. Each of these
parameters will be discussed separately in the next three sections.

The Drainage Area, A

The drainage area, A, is often determined from a map which includes the drainage area of
interest. It may be necessary to first determine the boundaries of the drainage area using
a contour map. Once the boundaries are known, the area can be determined using the
map scale. Since the area must be in acres for use in the Rational Method equation, a
useful conversion factor is 43,560 ft2/acre. A map with a drainage area outlined is shown
at the left.

The Runoff Coefficient, C

The runoff coefficient is the fraction of rainfall striking the drainage area that becomes

runoff from that drainage area. It is an empirically determined constant, dependent on the
nature of the drainage area surface. An impervious surface like a concrete parking lot will
have a runoff coefficient of nearly one. A very tight clay soil will also have a relatively high
runoff coefficient, while a sandy soil would have more infiltration and a lower runoff
coefficient. In addition to the nature of the surface and the soil, the slope of the drainage
area has an effect on the runoff coefficient. A greater slope leads to a higher runoff
coefficient. There are many tables of values for runoff coefficient for a variety of types of
drainage areas in handbooks, textbooks and on the internet. The table at the right shows
some typical ranges of values for runoff coefficient.
The article, "Runoff Coefficients for Use in Rational Method Calculations."