Notes: The unit hydrograph is a simple linear model that can be used to derive the hydrograph resulting from

any amount of rainfall excess. Linearity implies additivity and proportionality of the solutions. The following assumptions are made when unit hydrograph concepts are applied: 1) Constant rainfall intensity in time; 2) uniform distribution in space of the excess rainfall; 3) the time base of the direct runoff hydrograph is independent of the rainfall intensity and depends only on the effective rainfall duration. The determination of unit hydrographs (UH) for given basins can be carried out either using the theoretical developments of linear system theory; or using empirical techniques. For either case simultaneous observations of both precipitation and streamflow must be available.

Notes: Total runoff refers to a given storm event. Total runoff includes the runoff due to the given storm as well as the base flow existing in the basin prior to the storm. Surface runoff includes all overland flow as well as all precipitation falling directly onto stream channels. Surface runoff is the main contributor to the peak discharge. Interflow is the portion of the streamflow contributed by infiltrated water that moves laterally in the subsurface until it reaches a channel. Interflow is a slower process than surface runoff. Chow (1964) has distinguished between quick interflow which contributes to direct runoff, and delayed interflow which contributes to baseflow. Direct runoff is usually considered to be the sum of surface runoff and interflow. Unit hydrograph analysis refers only to direct runoff. Baseflow, or groundwater flow, is the flow component contributed to channel by groundwater. This process is extremely slow as compared to surface runoff.

Notes: The main factors affecting hydrograph characteristics (shape) are: 1) drainage characteristics; 2) rainfall characteristics; 3) and soil type and land use. Drainage characteristics include basin area, basin shape, basin slope, drainage density, and drainage network topology. Rainfall distribution in space is important in defining the hydrograph shape. Another important rainfall characteristic affecting hydrograph shapes is storm movement. In general, storms moving in the general downstream direction will tend to produce larger peak flows than storms moving upstream. In addition, rainfall intensity, duration, and temporal distribution affect the hydrograph shape. Most changes in land use tend to increase the amount of runoff for a given storm. The recession limb of the hydrograph corresponds to water released from storage. The lower part of this recession corresponds to groundwater flow contributions.

Notes: The time to peak is largely determined by drainage basin characteristics such as drainage density, slope, channel roughness, and soil infiltration characteristics. Rainfall distribution in space also affects the time to peak. The time of concentration is determined by the drainage basin characteristics of length and slope, as well as the hydraulic characteristics of the flow paths. The basin lag is an important concept in linear modeling of basin response. The lag time is a parameter that appears often in theoretical, conceptual models of basin behavior. However, it is sometimes difficult to measure in real world situations. Many empirical equations have been proposed in the literature. The simplest of these equations computes the basin lag as a power function of the basin area.

Notes: There are several subjective methods. The simplest one consists in arbitrarily selecting the beginning of the rising limb as the value of the baseflow and connecting this point with a horizontal line to a point in the recession limb of the hydrograph. Another method consists in arbitrarily selecting the beginning of the groundwater recession on the hydrograph and connecting this point with a straight line to the beginning of the rising limb. One last example of subjective methods consists in extending a line from the beginning of the recession to a point directly beneath the peak discharge and then connecting this point to the beginning of the rising limb. The area method of baseflow separation consists in determining the beginning of the baseflow with an empirical equation relating time in days from the peak discharge, N, to the basin area, A. When A is in square miles, b equals 1. If A is in square kilometers b equals 0.8. This equation is unsuitable for smaller watersheds and should be checked for a number of hydrographs before using. The three component method involves separating surface runoff, interflow, and groundwater flow. This method is based on a linear reservoir model of unforced basin response ( that is, response from storage). It involves the determination of several recession constants. Application of this method involves considerable smoothing of the runoff hydrograph. The method can become extremely cumbersome.

Notes: The following are essential steps in deriving a unit hydrograph from a single storm: 1) Separate the baseflow and obtain the direct runoff hydrograph. 2) Compute the total volume of direct runoff. Convert this volume into equivalent depth (in inches or in centimeters) over the entire basin. 3) Normalize the direct runoff hydrograph by dividing each ordinate by the equivalent volume (in or cm) of direct runoff (or effective rainfall). 4) Compute effective rainfall (e.g., using the ?-index) and associated duration of the effective rainfall hyetograph. This duration is the duration associated with the unit hydrograph. Unit hydrographs are intimately linked with the duration of the effective rainfall event producing them. They can only be used to predict direct runoff from storms of the same duration as that associated with the UH.

Notes: A unit hydrograph for a particular watershed is developed for a specific duration of effective rainfall. When dealing with a rainfall of different duration a new unit hydrograph must be derived for the new duration. The linear property implicit in the UH analysis can be used to generate UHs of larger or smaller duration. This procedure, which is explained using linear systems theory in the following slides, is sometimes referred to as the S-curve Hydrograph method. Assume that a UH of duration D is known and that a UH for the same basin and of duration D is desired. The first step is to determine the S-curve hydrograph by adding a series of UHs of duration D, each lagged by D. The resulting superposition represents the runoff resulting from a continuous rainfall excess of intensity 1/D. By shifting the S-curve in time by an amount D and subtracting ordinates between the two lagged S-curves, the resulting hydrograph must correspond to a rainfall event of intensity 1/D and of duration D. Thus, to convert this hydrograph into a unit hydrograph of duration D, its ordinates must be normalized by multiplying them times D/D. The resulting ordinates represent a unit hydrograph associated with an effective rainfall of duration D.

Unit Hydrograph Analysis Jorge A. Ramrez Definition

The Unit Hydrograph of a watershed is defined as the direct runoff hydrograph resulting from a 1 in (1 cm in SI units) of excess rainfall generated uniformly over the drainage area at a constant rate for an effective duration. It is to be applied only to direct runoff.

Hydrograph Components

Direct Runoff o Surface Runoff o Interflow Baseflow o Delayed interflow o Groundwater runoff

Elements of the Hydrograph

Rising Limb o Rising portion of the hydrograph (mostly surface runoff) Crest
o

Zone of hydrograph around peak discharge

Recession Limb o Portion of the hydrograph after the peak discharge. Corresponds to water released from storage in the basin.

Hydrograph Time Characteristics

Time to Peak, tp o Time from beginning of rising limb to peak discharge. Time of Concentration, tc

Time required for water to travel from the hydraulically remotest point in the basin to the basin outlet.

Lag Time, tl o Time between center of mass of effective rainfall and center of mass of direct runoff hydrographs. Time Base, tb o Duration of direct runoff hydrograph.

Baseflow Separation

Baseflow separation or hydrograph analysis is the process of separating the direct runoff (surface runoff) from the baseflow. This separation is somewhat arbitrary, but corresponds to theoretical concepts on basin response. Some separation methods include: o Subjective Method o Area Method: o Three component and streamflow recession

Empirical Unit Hydrograph Derivation

Separate baseflow and determine direct runoff hydrograph (DRH). Compute the volume of direct runoff. Normalize DRH to obtain a Unit Hydrograph. Determine effective duration of excess rainfall

Unit Hydrographs for Different Effective Duration

S-Curve Hydrograph Method o Determine the runoff hydrograph for a continuous rainfall of intensity 1/D. This hydrograph is known as the S-curve hydrograph. o Determine the runoff hydrograph of a rainfall event of intensity 1/D and of duration D o Normalize the resulting hydrograph by multiplying its ordinates by D/D. o The resulting hydrograph is a Unit Hydrograph associated with an effective rainfall of duration D.