CHAPTER 3 : SURFACE RUNOFF

By : Halina Binti Hamid

Learning Outcome :
Definition of direct runoff and baseflow Calculate direct runoff from data of stream flow and base flow Definition of hydrograph Explain stream flow hydrograph and direct runoff hydrograph Calculate volume of direct runoff depth runoff hydrograph Calculate the direct runoff depth based on volume of direct runoff and catchment width.

Definition of direct runoff and baseflow

DIRECT RUNOFF
It is that part of the runoff which enters the stream immediately after the rainfall. Include : surface runoff, prompt interflow and rainfall on the surface of the stream. Direct Runoff (DRO) is the sum of surface runoff and

interflow

Interflow is the water that travels laterally or horizontally through the zone of aeration (vadose zone) without reaching the water table during or immediately after a precipitation event and discharges directly into a stream or other body of water

BASEFLOW
The delayed flow that reaches a stream essentially as groundwater flow called base flow. In the annual hydrograph of a perennial stream the base flow is easily recognized as the slowly decreasing flow of the stream in rainless periods.

Firgure : hydrograph for Perennial stream

 Streams can be classified based on the flow of water in the channel. Perennial streams : flow continuously with inputs from groundwater. A perennial stream is one which always carries some flow. Even during the dry seasons the water table will be bed of the stream. Intermittent streams : flow for at least one month a year, typically in response to seasonally generated runoff. Ephemeral streams : generally flow only after storm events. Ephemeral streams do not intersect the water table

Calculate direct runoff from data of stream flow and base flow
Example : Obtain a Direct Runoff for a basin of 315 km2 of area using the base flow and stream flow data tabulated below : Given, base flow = 100 m3/s
Time (h)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Stream Flow(m3/s)
100 100 300 700 1000 800 600 400 300 200 100 100

Solution :
Time (h) Stream Flow (m3/s) Base Flow (m3/s) Direct Runoff Hydrograph (DRH) (m3/s) 0 0 200 600 900 700 500 300

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

100 100 300 700 1000 800 600 400

100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

8 9
10 11

300 200
100 100

100 100
100 100

200 100
0 0

Definition of Hydrograph
In hydrologic terms, a graph showing the water level (stage), discharge, or other property of a river volume with respect to time.
FACTORS AFFECTING DISCHARGE : Amount and type of rainfall Temperature Previous weather conditions Relief Drainage Density Rock Type Soil Land Use Slope

Explain stream flow hydrograph and direct runoff hydrograph

STREAM FLOW HYDROGRAPH A graph of discharge, or of the level of water in a river throughout a period of time Hydrographs can be plotted for hours, days, or even months. A storm hydrograph is plotted after a rainstorm to record the effect on the river of the storm event

Explain stream flow hydrograph and direct runoff hydrograph

RUNOFF HYDROGRAPH
A hydrograph is a plot of river discharge versus time. A stage hydrograph of a stream can be transformed into a discharge hydrograph using a rating curve. A streamflow hydrograph comprises overland flow, interflow and baseflow generated by precipitation flows. A hydrograph resulting from a single precipitation storm is known as a storm hydrograph.

3 Discharge (m3/s) 2 1

12

24

36

48

30

72

Hours from start of rain storm

3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4

Rainfall shown in mm, as a bar graph

12

24

36

48

30

72

Hours from start of rain storm

3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4

Discharge in m3/s, as a line graph

12

24

36

48

30

72

Hours from start of rain storm

3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4

The rising water in the river

12

24

36

48

30

72

Hours from start of rain storm

Peak flow
Peak flow

3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4

Maximum discharge in the river

12

24

36

48

30

72

Hours from start of rain storm

Peak flow

3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4

Falling water in the river

12

24

36

48

30

72

Hours from start of rain storm

Basin lag time

Basin lag time

Peak flow

3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4

Time difference between the peak of the rain storm and the peak flow of the river

12

24

36

48

30

72

Hours from start of rain storm

Basin lag time

Base flow
Peak flow

3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4

Normal discharge of the river

Base flow

12

24

36

48

30

72

Hours from start of rain storm

Basin lag time

Peak flow

3 Discharge (m3/s) 2
mm
4

Overland flow Through flow Base flow

12

24

36

48

30

72

Hours from start of rain storm

 Rising limb: The rising limb of hydrograph, also known as concentration curve represents the increase in discharge due to the gradual building up of storage in channels and over the catchment surface. Recession limb: The recession limb extends from the point of inflection at the end of the crest segment to the commencement of the natural groundwater flow (baseflow). It represents the withdrawal of water from the storage built up in the basin during the earlier phases of the hydrograph. Peak discharge: the highest point on the hydrograph when there is the greatest amount of water in the river Lag time: the time interval from the center of mass of rainfall excess to the peak of the resulting hydrograph Time to peak: time interval from the start of runoff to the peak of the resulting hydrograph Discharge: volume of water in a river at a given time

Calculate volume of direct runoff depth runoff hydrograph EXAMPLE :