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SCS TR-55 (GPM)

This document presents the graphical peak discharge method for calculating peak discharge in small watersheds. The method requires 6 inputs: time of concentration, drainage area, rainfall distribution region, 24-hour rainfall amount, curve number, and ponding/swamp factors. Several steps are involved: determine rainfall distribution and rainfall amount, compute runoff using the curve number method, find the unit peak discharge from graphs based on time of concentration and rainfall-runoff ratios, and apply pond/swamp factors if needed. Limitations include homogeneous watersheds and applicable time and runoff ranges. Examples demonstrate applying the method.

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90 views16 pages

SCS TR-55 (GPM)

This document presents the graphical peak discharge method for calculating peak discharge in small watersheds. The method requires 6 inputs: time of concentration, drainage area, rainfall distribution region, 24-hour rainfall amount, curve number, and ponding/swamp factors. Several steps are involved: determine rainfall distribution and rainfall amount, compute runoff using the curve number method, find the unit peak discharge from graphs based on time of concentration and rainfall-runoff ratios, and apply pond/swamp factors if needed. Limitations include homogeneous watersheds and applicable time and runoff ranges. Examples demonstrate applying the method.

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Slim Salim
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SCS TR-55

Urban Hydrology for Small


Watersheds

Graphical Peak
Discharge Method
Presented by: G. Windsor Tracy, PLS
October 2017
Presented by:
G. Windsor Tracy, PLS
30 years experience
Licensed in 1993
10 years self employed
Performed Hydraulic & Hydrologic Studies for various
size projects

10/10/2017 2
Introduction
Graphical Peak Discharge Method
Allows for the calculation of peak discharge
Required inputs:
Tc (hours)
Drainage Area (square miles).
Rainfall Distribution Region (I, IA, II, III)
24 Hour Rainfall (inches)
CN
Ponding and Swamp Factors
10/10/2017 3
Graphical Peak Discharge Equation

qp = qu Am Q Fp [eq. 4-1]

where:
qp = peak discharge (cfs)
qu = unit peak discharge (csm/in)
Am = drainage area (mi2)
Q = runoff (in)
Fp= pond and swamp adjustment factor

10/10/2017 4
Pond & Swamp Factors
For pond and swamps located within the drainage area,
AND are not considered in the time of concentration
(Tc), THEN an adjustment for pond and swamp is
needed.

10/10/2017 5
General Steps for Computing
For the watershed selected, find the appropriate rainfall
distribution from Table B-2 (I, IA, II, III)

10/10/2017 6
General Steps for Computing
Find the desired rainfall frequency, the 24-Hour
rainfall amount (P), using TABLE 5.1 - Pennsylvania
Rainfall by County, from page 109 in the Pennsylvania
Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manual

10/10/2017 7
General Steps for Computing
Find the CN (curve number) value and compute Q
using the CN value and P (rainfall amount)

Derived Equation:
Q= (P-((200/CN)-2))^2/(P+(800/CN)-8)

10/10/2017 8
General Steps for Computing
Using the CN (curve number) value, an initial
abstraction (Ia) is obtained from Table 4-1. An
Ia/P ration is then computed.

10/10/2017 9
General Steps for Computing
Exhibit 4 has the four (4) graphs for Type I, IA, II, III
rainfall distributions. For a Tc & Ia/P ratio, a qu is
read. If the computed
Ia/P is outside the
range shown on the
graph, use the limiting
value (0.1, 0.5). If the
ratio falls between the
limiting factors, then
use interpolation.

10/10/2017 10
General Steps for Computing
If a pond or swamp adjustment factor is required,
use Table 4-2.

10/10/2017 11
Limitations
Can only be used for peak discharge
Watershed must be homogenous (one CN value)
Only one main stream
Cannot perform valley or reservoir routing
Ia/P must be in range given in the manual
(3.000 0.041)
Tc values can range from 0.1 hours to 10 hours

10/10/2017 12
Test Question
What are the six (6) input requirements for the
Graphical Peak Discharge Method?

Tc Hours
Drainage Area (square miles)
Rainfall Distribution Region (I, IA, II, III)
24 Hour Rainfall (inches)
CN
Ponding and Swamp Factor
10/10/2017 13
Example 1

Drainage Area = 250 acres


Location = Bedford County
CN = 75
Tc = 1.5 hours
Rainfall Distribution =
P100 =

10/10/2017 14
Example 2

Drainage Area = 0.6 Square Miles


Location = Montgomery County
CN = 80
Tc = 2.2 hours
Rainfall Distribution =
P50 =

10/10/2017 15
Example 3

Drainage Area = 1.0 Square Miles


Location = Monroe County
CN = 85
Tc = 1.0 hours
Rainfall Distribution =
P50 =

10/10/2017 16

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