Lecture 10

Base flow separation

The surface flow hydrograph is obtained from the total storm
hydrograph by separating the quick-response flow from the slow
runoff. In other words Surface flow hydrograph is obtained by
deducting the base flow from the total storm hydrograph.

Methods of base-flow separation

Three

Method-I Method-II

Method-III

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 Lecture 10(contd.)
Method I – Straight – Line Method
In this method the separation of the base flow is achieved by joining
with a straight line with the beginning of the surface runoff to a point (A)
on the recession limb representing the end of the direct runoff point
(B).
Peak

Discharge Q (m3/s)
N days
The time interval N (days)
can be computed by an ● Pi Method-I
empirical equation from F
A
the peak to the point B is B● E
● ●
as follows: Method-II
C
N = 0.83 A0.2 (7-6) Time
Figure 10-1: Base flow separation methods
Where, A = drainage area
in km2 and N (time
interval) is in days.

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 Lecture 10(contd.)
Method II
In this method the base flow curve existing prior to the
commencement of the surface runoff is extended till it intersects
the ordinate PC is drawn at the point C. This point is joined to point
B and A by straight lines. Segment AC and CB demarcate the base
flow and surface runoff. This method is most widely used base-
flow separation procedure.

Method III
In this method the base flow recession curve after the
depletion of the flood water is extended backwards till it
intersects the ordinate at point of inflection (line EF) in the
above figure7-6. Points A and F are joined together by an
arbitrary smooth curve. This method of base-flow separation
is realistic in situation where the ground water contributions
are significant and reach the stream quickly.
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 Lecture 10(contd.)
DRH
The surface runoff hydrograph obtained after the base-flow
separation is also known as direct runoff hydrograph (DRH).

Effective rainfall
For the purposes of correlating DRH with the rainfall which
produced the flow, the graph is drawn by subtracting losses from
the DRH is called hyetograph. Following figure10-2 shows the
hyetograph of a storm.

Intensity in (cm/h
Rainfall excess
Losses
Figure 10-2: Effective rainfall
hydrograph (ERH)

Time in hours
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 Lecture 10(contd.)
Figure10-3: Effective rainfall hydrograph (ERH)
0.8

0.7
Precipitation (inches)
0.6

0.5
Rainfall
Uniform loss excess
0.4
rate of 0.20
inches per hour
0.3

0.2
Losses
0.1

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Time in hours

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 Lecture 10(contd.)
ERH
The hyetograph is drawn by subtracting initial losses and
infiltration losses from DRH is known as Effective Rainfall
Hyetograph(ERH) . It is also known as hyetograph of rainfall
excess or supra rainfall.

Both DRH and ERH represent the same total quantity but in
different units. Since ERH is usually in cm/h plotted against time,

Hence,
the total volume of direct runoff
= the area of ERH multiplied x the catchment area

This calculated volume is equal to the area of DRH.

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 Lecture 10(contd.)
Example 7-2
Rainfall of magnitude 3.8 cm and 2.8 cm occurring on two
consecutive 4-h durations on a catchment of area 27 km2
produced the following hydrograph of flow at the outlet of the
catchment. Estimate the rainfall excess and ø - index.

Time from start of - 6 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66

rainfall (h)
0bserved flow 6 5 13 26 21 16 12 9 7 5 5 4.5 4.5
(m3/s)

Solution
Given : Rainfall magnitudes- (i) storm -1 :- 3.80 cm
and (ii) Storm -2 :- 2.80 cm ; Duration 4 hrs
consecutively Catchment area = 27 km2
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 Lecture 10(contd.)
To be estimated the rainfall excess and ø - index.
The hydrograph is plotted to scale as shown in the figure 3. It is
seen that the storm hydrograph has a base flow component.

N-days
3.26 cm 0 4 8h
ø - index
2.26 cm
Discharge (m3/s)

Total Rainfall Excess

30
Hydrograph
20

10 Direct runoff = 5.52 cm

A Area of DRH B
0 Base flow
- 6 0 6 12 66
Time in hr.
Figure 10-3: Base flow separation for the example 7-2 8
 Lecture 10(contd.)

First Base flow is separated by using Method-1 i.e. simple straight

line method of base flow separation.

Calculation of time from peak to end of depletion curve

N = 0.83 A0.2 ; A = 27 km2

or, N = 0.83 x270.2 = 1.6 days x24h =38.4, say, 38.5 h

However, From the figure, DRH starts at t = 0, and the peak at t= 12 h

and ends at t = 48 h. Hence the value of

N = 48 – 12 = 36 h which is more satisfactory than 38.5h,in this case.

DRH is assumed to exist from t = 0 to 48 h. A straight line base flow

separation gives a constant value of 5 m3/s for the base flow.

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 Lecture 10(contd.)

Base is equal to each segment, i.e. 12-6= 6 days and so on. Segment
area is almost triangular.

Hence, Area of DRH = 6 x 6ox60 { ½ (8) + ½ ( 8+21) + ½ (21+16) +

½ (16+ 11) + ½ ( 11+ 7) + ½ ( 7 + 4) + ½ (4+ 2) ½ ( 2)}

Area of DRH = 6 x 60x60 x ( 8 + 21+16+11+7+4+2) = 1.4904 x106m3

Area of DRH = total direct runoff due to storm = 1.4904 x106m3

Runoff depth = runoff volume / catchment area

Runoff depth = (1.4904 m3 x 106)/ (27 x 106) = 0.0552 m = 5.52 cm

Runoff depth = Direct runoff = 5.52 cm

 Lecture 10(contd.)

Total rainfall = 3.8 + 2.8 = 6.6 cm

Duration = given consecutive 4-h i.e. = 4 + 4 = 8 h

ø - index. = (6.6 – 5.52)/8 = 0.135 cm/h

losses in 4 h = (ø – index) × t = 0.135 X 4 = 0.54 cm

Rainfall excess for first 4 h = (Total rainfall - losses)

= 3.80 – 0.54 = 3.26 cm

and next 4h = 2.8-0.54 = 2.26 cm

Ans ø - index = 0.135 cm /h and

rainfall excess: 3.26 and 2.26 cm

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 Lecture 10(contd.)
Example 7-3
A storm over a catchment of area 5.0 km2 had a duration of
14 hours rainfall. The data of mass curve of rainfall of the
storm is mentioned in the Data Table-1 below.
If the ө-index for the catchment is 0.4 cm/h, determine
the effective rainfall hyetograph and the volume of
direct runoff from the catchment due to the storm.
Time from start storm(h) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Accumulated rainfall(cm) 0 0.6 2.8 5.2 6.7 7.5 9.2 9.6

Solution
Given: Total rainfall duration = 14 hours;
Catchment area = 5.0 km2
ө-index for the catchment is 0.4 cm/h
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 Lecture 10(contd.)
To be calculated
(a) the effective rainfall hyetograph and the intensity of ER

(b) the volume of direct runoff from the catchment due to the storm.

(a) Calculation of effective rainfall hyetograph:

Time of rainfall interval, ∆t = (4-2) hr = (2-0) hr = 2 hr .

ө -index = 0.4 cm/h (given)

From the Data table: Actual depth of rainfall = 2.8 – 0.6 = 2.2 cm
ER = Effective Rainfall = Actual depth of rainfall – infiltration
ER = (From table )Actual depth of rainfall – ө ∆t = 2.2 – 0.4 × 2
= 1.4 cm and so on
ER = (actual depth of rainfall - ø ∆t) will be + ve
If , ER = - ve , then, ER = 0

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 Lecture 10(contd.)
Calculation Table
Time from Time Accumulate Depth of ө ∆t ER Intensity of
start of interval d rainfall in rainfall in ∆t (cm) (cm) ER (cm/h)
storm (h) ∆ t (h) ∆t(cm) (cm)

0 0 0 - - - -
2 2 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.0 0.0
4 2 2.8 2.2 0.8 1.4 0.7
6 2 5.2 2.4 0.8 1.6 0.8
8 2 6.7 1.5 0.8 0.7 0.35
10 2 7.5 0.8 0.8 0 0
12 2 9.2 1.7 0.8 0.9 0.45
14 2 9.6 0.4 0.8 0 0

Total ER (effective rainfall) = Direct runoff due to storm

= Area of ER hyetograph
(a) Total ER = (0 + 0.7 + 0.8+0.35+0+ 0.45 + 0) ×2 = 4.60 cm

(b) Volume of Direct runoff = (4.6 / 100 ) x 5 km2

= (0.046 x 5 x (1000)2 = 230,000 m3

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 Lecture 10(contd.)

0 .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 1.0
Rainfall intensity(cm/h)

0.8
0.7

0.45
0.35

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Time in hours

Figure10-4: ERH of Storm for Example 7 -3

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 Lecture 10(contd.)

CHAPTER-8
UNIT HYDROGRAPH
The hydrograph that results from unit depth (1-inch) of excess
precipitation (or runoff) spread uniformly in space and time over a
catchment for a given duration (D-hour) is called unit hydrograph.

The main points :

1-inch of EXCESS precipitation
Spread uniformly over space - evenly over the catchment
Uniformly in time - the excess rate is constant over the time
interval
There is a given duration

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 Lecture 10(contd.)

USE OF UNIT HYDROGRAPH

The analysis of hydrological data found from storm to
storm in a known catchment, many problems arise to
predict the flood hydrograph. To solve this problem, there
are many methods. The unit hydrograph method is the
most popular and widely used. The unit hydrograph
method was first introduced by American engineer
Sherman in 1932.

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 Lecture 10(contd.)

Unit Hydrograph Theory

Sherman - 1932
Horton - 1933
Wisler & Brater - 1949 - “the hydrograph of surface runoff
resulting from a relatively short, intense rain, called a unit storm.”

Black, 1990 –
The runoff hydrograph may be “made up” of runoff that is
generated as flow through the soil

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 Lecture 10(contd.)
Unit Hydrograph Theory

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 Lecture 10(contd.)

Unit Hydrograph components

1. Duration
2. Lag Time
3. Time of Concentration
4. Rising Limb
5. Recession Limb (falling limb)
6. Peak Flow
7. Time to Peak (rise time)
8. Recession Curve
9. Separation
10. Base flow

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 Lecture 10(contd.)

Graphical Representation

Duration of excess
precipitation.
Peak
Unit
Discharge

hydrograph
Lag time

Time of concentration

Base flow

Time

Figure10-5
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 Lecture 10(contd.)

What does mean 2-hours Unit hydrograph?

It means unit hydrograph of 2 hours duration rainfall.
Generally it expresses as D-hours Unit hydrograph.

For the application of the unit hydrograph method

several assumptions has been considered: Some of
them are –

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 Lecture 10(contd.)

Assumption No.1 :
There is a direct proportional
relationship between the
R (mm)

Unit Hydrograph (TUH)

0 1 2

effective rainfall and the surface

T runoff. The figure-1 shows two
Q (m3/s)

2 x TUH units of effective rainfall falling

in time T produce a surface
runoff hydrograph that has its
0 T
ordinates twice the TUH
Time
ordinates, similarly for any
Figure10-6: Example of proportional value. For example,
Assumption—1 if a 6.5 mm of effective rainfall
fall on a catchment area in T-h
then the hydrograph from that
effective rainfall will be by
multiplying the ordinates of the
TUH with the 6.5.
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 Lecture 10(contd.)
Assumption-2 :
If two successive amounts of effective rainfall, R1 and R2 each fall
in T-h, then the surface runoff hydrograph produced is the sum
of the component hydrographs due to R1 and R2 separately( the
latter being lagged by T-h on the former). TUH is available, it can
be used to estimate design flood hydrographs from design
storms. R R
R (mm)

1 2
0 1 2

t
T 2T
Surface Runoff
due to (R1 + R2)
(m3/s)

(R1) x TUH
Q

(R2) x TUH

T 2T t

Figure10-7 : Example of Assumption— 2

 Lecture 10(contd.)

Assumption -3:
The effective rainfall-surface runoff relationship does
not change with time, i.e. that the same TUH always
occurs whenever the unit of effective rainfall in T-h is
applied. Using this assumption of invariance, once a
TUH has been derived for a catchment area it could be
used to represent the response of the catchment
whenever required.

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 Lecture 10(contd.)

Weakness of unit hydrograph method

1. The assumptions of unit hydrograph must be applied to natural
Catchment
2. In relating, effective rainfall to surface runoff, the amount of
effective rainfall depends on the state of the catchment before
the storm event.
3. Only when the ground deficiencies have been made up and the
rainfall becomes fully effective will extra rainfall in the same
time period produce proportionally more runoff.
4. The first assumption of proportionality of response to the
effective rainfall conflicts with the observed non-proportional
behavior of river flow.
5. In a second period of effective rain, the response of a catchment
will be dependent on the effects of the first input.
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 Lecture 10(contd.)
Weakness of unit hydrograph method
(contd.)
6. The third assumption of time invariance implies
that whatever the state of the catchment, a unit
of effective rainfall in T-h will always produce
the same TUH. But the response of hydrograph
of a catchment must vary according to the
season.

7. Another weakness of the unit hydrograph

method is the assumption that the effective
rainfall is produced uniformly both in the time T
and over the area of the catchment.
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 Lecture 10(contd.)
Example 8-1
The ordinates of a 6-h unit hydrograph for a catchment are
given below. Calculate the ordinates of the DRH due to a
rainfall excess of 3.5 cm occurring in 6 hr and draw the DRH
(Direct Runoff Hydrograph).

Time (h) 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 69

UH
ordinate 0 25 50 85 125 160 185 160 110 60 36 25 16 8 0
(m3/s)

Solution
Given : Rainfall excess – 3.5 cm
6-h unit hydrograph ordinates

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 Lecture 10(contd.)
To be calculated DRH due to 3.5 cm ER
Plot the 6-h unit hydrograph for the given values in the table for a
catchment. As per assumption –1 of unit hydrograph the desired
ordinates of DRH are obtained by multiplying the ordinates of the
unit hydrograph by 3.5 cm ER.
6h
3.5 cm DRH derived from 6-h unit hydrograph.

Use mm Graph Paper

800 3.5 Rainfall excess for hydrograph plotting
Discharge Q (m3/s)
Figure 10-7:

6-h 3.5 cm
Hydrograph
600

6-h Unit
Hydrograph (1 cm)
200

Direct Runoff
0

0 6 12 18 66

Time in hours
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 Lecture 10(contd.)
Detail calculations:
At 3 hours : Ordinates of 3.5 cm DRH
= 3.5 * 6-h Unit Hydrograph ordinate
= 3.5 * 25 = 87.5 m3/h; Similarly other ordinate
Calculation Table
Time ordinates of 6-h ordinate of 3.5 Time ordinates of ordinate of 3.5
(h) unit hydrograph cm DRH (m3/h) (h) 6-h unit hydrograph cm DRH (m3/h)
(m3/h) (m3/h)
0 0 0 36 60 210.0
3 25 87.5 42 36 126.0
6 50 175 48 25 87.5
9 85 297.5 54 16 56.0
12 125 437.5 60 8 28.0
15 160 560.0 69 0 0
18 185 647.5
24 160 760.0
30 110 385.0

Plot 3.5 cm DRH using the ordinates from the table as shown in
the graph above (mm graph paper)
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