Arbaminch University, School of Graduate Studies

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND......................................................1

1.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................................1

1.2 Background.................................................................................................................................2

2. PROBLEM DESCRIPTION...........................................................................4

3. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.................................................................5

4. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY....................................................................6

5. SCOPE OF THE STUDY..............................................................................6

6. MATERIALS AND METHODS.....................................................................6

6.1 Data source and collection process..............................................................................................7

6.2 Rainfall distribution and variability study.................................................................................7

6.3 Data analysis and fitting the probability distribution...............................................................7

7. EXPECTED OUTCOME................................................................................8

8. ACTIVITY SCHEDULE.................................................................................9

9. FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT.....................................................................10

10. References...............................................................................................11

Development of Intensity-Duration-Frequency Relationships for the SNNPR State

 Arbaminch University, School of Graduate Studies 1

1. Introduction and Background

1.1 Introduction

Rainfall Intensity-Duration-Frequency curves (IDF Curves) are graphical

representations of the amount of water that falls with in a given period of time. The
Intensity of Rainfall (I) is the rate at which it is falling, Duration(D) is the time for
which it is falling with that given intensity and frequency(F) is the average recurrence
time of that magnitude of rainfall (Dupont & et. al, 2000).

The IDF is one of the most commonly used tool in water resource engineering either for
planning , designing and operation of water resources projects , or the protection of
varies properties, settlements and engineering projects against flood damage. These
curves are used to help predict when an area will be flooded, or to pinpoint when a
certain rainfall rate or a specific volume of flow will recur in the future. Moreover,
adequate knowledge of rainfall magnitude, its duration, and frequency has its
indispensable use for the planning of water supply (especially rain water harvesting
schemes), irrigation development, urban sewer design and so on.

However, as a result of the existing limited hydro meteorological networks, its

inadequate data processing and dissemination practice, including lack of systematic
relationships between events, their duration and frequencies, the design of many water
resources, highway and urban drainage works is based on inadequate and unreliable
data and information.

Development of Intensity-Duration-Frequency Relationships for the SNNPR State

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1.2 Background

1.2.1 General

IDF relations have been developed since 1932 (Bernard, 1932). Since 1960s many sets
of relationships have been developed and the geographic distribution of this
relationships were studied and maps have been constructed for several developed
countries like those maps developed by the US weather bureau (Hirschfield, 1961).

Concerning the situation of the country, Ethiopia, until recently there were no
comprehensive IDF relationships like families of curves and maps. Because of lack of
this basic hydrologic tool, the planning and design of water resources development, soil
conservation programs , and other projects are often based on some assumptions and
empirical data , even some times using data from other countries . But, recently, the
Ethiopian Road Authority, ERA(1998) produced regional IDF curves for some given
durations and frequencies and Cherkos Tefera, 2002, at the Department of Civil
Engineering, Addis Ababa University, established Intensity-Duration-Frequency
relationships for northern half of Ethiopia.

1.1.2. Climate and rainfall pattern of Ethiopia

According to Gonfa (1996), climatological classification taking rainfall (R), and

temperature (T) as variables, Ethiopia is classified in to three basic categories of
climatological regions. These are Tropical rainy, dry climate and warm temperature
rainy climate. These three groups each sub divided in to three or more types making the
total principal climate type to eleven.

The Variations in precipitation throughout the country are the result of differences in
elevation and seasonal changes in the atmospheric pressure systems that control the
prevailing winds, and the country’s location in Africa's tropical zone and the country's

Development of Intensity-Duration-Frequency Relationships for the SNNPR State

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varied topography. Because of these factors, several regions receive rainfall during most
period of the year, but in other areas precipitation is seasonal. Generally, in the more
arid lowlands, rainfall is always too little.

The main rainy season is usually preceded in April and May by converging northeast
and southeast winds that produce a brief period of light rains, known as Belg. These
rains are followed by a short period of hot dry weather, and toward the middle of June
violent thunderstorms occur almost daily. In the southwest, precipitation is more evenly
distributed and also more abundant compared to the other part of the country. The
relative humidity and rainfall decrease generally from south to north and also in the
eastern lowlands. In general, Annual precipitation is heaviest in the southwest & limited
in the Great Rift Valley.

1.2.3. General Description of the study area

SNNPR Gorro
Kokir Gedebano
Soddo

Cheha Mesekan Ena Mareko

Enemor Ena Ener Gumer Silti
Yem Konteb Dalocha
Gesha Lemu Lanfaro
Masha Anderacha
Soro Alaba
Gimbo Angacha
Yeki Chena Menjiwo
Mareka Gena Badawoch
Esara Tocha Damot Weidie Awassa
Tello Loma Bosa
Bench Shebedino
Kindo Koiskha
Sheko Decha Ela
Offa Dale Arbegona
Humbo
Aleta Wondo Hula
Melekozza Kucha Bensa
Meinit Yirga Dera
Gofa Zuria Boreda Abaya
Wenago Aroresa
Basketo Deta Daramalo Bule
Zala Abamale Arbaminch Zuria Yirga Chefe Ethiopia
Kocherie
Bako Gazer Kemba
Silamago
Bonkie
Serma Dizi Amaro

Derashie
Burji
Konso
N Gorro
Kokir Gedebano
Soddo
Cheha Mesekan Ena Mareko
Enemor Ena Ener Gumer
Yem Konteb Dalocha
Silti

Gesha Lemu Lanfaro

Masha Anderacha
Soro Alaba
Gimbo Angacha

Hamer Bena
Yeki Chena Menjiwo
Mareka Gena Badawoch
Esara Tocha Damot Weidie Awassa
Tello Loma Bosa
Bench Shebedino
Kindo Koiskha
Sheko Decha Ela
Offa Humbo Dale Arbegona
Kucha Aleta Wondo Hula Bensa
Melekozza
Meinit Yirga Dera
Gofa Zuria Boreda Abaya Wenago
Basketo Deta Daramalo Aroresa
Bule

Kuraz
Zala Abamale Arbaminch Zuria Yirga Chefe
Kemba Kocherie
Silamago Bako Gazer Bonkie
Serma Dizi Amaro
Derashie
Burji

N
Konso

Hamer Bena
Kuraz

Southern Nation Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) is located between 4˚ 27’
-8˚ 30’ North Latitude and 34˚ 21’-39˚ 11’East Longitude that elongates at the south
western part of the country, Ethiopia. It has common borders with Kenya in the south,

Development of Intensity-Duration-Frequency Relationships for the SNNPR State

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the Republic of the Sudan in the South west, the State of Gambella Peoples' in the North
West, and the State of Oromia in the North and East.

According to the CSA (Central Statistics Authority) annual statistical report, the State
has an estimated area of about 112,323.19 square km. and accounts for some 10 percent
of the total area of Ethiopia. Regarding the size of its population, it is the regional state
with a population of about 13.7 million or 20 percent of the total population in the
country.

Concerning the topography and climate, the state has an undulating land feature
dissected by the Omo river basin into western and eastern parts. The elevation ranges
form 376 to 4, 207 meter above sea level. The lowest area and highest peaks in the State
is recorded near Lake Rudolf in South Omo and at Mount Goge in North Omo,
respectively. About 56 % of the total area of the State is found below 1,500 meters
elevation, which is categorized largely as hottest low land ("Kolla"). The rest 44% is
found in the temperate climatic zone. The mean annual rainfall of the State ranges from
500 - 2,200 mm. Its intensity, duration and amount increases from South to Northeast
and Northwest. The mean annual temperature of the State in general ranges form 15 0C
to 300C (www.ethiopar.net)

2. Problem Description

In Ethiopia, floods which result from summer torrential rains, some times observed at
some parts of the country, represent one of the most striking illustrations of the impacts
of extreme climatic event. On the other hand, one of the major problems in Ethiopia is
that even though, limited hydro meteorological networks exist in the country, the data
bases (data collection analysis , proper compilation and publication) is not in
accordance to the day to day growing demand. In this respect, these pertinent data and
information for the planning and design of water resources, high way and other projects
is not readily available. This can be expressed by the non-availability of adequately

Development of Intensity-Duration-Frequency Relationships for the SNNPR State

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processed and compiled standard information like representative rainfall pattern &
distribution, Intensity-Duration-Frequency curves and so on.

To effectively protect populations and ensure the longevity of infrastructures, it is

indispensable to accurately estimate the risks associated with extreme events and
consequently to supply to engineers, every key statistical elements necessary to build
reliable, safe and adequately positioned infrastructures. But, the Hydrological
information like IDF, being the principal input of design of water resources and other
similar sectors , it is not yet well developed and not yet readily available in a systematic
relationships to the concerned users

In this context and taking into account the recent trends of climate in the country it is
necessary to produce Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves for each region. Based
on a probabilistic approach, IDF curves illustrate the distribution of maximum rainfall
values for given short term durations.

3. Significance of the study

Engineers must often consider storm run-off when building a new structure. One of the
first steps in many hydrologic design projects such as in urban drainage design, risk
analysis of natural hazards, is the determination of the rainfall events or events to be
used. The most common approach is to use a design storm or event that involves a
relation ship between rainfall intensity (or depth), Duration and frequency or return
period appropriate for the facility and site location. IDF curves based on rainfall data
collected closer to an actual land development or redevelopment site may also be used if
such data covers a sufficiently long time period and is analyzed by appropriate
statistical methods.

The establishment of the IDF-curves for the region is an important task for various
engineering and other disciplines such as environmental management and analysis
concerns including the flood plain mapping program and pollution discharge

Development of Intensity-Duration-Frequency Relationships for the SNNPR State

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regulations. It is therefore, anticipated that institutions and individuals involved in

design and evaluation of water resource, highway and geomorphologic activities, will
utilize the result of this study.

4. Objectives of the study

The overall objectives of this study is to show distribution and variability of rainfall and
to produce an operational Intensity-Duration-Frequency curves for different recurrence
intervals by taking in to account available information on rainfall intensities in the
Southern Region of the country. The study also aims at the generation of IDF
parameters, construct curves, and rainfall intensity maps covering the region.

Specifically, the study aims to develop families of intensity duration frequency curves
for the stations for different return periods and establish mathematical relation ships
(equations) among intensity, duration and frequency and generate values of the
parameters.

5. Scope of the Study

This study is limited to the development of intensity-duration-frequency relationships

and construction of Intensity maps covering the SNNP Regional State based on the
available first class automatically recording rainfall stations in and around the region

6. Materials and Methods

The methodology includes, setting station selection criteria, formulating data collection
format, and developing data processing. Sampling of stations depends on three factors.
These are:
The stations should be geographically representative,
Type of stations should be first class (automatic recording stations)

Development of Intensity-Duration-Frequency Relationships for the SNNPR State

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6.1 Data source and collection process

The construction of IDF curves consists first of all in collecting the data of maximum
fallen rains for different laps of time. These rainfall data will be collected from the
available first class stations (that is automatic recording stations) from which intensities
can be directly driven and are assumed to be representative of the southern region. For
those stations with less length of record, the data from available observatory stations
will be taken and correlated with those data from first class stations.
To enrich the research work and make it more comprehensive, field visit will be made
to some stations to gather some information on measurement, recording and publishing
of data.

6.2 Rainfall distribution and variability study

The statistical parameters of the collected rainfall data will be computed for extracting
the essential information from a set of data. The variation in rainfall distribution with
respect to the local topography will also be studied.

6.3 Data analysis and fitting the probability distribution

Data analysis and fitting the theoretical probability distribution to the observed data as
well as numerical computation of the rainfall magnitude (X T) will be done for the
required durations and frequencies. To be sure with the reliability of the parameters
estimated, evaluation of the method will be done to obtain optimum agreement between
computed and observed data. This includes:
Fitting the probability distribution function and parameter estimation
Testing the goodness of fit of data to the probability distribution
Computation of extreme value (XT)
Calculation of intensity of rainfall

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7. Expected Outcome

Since a number of rainfall stations found in and around the region will be used for the
analysis, depending on the climate variations and physiography of the region, the IDF
relationships for the stations and the IDF maps to be developed for the region will be
expected to be comprehensive.

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8. Activity Schedule

Months
Activity Sept Oct Nov Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Sets of 10 days in a month 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
Preparation of Draft Proposal                                                
Discussion on the draft Proposal
Finalizing and Submission                                                
Literature Review                                                
Data Collection(Rainfall, Maps)                                                
Data analysis                                                
Preparation & submission of
interim report and discussion of
findings                                                
Preparation & submission of the
final report                                                

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9. Financial Requirement

Total
Unit Cost Cost
No. Cost Item Unit QTY (Birr) (Birr)
1 Material Costs        
1.1 Printing Paper Packet 5 40 200
1.2 Photocopy Paper Packet 5 40 200
1.3 Floppy Disc Packet 5 40 200
1.4 Compact Disc No. 25 20 500
1.6 Other Stationeries LS 1 300 300
1.9 Maps LS 100 15 1500
1.10 Map Digitizing LS 1 400 400
  Sub-Total       3300
2 Service Costs        
2.1 Data Encoding LS 1 500 500
2.2 Internet Services LS 1 200 200
2.3 Telephone Service LS 1 200 200
2.4 Printing LS 1 400 400
2.5 Typing and Binding of Report Documents LS 1 500 500
  Sub-Total       1800
3 Transportation and Perdiem Costs        
Transportation to Addis Ababa and field visit of
3.1 different Stations in the study area Trips 8 60 480
Perdiem during data collection and field visits to Addis
3.2 Ababa and different stations in the study area Days 20 70 1400
3.3 Cost for advisor LS 1 2500 2500
  Sub-Total       4380
Costs for purchasing of Software(Miduss IDF
4 curve fit software) for one license LS 1 8600 8600
  Sub-Total       8600
  Total       18080
  Contingency (10%)       1808
  Grand Total       19888

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10. References

Bernand, M.M. 1932. Formulas for Rainfall Intensity of Long Durations, Trans. ASCE. 96, 592-
624.

Cherkos T. 2002. Intensity-Duration-Frequency Relationships for Northern half of Ethiopia. MSc.

Theses. Addis Ababa University

Dupont, B.S & Allen, D.L. 2000. Revision of the Rainfall Intensity Curves for the Common Wealth
of Kentucky. Research Report. Kentucky.

Gonfa, L. 1996. Climatic Classification of Ethiopia. NMSA, Meteorological Research Series, No.3.
Addis Ababa.

Hirschfield, D.M. 1961. Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the United States. US Weather Bureau
Technical Paper 40. Washington, DC.

www.ethiopar.net.2002. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Basic Information. Southern

Nations and Nationalities.htm

Development of Intensity-Duration-Frequency Relationships for the SNNPR State