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11-Streamflow

The document discusses the processes of runoff and streamflow, detailing the sources of streamflow such as direct runoff and base runoff. It explains the methods for measuring streamflow, including stage measurement and discharge measurement, as well as the factors affecting runoff like climate and watershed properties. Additionally, it outlines various methods to estimate runoff properties, including hydrologic frequency analysis and hydrograph analysis.

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14 views34 pages

11-Streamflow

The document discusses the processes of runoff and streamflow, detailing the sources of streamflow such as direct runoff and base runoff. It explains the methods for measuring streamflow, including stage measurement and discharge measurement, as well as the factors affecting runoff like climate and watershed properties. Additionally, it outlines various methods to estimate runoff properties, including hydrologic frequency analysis and hydrograph analysis.

Uploaded by

christinevillacorta.basc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Streamflow & Runoff

RUNOFF
PROCESS
- part of HC
- T, M & O of
water from
P, overland
flow and
discharge to
streams STREAMFLOW ( or RUNOFF)
- water reaching the channels
- results from several factors
Typical
Watershed
– with a
mainstream
and its
tributaries
Sources of
Streamflow
1) DRO =
(Surface
Runoff + Direct
precipitation)
2) BRO or BF
= (Subsurface
flow +
Groundwater
flow)
Sources of Streamflow
1) DRO = (Surface Runoff + Direct precipitation)
2) BRO = (Subsurface flow + Groundwater flow)

DRO = DIRECT RUNOFF


BRO = BASE RUNOFF
BF = BASEFLOW

Surface runoff (Overland Flow)


Subsurface flow (Interflow)
Groundwater flow (Baseflow)
Total streamflow = DRO + BF
E T

Water table

1st Phase – Rainless Period


RO R

2nd Phase – Initial period of rain


• Water table intersects the stream bottom
• Flow may come from DRO and BF
• Perennial streams

Water table
INFLUENT STREAM

Water table

• Water table falls below the stream bottom


• Flow may seep and join GW
• Flows during rainy period only
STREAMFLOW MEASUREMENT
 Streamflow information can be used for a
wide variety of uses:
 flood prediction, water management and
allocation
 engineering design, research
 operation of locks and dams
 recreational safety and enjoyment
STREAMFLOW MEASUREMENT OR
STREAMGAGING
Streamflow (Q), L3/t

 Almost always a dependent variable


 Difficult to make a direct and continuous record

River Stage or Stage (S)


 height of the water surface at a location along a stream or river
STREAMGAGING INVOLVES…

1. obtaining a continuous record of stage


2. obtaining periodic measurements of
discharge
3. defining the natural but often
changing relation between the stage
and discharge
4. using the stage- discharge relation to
convert the continuously measured
stage into estimates of streamflow or
discharge.
1) Stage measurement

Using a staff gage

Using a stilling well


Stilling Well
 Water from the river enters and leaves the stilling
well through underwater pipes allowing the water
surface in the stilling well to be at the same elevation
as the water surface in the river.
 The stage is then measured inside the stilling well
using a float or a pressure, optic, or acoustic sensor.
 The measured stage value is stored in an electronic
data recorder on a regular interval, usually every 15
minutes.
2) Discharge measurement

Q = VA
V = mean velocity of flow, L
A = cross sectional area of flow, L2

a) velocity measurement
Mechanical current-meter method
- the stream channel cross section is
divided into numerous vertical
subsections
a) velocity measurement

QTOT = Qi = Q1+Q2+Q3+…+Qi


a) velocity measurement

Qi = ViAi
Current meter
• has a wheel of six metal cups that revolve
around a vertical axis.
• an electronic signal is transmitted by the meter
on each revolution allowing the revolutions to be
counted and timed.
• Because the rate at which the cups revolve is
directly related to the velocity of the water, the
timed revolutions are used to determine the
water velocity.
• meter must be attached to a wading rod for
measuring in shallow waters or to be mounted
just above a weight suspended from a cable and
reel system for measuring in fast or deep water.
3. Defining the relation between the stage
and discharge

Stage, m

Discharge, m3/s

Rating Curve – a plot of S vs Q


3. Defining the relation between the stage
and discharge
4. Using the stage and discharge relation to
calculate Q
Analysis & interpretation of
streamflow data

Q, m3/s

t, s

Hydrograph – a plot of Q vs t
A typical hydrograph
2

1 3
Q, m3/s

1 – Rising limb
2 – Crest segment
3 – Recession limb
t, s

Hydrograph – a plot of Q vs t
D

i, m/s

t, s
3
4
2

Q, m3/s 5
1

t, s
D

i, m/s

t, s TP – time to peak - time it


TP takes for flow to peak

Q, m3/s
TL – lag time = Tp – (D/2)

TL

Tb – basetime – time it takes


t, s
Tb
for water to rise and recede
FACTORS AFFECTING RUNOFF

A. Climate
B. Watershed properties
CLIMATIC FACTORS
 Rainfall pattern

b
a c

a b c

t
TPa < TPb < TPc
Climatic factors

 Intensity QPa < QPb < QPc

i
a b c
t

t
FACTORS AFFECTING RUNOFF

Watershed properties

1) Slope & topography


2) Vegetal cover
3) Soil type
METHODS TO ESTIMATE RUNOFF
PROPERTIES

1. Hydrologic frequency analysis


2. Rational equation : Q = cIA
3. Regression and correlation
analysis
4. Hydrograph analysis

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