Hydrology

[9-2]
Runoff
Rating curves, discharge computation, and rainfallrunoff relations

Mohammad N. Almasri
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Streamflow Rate
Streamflow is not directly recorded, even though this
variable is perhaps the most important in hydrologic
studies
Instead, water level is recoded and streamflow is deduced
by means of a rating curve
The rating curve is developed using a set of measurements
of discharge and height (stage) in the stream
The measurements are made over a period of months or
years so as to obtain an accurate relationship between the
streamflow rate and the gage height at the gage site
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

The Rating Curve

The rating curve (after
construction) is then used to
convert records of water level
into flow rates

The rating curve should be

checked periodically to ensure
that the relationship between
the discharge and gage height
has remained constant
erosion of the stream bed or
deposition of sediment in the
stream can cause the rating
curve to change so that the
same recorded gage height
produces a different discharge
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

There is generally a
relationship between discharge
Q and stage h of the form:
Q = K (h-a)n
where K, a, and n are
constants. This equation helps
in extrapolation

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

The Rating Curve

To process the stagedischarge records, we can
conveniently utilize the
preceding equation by
plotting it on a log-log paper
log Q = log [K (h-a)n]
log Q = log K + n log (h-a)

Q2

Q1
K

To solve the above equation

(to determine K, n, and a) do
the following: try different
values of a until getting a
straight line (between log (ha) and log Q), n is the slope,
and K is the intersection at
log (h-a) = 0
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

(h-a) = 1

n=

(h-a)1

(h-a)2

log Q 2 log Q1
log(h a ) 2 log(h a )1

At (h-a) = 1 log (h-a) = 0

and log K = log Q or K = Q

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

The Rating Curve

Example

The stream discharges

for various stages at a
particular section were
observed to be as
follows
Obtain an equation for
the stage-discharge
relationship
Determine the
discharge for a stage
of 4.9 m and 12 m
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

The Rating Curve

Example

We have the general form

of the discharge-stage
relationship:
Q = K (h-a)n
The first step is to
determine a value of a.
Start by a guess of 0.6
and plot log (h-a) versus
log(Q). Apparently, the
curve is concave
downward. Repeat for
a=1.2 and you will notice
the curve is concave
upward. An intermediate
value of a=0.9 provides a
straight line
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

The Rating Curve

Example

Find n by
computing the
slope of the straight
line =
n (log 22 log 5.5) /
(log 4 log 2) 2

At (h-a) = 1, we
find that Q 1.2
m3/sec
The equation
becomes:
Q = 1.2 (h 0.9)2
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

At h = 4.9 m
Q = 1.2(4.9 0.9)2 = 19 m3/s
At h = 12 m
Q = 1.2(12 0.9)2 = 148 m3/s
Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Discharge Computation
Velocity-Area Method

In order to develop the rating curve we need to

have discharge values to couple up with the stage
measurements
Discharge measurements can be made in a number
of ways of which the most important are:
Velocity-area methods
Flow-measuring structures
Dilution gauging

Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Discharge Computation
Velocity-Area Method

The discharge is
calculated from
measurements of
velocity and depth
A marked line is
stretched across the
stream

The velocity is measured

using a current meter

The discharge at a cross

section of velocity Vi,
At regular intervals along
width wi and depth di is
the line, the depth of the
found
by: n
water is measured with a
graduated rod
Q = V d w

i =1

Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

i i

An-Najah National University

Discharge Computation

Velocity-Area Method - Example

At known distances from an initial point on the stream bank, the

measured depth and velocity of a stream are shown in the table
Compute the corresponding discharge at this location
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Discharge Computation

Velocity-Area Method - Example

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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Discharge Computation

Velocity-Area Method - Example

The first 4 columns are given
Compute first the width of the section (w)
Compute the representative depth (d) for each
section. Note that the measurement points
represent each section while for the edges,
interpolation is needed
The average velocity at this cross section is
3,062.7/1,693 = 1.81 ft/s
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Discharge Computation
Flow-Measuring Structures

These structures are designed so

that the stream discharge is made
to behave according to certain
well-known hydraulic laws (for
instance function of head)
Examples include weirs such as
the V-notch and Flumes

A flume at Badan catchment outlet

However, flow-measuring
structures are confined to streams
and small rivers since for wide
rivers and large flows they
become extremely expensive
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Discharge Computation
Dilution Gauging Method

This is an indirect method of measuring streamflow

in the essence that it does not require the use of
current meters or water level records
A known quantity of dye (tracer) is injected into the
flow at an upstream site and measured some
distance downstream when it has become
completely mixed in the water
By comparing the concentrations at the downstream
site with the mass of the dye injected at the
upstream site, the flow rate can be deduced
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Discharge Computation
Dilution Gauging Method

The very premise for using this method is to assume

full mixing of dye with water. Thus, this method is
suitable for turbulent and small streams
The mass of injected dye equals the total dye mass at
some distance downstream over specified time
C1
V
VC1 = Q(Cavg C0 )T2 Q =
(C avg C0 ) T2
where V: the volume of injection solution of
concentration C1 (L), C1: concentration of injection
solution (mg/L), C0: the background concentration
(mg/L), Cavg: the mean concentration (mg/L) at the
downstream location computed over time T2 (sec)
and Q: the streamflow (L/s)
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Discharge Computation

Dilution Gauging Method Example

In order to determine the
discharge for a stream, a
dye test was carried out.
A solution of 512 L of dye
concentration of 150
mg/L was injected at an
upstream location
The background
concentration of the dye
in the stream is almost
zero
At the site of interest,
continuous
measurements of dye
concentrations were
carried out and results
are depicted in the figure
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Find out the stream discharge

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Discharge Computation

Dilution Gauging Method Example

Cavg = 0.89 mg/L
T2 = 18 min
V = 512 L
C0 = 0
C1 = 150 mg/L
This gives
Q = 80 L/s

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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Volume of Runoff
Hydrographs

The area under the hydrograph provides the total

runoff

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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Volume of Runoff
Mass Curves

If the volumes denoted by the product of ordinate and time

interval of a hydrograph are plotted against time by adding
each new volume to the previous total, a cumulative mass
curve of runoff is obtained. Such a curve is shown in the
figure

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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Volume of Runoff
Mass Curves

Mass curves are

extremely useful in
determining storage
capacity of reservoirs
for supply of drawoff
OB: cumulative
drawoff
CD: maximum
required storage
capacity to ensure
this rate can be found
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

10

Flow Duration Curves

Flow duration
curves (FDC)
show the
percentage of
time that certain
values of
discharge
weekly, monthly,
or yearly were
equaled or
exceeded in the
available number
of years of record
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Discharge is equal to or greater than

4,000 ft3/s for 40% of the time

Flow duration curve for USGS

gauge # 12211500 for Nooksack
river near Lynden, Washington
State, US. Curve is based on a 22year period
Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

P = m / (n + 1)
where m is the
rank and n is the
total number of
years
An-Najah National University

Flow Duration Curves

Flow duration curves for long periods of runoff are
useful for deciding what proportion of flow should
be used for particular purposes (for power
development for instance)
Flow duration curves are useful for determining the
duration of floods or droughts

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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

11

Rainfall-Runoff Correlation
While there is a general cause-and-effect relationship
between rainfall and the resulting runoff, however it is
not a direct one
This is due to the evaporation, interception, depression
storage and infiltration in addition to the properties of
catchments
Nevertheless, it may be possible to establish an empirical
relationship for a particular catchment based on annual
precipitation and runoff. To do this it is best to use a
water-year rather than a calendar year
This is a 12-month period starting and finishing at the
time of seasonal minimum flow
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

Rainfall-Runoff Correlation
If precipitation and
runoff are plotted
against each other
as catchment
depths, a correlation
like that shown in
the figure may be
obtainable
Just keep in mind
that the figure is
developed based on
annual values
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Hydrology Fall 2007 [9-2] Runoff

Mohammad N. Almasri, PhD

An-Najah National University

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