ADJUSTMENT

OF
STREAMFLOW DATA
 streamflow data should be carefully
reviewed and adjusted for errors
resulting from instrumental and
observational deficiencies until they are
as accurate a presentation of the flow as
it is possible to make.
 double-mass curve
• used to adjust inconsistent precipitation data.
• The double-mass curve method implies a
relationship of the form q=kP
• The theory of the double-mass curve is based on
the fact that a graph of the cumulation of one
quantity against the cumulation of an other
quantity during the same period will plot as a
straight line so long as the data are proportional
A more effective procedure is to develop a
relationship between precipitation and runoff
and make a double-mass curve of observed
streamflow versus runoff as estimated from
this relation.
Storage reservoirs, diversions, levees, etc., cause
changes in either total flow volume or rate of
flow or both.

The adjustment of the streamflow record for the

effect of reservoirs or diversions on flow volume
requires the addition of the net change in storage
and/or the total diversion to the reported total
flow. It may be necessary to consider also
channel losses and losses by evaporation from
the reservoirs.
Correction for effect of storage or diversion on
flow rates is made by adding the rate of
change of storage or the diversion rate to the
observed flows. In addition, it may be
necessary to use storage-routing techniques
to correct for the effect of channel storage
between the reservoir or diversion point and
the gaging station.
Land-use changes, urbanization, deforestation,
or reforestation affect streamflow and cause
apparent shifts in the flow record. Unless the
timing and areal extent of such changes are
well documented, correction of record is
almost impossible.
MEAN ANNUAL RUNOFF
The average amount of water that flows down a
particular river, per year, expressed either as a
depth (in millimetres) of water spread evenly
across the entire drainage basin, or as a
volume (in cubic metres) of water flowing past
a given point.
Such a map is intended to present a general picture
of geographical variations in runoff. It cannot
possibly show fine detail and should be used only
for general information and preliminary studies.
It should not be used as a source of information
for a specific design problem. Such information
can be developed more reliably through use of
actual streamflow data and the analytical
techniques discussed in the chapters which
follow. It is helpful to coordinate precipitation
maps and evaporation maps with the runoff map.
STREAMFLOW VARIATIONS
The normal or average values of runoff serve an
important purpose, but they do not disclose all
the pertinent information concerning the
hydrology of an area. Especially significant are
variations of streamflow about this normal. These
variations include the following:
• Variations in total runoff from year to year
• Seasonal variations in runoff
• Variations of daily rates of runoff throughout the
year