Tuesday, August 10, 2021

a) What is Unit Hydrograph? Discuss Unit Hydrograph method of estimating maximum Probable Discharge.

 

Unit Hydrograph

            A unit hydrograph can be defined as a direct runoff (output) of a hydrograph from a single unit rain fall, which is distributed evenly over the an area at the same rate over a specified period known as the unit time or unit length.

The hydrograph unit is a direct response function of a water runoff. It assumes that the time frame of the hydrograph remains unchanged regardless of the rate at which the water flow is due to various simultaneous storms.

 

Basically, the hydrograph shows us the ways in which a river is affected by a storm. This helps us to understand the patterns of drainage of certain water basins and helps to predict floods and to plan flood prevention measures.

The Unit Hydrograph (UH) process is widely used for runoff measurements, especially in determining maximum output.

1.                  The flood hydrograph can be calculated with the help of very short data records.

2.                  In addition to the flow unit hydrograph also provides the total flow and distribution time.

3.                  The hydrograph unit process can be easily computerized to make the calculations work.

Unit Hydrograph method of estimating maximum Probable Discharge.

Ø  The Direct Runoff (DRO) is obtained by subtracting base flow from discharge values.

Ø  The DRO is then multiplied by time interval to get total volume.

Ø  This total volume is divided by catchment area to get depth of effective rainfall in centimeters spread uniformly over whole catchment.

Ø  By definition of unit hydrograph, its ordinates are obtained by dividing ordinates of DRO by effective rain.

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