Hydrology & Water Resources Engineering - Vol 2 | 32. Runoff by Abraham | Learn Smarter
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32. Runoff

32. Runoff

Runoff plays a crucial role in the hydrological cycle and is essential for effective water resource management. The chapter outlines various components of runoff, factors affecting it, methods to estimate basin yield, and techniques for analyzing runoff data through the SCS-Curve Number method and flow duration curves. Understanding these concepts is critical for managing water resources and flood control effectively.

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  1. 32

    Runoff is a critical element of the hydrological cycle, encompassing the...

  2. 32.1
    Components Of Runoff

    Runoff consists of surface runoff, interflow, and base flow, each with...

  3. 32.1.1
    Surface Runoff

    Surface runoff is a vital segment of the hydrological cycle, representing...

  4. 32.1.2
    Interflow (Subsurface Runoff)

    Interflow, also known as subsurface runoff, is the lateral movement of water...

  5. 32.1.3

    Base flow is the runoff that sustains river flows during dry periods,...

  6. 32.2
    Factors Affecting Runoff

    This section discusses the various factors that influence the generation and...

  7. 32.2.A
    Climatic Factors

    Climatic factors significantly influence runoff characteristics, affecting...

  8. 32.2.B
    Physiographic Factors

    Physiographic factors are significant determinants of runoff, influencing...

  9. 32.2.C
    Basin Characteristics

    Basin characteristics influence the runoff behavior within watersheds,...

  10. 32.3

    Basin yield refers to the total volume of water that can be extracted from a...

  11. 32.3.1

    Basin yield refers to the total volume of water available for use from a...

  12. 32.3.2
    Types Of Basin Yield

    This section outlines the definitions and types of basin yield, emphasizing...

  13. 32.3.3
    Assessment Of Basin Yield

    This section discusses the methods used to assess the basin yield, which...

  14. 32.4
    Scs-Cn Method Of Estimating Runoff

    The SCS-CN method provides a simplified approach to estimate direct runoff...

  15. 32.4.1

    This section outlines the foundational assumptions underlying the SCS-CN...

  16. 32.4.2
    Key Equations

    This section outlines key equations used in the SCS-CN method for estimating...

  17. 32.4.3

    The SCS-Curve Number method offers several advantages, making it a popular...

  18. 32.4.4

    The limitations of the SCS-CN method pertain to its applicability and...

  19. 32.5
    Flow Duration Curves

    Flow Duration Curves (FDC) graphically represent the percentage of time a...

  20. 32.5.1
    Construction Steps

    This section outlines the essential steps for constructing a Flow Duration...

  21. 32.5.2

    This section discusses the various applications of flow duration curves...

  22. 32.5.3

    This section classifies the components of runoff into surface runoff,...

  23. 32.6
    Mass Curve Of Runoff – Analysis

    The Mass Curve is a graphical representation used in hydrology to plot...

  24. 32.6.1
    Construction
  25. 32.6.2
    Applications

    This section discusses the various applications of mass curves for runoff...

  26. 32.6.3

    The advantages of using the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN)...

What we have learnt

  • Runoff consists of surface runoff, interflow, and base flow, each contributing differently based on hydrological conditions.
  • Basin yield can be assessed through empirical methods, hydrological modeling, and the use of mass curve and flow-duration curve analysis.
  • The SCS-Curve Number method provides a practical way to estimate runoff using limited data and established relationships.

Key Concepts

-- Runoff
The portion of precipitation that flows over land towards bodies of water, categorized into surface runoff, interflow, and base flow.
-- Basin Yield
The total volume of water that can be utilized from a river basin over a specified time period under certain conditions.
-- SCSCurve Number Method
A method developed by the USDA for estimating direct runoff based on factors such as precipitation, land use, and soil type.
-- Flow Duration Curve
A graphical representation of streamflow that shows the percentage of time a certain flow is exceeded, useful for water resource assessments.
-- Mass Curve
A plot of cumulative runoff volume against time, used to determine storage requirements for watersupply and reservoir planning.

Additional Learning Materials

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