HYDROLOGY -

BASIC CONCEPTS
 Hydrograph
 Introduction
 When a storm occurs it contributes to the stream
flow. Various instruments are used to document
storm characteristics,
 for example, rain gauges are used to record period
and depth of rainfall, current meter is used to find
discharge in streams, etc.
 The data thus collected is analyzed for its
beneficial use. The stream flow characteristics are
analyzed by what is called hydrograph analysis.

Continued..
 Hydrograph
 The graphical relation between any hydrological
quantity (stage, velocity, discharge, etc.) & the
time is known as a hydrograph.
 Hydrographs are of three types:
 Discharge Hydrograph
 Stage Hydrograph

 Velocity Hydrograph

Continued..
 Hydrograph
 Discharge Hydrograph
 It is the graphical representation of discharge against time.
Generally a hydrograph means discharge hydrograph.
 Stage Hydrograph
 It is the graphical representation of stage against time. Stage
hydrograph is useful only for the design of flood-protection
works like embankment.
 Velocity Hydrograph
 It is the graphical representation of velocity against time.
 Effective Rainfall
 All of the rain usually does not go into the
stream but a certain part of it reaches the stream
& causes rise in the stream flow while the
remaining part of rain is accounted for in
various forms of precipitation losses.
 The portion of rainfall which contributes to
stream flow is called Effective Rainfall.
 Basin Lag or Time Lag
 A useful index to define the location of the peak
of the hydrograph is the basin lag, which is the
time difference between the center of mass of
the rainfall and the center of the mass of the
hydrograph.
 Rise of the stream flow depends upon the
effective rainfall and type of the soil, and time
lag depends upon type of area & also upon
characteristics of rainfall (Figure 1).

Continued..
 Basin Lag or Time Lag
Hydrograph
Lag
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
Discharge, Q

3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Time, t

Figure 1: Time Lag in Surface Runoff DRO Hydrograph

 Parts of a Hydrograph
 A hydrograph consists of three Parts (Fig 2):
 The rising Limb ‘BC’
 The crest or peak ‘C’.

 The falling Limb or Recession curve ‘CDE’

 The shape of the rising limb depends upon the

storm characteristics which are the duration of
rainfall, intensity of rainfall, areal distribution of
the rainfall, etc.

Continued..
 Parts of a Hydrograph
 The crest segment is controlled by the storm
characteristics and the distribution of streams in
the area, which further depends upon geological
structure of the area.
 The falling limb depends upon the control on
storage release, which itself depends upon the
geological structure.

Continued..
 Parts of a Hydrograph
Hydrograph

6.0 Crest
C
5.0
Discharge, Q

4.0 Rising Limb

D Falling Limb or
3.0 Recession Curve
2.0 A

1.0 B E

0.0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Time, t

DRO Hydrograph

Fig 2: Parts of Hydrograph

 Components of Hydrograph
 A hydrograph normally consists of the four
components:
 Channel Precipitation
 Direct Runoff (DRO)
 Inter Flow or Sub-surface Flow
 Ground or Base Flow
 Hydrograph Analysis
 Separation of Hydrograph Components
 Hydrograph Analysis means dividing total runoff
indicated by the hydrograph into its (above-
mentioned) components, of which direct runoff
(DRO) and Base Flow are more important.
 The separation of hydrograph components is done
by one of the following four methods.
 Straight Line Method
 Fixed Base Length Method
 Variable Slope Method
 Recession Curve Equation

Continued..
 Hydrograph Analysis
 Straight Line Method
 A hydrograph as shown in Figure 3. From point
‘A’ draw a straight horizontal line which meets
the falling limb of hydrograph at point ‘B’.
 Above line ‘AB’ is the direct runoff and below
this line is the base flow.
 The volumes of direct runoff and base flow (i.e.
area under the curve) can be calculated by any
suitable method.

Continued..
 Hydrograph Analysis
 The Straight Line Method for separation of
hydrograph has the advantage of producing an
extremely long time base for the direct runoff
hydrograph.
 The time base varies from storm to storm depending
on the flow at the point of rise.
 It is a computationally easy method.

Continued..
 Hydrograph Analysis
Hydrograph

6.0

5.0 Horozontal Line from the

point of rise in rising limb
Discharge, Q

4.0
of hydrograph
3.0

2.0

1.0 A B
0.0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Time, t

DRO Hydrograph

Fig. 3: Separation of Hydrograph Components Continued..

 Hydrograph Analysis
 Fixed Base Length Method
 Let us have the hydrograph shown in Figure 4. From point ‘A’ (existing
prior to the storm) extend the curve to point ‘B’ which is vertically below
the peak.
 Now draw a line from point ‘B’ to point ‘C’ on the hydrograph equal to a
distance on X-axis given by equation below:
N = Ad0.2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1
Where,
N = Length of time in days, and
Ad = Drainage area in square miles
 This line will meet the falling limb at, say point ‘C’. Join the point ‘B’ to
‘C’ by a line ‘BC’.
 Area below ‘ABC’ is the base flow and that above it is the direct runoff.

Continued..
 Hydrograph Analysis
Hydrograph
0.2
600 A

500
Extended
Discharge, Q

400 Recession
Curve
300

200
A B C
100

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Time, t

DRO Hydrograph

Figure 4: Separation of Base Flow by Fixed Base Length Method Continued..

 Hydrograph Analysis
 Variable Slope Method
 This method is based on the fact that if water rises in the
stream the water level in the stream becomes greater than the
adjoining ground water table level.
 As a result the flow occurs from the stream to the
groundwater and is stored there as bank storage.
 Refer to Figure 5, below. Take a point ‘A’ on the previous
recession curve, and the line ‘AE’ by extending the previous
recession curve. Point ‘E’ is under the peak.

Continued..
 Hydrograph Analysis
 Now take a point ‘B’ on the recession curve and
extend it backward. Take a point ‘C’ on recession
curve where the recession curve is changing slope.
 This point is called the point of inflexion. Draw a
vertical line from the point ‘C’.
 It cuts the line drawn backward from point ‘B’, at
point ‘D’. Join point ‘E’ and point ‘D’.
 The area under the line ‘AEDB’ shows the base flow
component

Continued..
 Hydrograph Analysis
Hydrograph

600

500
Extended
400 Recession
C
Curve Point of Inflexion
Discharge, Q

300

200
B
100 A E
D
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Time, t

DRO Hydrograph

Figure 5: Separation of Base Flow by Variable Slope Method Continued..

 Hydrograph Analysis
 This method is not a well defined one. It depends upon
experience, so it may vary from one expert to another.
 In general, Straight Line Method is the simplest and easiest
but also the least accurate.
 Fixed Base Method is widely used and gives practically good
results.
 Whereas Variable Slope Method is not commonly used and is
difficult but can give better results depending upon the
expertise of the person using it.

Continued..
 Hydrograph Analysis
 Recession Curve Equation
 The recession side of the hydrograph is formed of
the surface recession, interflow recession and base
flow recession.
 Although the interflow, because of similar
characteristics, is taken as part of the surface runoff
in the hydrograph analysis.
 There are means to separate the three components
on the basis of the exponential recession equation of
the form.

Continued..
 Hydrograph Analysis
 The equation is:
Q = Q0 e –δt - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2
Where,
Q0 = initial discharge
Q = discharge a time interval afterwards
δ = recession constant
 The equation can be written in a general form.
Q t+1 = Q t e -δt
 Taking log on both sides
log ( Qt+1) = log (Q t e -δt)
log Qt+1 = log Qt - δt log e - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3
 Graph of this equation for different recession constants ‘δ’ will
give the components of hydrograph.
Factors Affecting Hydrograph Shape
 Hydrograph shape depends on climatic and catchment
characteristics.
 Among the climatic characteristics the most important
are the rainfall intensity, duration and weather.
 Among the catchment characteristics the topography
and geological conditions are more important.
 These are discussed below:
 Storm Characteristics
 Catchment Characteristics
 Storm Characteristics
 Intensity of Rainfall
 The intensity of rainfall has a predominant effect on
the shape of the hydrograph.
 If other conditions remain the same, a higher
intensity storm will produce a rapid rise in the
hydrograph and a higher peak than that in case of a
low intensity rainfall.
 Such floods give little warning time and so are
dangerous.

Continued..
 Storm Characteristics
 Duration of Rainfall
 The duration of rainfall is important if it is greater
than the time of concentration (defined as the time
of travel from the farthest point in the catchment
area to the gauging station).
 In such a situation, if the rainfall of certain intensity
occurs uniformly, the whole of the catchment area is
contributing runoff at the gauging station and the
hydrograph attains its high peak.

Continued..
 Storm Characteristics
 The runoff will remain constant at the peak rate if
the rainfall occurs for duration longer than the time
of concentration.
 If rainfall of the same intensity occurs for duration
less than the time of concentration, the hydrograph
will rise to a smaller peak.

Continued..
 Storm Characteristics
 Weather
 The shape of the hydrograph greatly depends on the seasonal
distribution of rainfall. During summer losses due to
evaporation may produce a small peak hydrograph.
 On the other hand, in winter, losses are small with the result
that even a small intensity storm may produce a relatively
rapid rise and high peak of the hydrograph.
 Antecedent soil moisture conditions (generally being higher
in winter) are important as for high soil moisture; the storm
will produce more runoff.
 Catchment Characteristics
 Size of Catchment
 The catchment area affects the stream flow in a variety of ways. Even if
the intensity and depth of precipitation is assumed to be constant,
 The hydrograph of a smaller catchment rises to its peak and then recedes
more rapidly than that for a larger catchment, because for the latter, it
takes longer for the runoff to reach the gauging station.
 The hydrograph of a larger catchment area, therefore, has broader base
than that of a smaller one. Moreover, the larger the area, the greater will
be the heterogeneity in soil and vegetation cover, with a consequent effect
on the stream flow of each part of the catchment. The vegetation cover
increases the time of concentration.

Continued..
 Catchment Characteristics
 The hydrograph of a larger catchment area,
therefore, has broader base than that of a smaller
one.
 Moreover, the larger the area, the greater will be the
heterogeneity in soil and vegetation cover, with a
consequent effect on the stream flow of each part of
the catchment.
 The vegetation cover increases the time of
concentration.

Continued..
 Catchment Characteristics
 Shape of the Catchment Area
 The shape of the catchment area affects stream flow by
altering the time of concentration and the pattern of drainage
tributaries.
 If the length of the catchment along the main stream is less
than the width across the same stream, separate runoff peaks
generated by a heavy rainfall are likely to reach the gauging
station at the same time from the tributaries, with the result
that the flood peak in the main stream increases.
 Thus a hydrograph with a high peak and narrow base is
obtained.

Continued..
 Catchment Characteristics
 However, if the length of the catchment along the main
stream is larger than width, the tributaries will be of shorter
length and contribution from each tributary area is likely to
reach the gauging stations at intervals.
 After an intense storm over the whole of the catchment area
there will be some lag between the times at which the peak
from each tributary reaches the gauging station.
 The hydrograph will therefore, have a low peak and broader
base, because the remote tributaries will continue
contributing for some time even after the rain fall has
stopped.

Continued..
 Catchment Characteristics
 Elevation of the Catchment
 The elevation of the catchment also plays an
important role in some hydrologic characteristics of
hydrograph, particularly due to variation in
temperature and precipitation.
 The temperature reduces with the increase in
elevation with the result that above a certain
elevation, the temperature becomes so low that all
precipitation falls as snow.

Continued..
 Catchment Characteristics
 In the Indo-Pakistan Sub-continent, contribution
from areas, at altitude 15,000 ft. above the mean sea
level, is mainly due to snowmelt.
 The floods from snowmelt are of usually low peak
and broader base.

Continued..
 Catchment Characteristics
 Catchment Slope
 The slope of the catchment affects stream flow by
reducing the rate of infiltration due to increased
speed of water-movement towards drainage
channels.
 The steeper the slope the faster will be the flow and
rise in the hydrograph. The hydrograph in such a
situation will have higher peak and smaller base.
 Unit Hydrograph
 While designing hydraulic structures such as, we
are mostly interested in estimating maximum
probable rate of runoff.
 Various methods of estimating maximum
probable rate of runoff are as under:
 Frequency Analysis
 It may be used provided adequate stream flow
records are available.

Continued..
 Unit Hydrograph
 Empirical Formulae
 Involving various physical characteristics of the basin i. e.
Q = C I A (Rational Formula) - - - - - - - - - - - - 4
Where,
I = Intensity of rainfall,
C = Constant, and
A = Area of cross-section.
 Very detailed rainfall-runoff models have been developed
which estimate losses separately and hence calculate the direct
runoff

Continued..
 Unit Hydrograph
 Flood Routing
 Flood Routing will be discussed in detail later.
 Unit Hydrograph Method
 Of the four methods of estimating maximum
probable rate of runoff, the unit hydrograph method
is being discussed in detail in this discussion.

Continued..
 Unit Hydrograph
 The T-hour unit hydrograph may be defined as a
hydrograph of direct runoff resulting from unit rainfall
excess of a duration ‘T’ hours having occurred
uniformly all over the catchment and having a constant
rate of occurrences.
 The unit hydrograph theory is based upon principles of
linearity of runoff to rainfall excess and superposition.
This is a linear process applied to a non-linear situation.

Continued..
 Unit Hydrograph
 Physical characteristics of the basin remain
relatively constant. The variable characteristics
of the storm cause variation in the shape of
resulting hydrograph.
 The storm characteristics as discussed earlier are
the rainfall duration, time-intensity pattern, areal
distribution of rainfall and the amount of
rainfall.

Continued..
 Unit Hydrograph
 Rainfall Duration
 The volume under unit hydrograph is always the same for a
given catchment and is equal to one unit say one inch of
runoff (note that volume of one inch of runoff means that
one inch of rainfall excess over the whole catchment.
 The actual volume will be the catchment area multiplied by
one). Peak value for a lesser duration unit hydrograph is
higher and is sharp, but the peak value for a higher duration
unit hydrograph is lower with larger base length.

Continued..
 Unit Hydrograph
 Time Intensity Pattern
 An infinite number of hydrographs would be
required if an attempt is made to draw separate unit
hydrograph for each of the possible time-intensity
patterns.
 Practically the unit hydrograph may be based only on
an assumption of uniform intensity.
Higher-intensity storms will have higher peak with
low base, and vice versa.

Continued..
 Unit Hydrograph
 Areal Distribution of Rainfall
 The unit hydrograph is based upon uniformly
distributed rainfall over whole of the catchment.
 So the actual flood hydrograph has to be estimated
accordingly from the unit hydrograph taking into
account the effect of areal distribution of rainfall.
 Derivation of Unit Hydrograph
 The following steps are followed in deriving a unit
hydrograph:
 Select an isolated storm, for which reliable rainfall and runoff
data are available.
 Separate the base flow from the total runoff hydrograph and
calculate the volume of direct runoff.
 Divide the ordinates of direct runoff by the effective rainfall.
The resulting hydrograph is a unit hydrograph for the
catchment area for the given duration of excess rainfall.
Estimation of rainfall excess is illustrated in numerical
Example 1.

Continued..
 Derivation of Unit Hydrograph
 A unit hydrograph derived from a single storm may have some
error, and it is desirable to average the unit hydrograph from
several storms of the same duration.
 This should not be an arithmetic average of concurrent
coordinates; since, if peaks do not occur at the same time, the
average peak will be lower than many of the individual peaks.
 The proper procedure is to compute the average of the peak
flows and times to peak. The average unit hydrograph is then
sketched to conform to those of the other graphs, passing
through the computed average peak, and having a volume of
one-inch.

Continued..
 Derivation of Unit Hydrograph
 Example 1
 From the data given in Table 1 below, derive a 6-
hour unit hydrograph if this data is obtained from a
six-hours duration storm and the catchment area is
3,200 square kilometers.

Continued..
 Derivation of Unit Hydrograph
Date Time Discharge Base Flow
(day) (m³/s) (m³/s)
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Table 1: Data for Unit hydrograph

11-Jan 1st 21 21
12-Jan 2nd 21 21
13-Jan 3rd 21 21
14-Jan 4th 20 20
15-Jan 5th 20 20
16-Jan 6th 20 20
17-Jan 7th 20 20
18-Jan 8th 20 20
19-Jan 9th 521 11
20-Jan 10th 160 21
21-Jan 11th 82 29
22-Jan 12th 63 35
23-Jan 13th 59 47
24-Jan 14th 53 53
25-Jan 15th 47 47
26-Jan 16th 45 45
27-Jan 17th 38 38
 Derivation of Unit Hydrograph
 Solution
 The calculations are shown in Table 2.
 The Direct Runoff (DRO) is obtained by subtracting base flow
from discharge values.
 The DRO is then multiplied by time interval to get total
volume. This total volume is divided by catchment area to get
depth of effective rainfall in centimeters spread uniformly over
whole catchment.
 By definition of unit hydrograph, its ordinates are obtained by
dividing ordinates of DRO by effective rain.

Continued..
 Derivation of Unit Hydrograph
Date Time Discharge Base Flow DRO Volume Ordinates of Unit Hydrograph
(day) (m³/s) (m³/s) (m³/s) (x106 m³) (m³/s)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)=(3)-(4) (6) (7)=(5)/Eff. Rain
11-Jan 1st 21 21 0 0.00 0.00
12-Jan 2nd 21 21 0 0.00 0.00
Table 2: Data for Unit hydrograph

13-Jan 3rd 21 21 0 0.00 0.00

14-Jan 4th 20 20 0 0.00 0.00
15-Jan 5th 20 20 0 0.00 0.00
16-Jan 6th 20 20 0 0.00 0.00
17-Jan 7th 20 20 0 0.00 0.00
18-Jan 8th 20 20 0 0.00 0.00
19-Jan 9th 521 11 510 44.06 255.00
20-Jan 10th 160 21 139 12.01 69.50
21-Jan 11th 82 29 53 4.58 26.50
22-Jan 12th 63 35 28 2.42 14.00
23-Jan 13th 59 47 12 1.04 6.00
24-Jan 14th 53 53 0 0.00 0.00
25-Jan 15th 47 47 0 0.00 0.00
26-Jan 16th 45 45 0 0.00 0.00
27-Jan 17th 38 38 0 0.00 0.00
Total Volume 64.11 x106 m³
Area 3200 x106 m² Volume 32.05x106 m³
Effective Rain 2.00cm Effective Rain 1.00 cm
 Derivation of Unit Hydrograph
 The resulting unit hydrograph and DRO hydrograph are shown in Fig. 6
One-Day Unit Hydrograph
600
Discharge (m³/s)

500

400

300

200

100

0 5 10 15 20

Time (Day)

Total Hydrograph DRO Hydrograph One Day Unit Hydrograph

Fig 6 Developing a 6-hr unit hydrograph

 Derivation of Hydrograph from a
Unit Hydrograph
 Once the unit hydrograph of certain duration is
determined, it can be used to compute a
hydrograph of the same duration.
 In order to derive the hydrograph of same
duration as that of the unit hydrograph, we have
to proceed in reverse to the process used to
derive unit hydrograph

Continued..
 Derivation of Hydrograph from a
Unit Hydrograph
 The procedure will be as follows:
 The unit hydrograph of a certain duration is given.
 Derive the ordinates of direct runoff hydrograph by
multiplying the unit hydrograph ordinates by
effective rainfall.
 Add base flow to the ordinates of direct runoff
hydrograph to get total runoff hydrograph. The peak
of this hydrograph gives the maximum flow due to
the storm.

Continued..
 Derivation of Hydrograph from a
Unit Hydrograph
 Example 2
 Given the unit hydrograph of 4-hour duration (Table
3), calculate the ordinates of total runoff hydrograph
of same duration from an excess precipitation of 10
cm.
 Assume constant Base Flow of 14 m3/sec.

Continued..
 Derivation of Hydrograph from a
Unit Hydrograph
Date Time Ordinates of Unit Hydrograph

(Hours) (m³/s)

(1) (2) (3)

1-Jan 12 Noon 0.00

24 Midnight 3.00

2-Jan 12 Noon 17.00

24 Midnight 34.00

3-Jan 12 Noon 51.00

24 Midnight 17.00

4-Jan 12 Noon 6.00

24 Midnight 0.00

Table 3:Data for unit hydrograph and derivation of total runoff hydrograph.

Continued..
 Derivation of Hydrograph from a
Unit Hydrograph
 Solution
 The excess rainfall has been reported as 10cm. The
ordinates of unit hydrograph are simply multiplied
by excess rainfall to get ordinates of Direct Runoff
(DRO).
 Once the ordinates of DRO are obtained, base flow
is added to it to get Total flow ordinates. These
computations are given in Table 4.

Continued..
 Derivation of Hydrograph from a
Unit Hydrograph
Date Time Time Ordinates of DRO Base Total Flow
Unit Flow
Hydrograph
(Hours) (Hours) (m³/s) (m³/s) (m³/s) (m³/s)
(5)=(4) x Excess
(1) (2) (3) (4) (6) (7)=(5)+(6)
Rainfall Depth
1-Jan 12 Noon 0 0.00 0 14 14
24 Midnight 12 3.00 30 14 44
2-Jan 12 Noon 24 17.00 170 14 184
24 Midnight 48 34.00 340 14 354
3-Jan 12 Noon 60 51.00 510 14 524
24 Midnight 72 17.00 170 14 184
4-Jan 12 Noon 84 6.00 60 14 74
24 Midnight 96 0.00 0 14 14

Table 4: Derivation of total runoff hydrograph.

 Derivation of Hydrograph from a
Unit Hydrograph
•The unit hydrograph, DRO hydrograph and total hydrograph is shown in Fig. 7
Derivation of Total Runoff Hydrograph

600
Fig. 7: Total Runoff Hydrograph

550
500
450
400
Flow (m³/s)

350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Time (Hours)

12 Hour Unit Hydrograph DRO Hydrograph Total Runoff Hydrograph

 S Curve
 The S curve is hydrograph obtained by summation of infinite
number of unit hydrographs of given duration each lagged by
time interval equal to the duration of the given hydrograph.
 The S curve can be used to derive unit hydrograph of any desired
duration.
 The Derivation of the S curve is very simple.
 We keep on adding given unit hydrograph ordinates each lagged
by time equal to the duration of given hydrograph from the
previous one till we obtain a constant value after addition or it
starts fluctuating between some values.
 S Curve
 Example 3
 Given is a unit hydrograph of 2 hour duration (column 2 of
Table 5). Derive the 2 hours duration ‘S’ curve.
Time (Hours) Flow m³/s
0 0
2 95
4 164
6 121
8 91
10 54
12 18
14 0
Table 5: Ordinates of 2 -Hour Unit Hydrograph Continued..
 S Curve
 SOLUTION
 First, we derive ‘S’ curve: The calculations are shown
in Table 6. In this table ordinates of unit hydrograph
of 2-hour duration are given in column 2. Column 1
is time in hours. Other columns have ordinates in
m³/s. Columns 3 to 14 show lagged unit
hydrographs. Column 15 is the addition which is the
‘S’ curve.
 The ‘S’ curve is shown in Figure 8

Continued..
 S Curve
Table 6: Unit hydrograph data and derivation of S curve.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)
0 0 0
2 95 0 95
4 164 95 0 259
6 121 164 95 0 380
8 91 121 164 95 0 471
10 54 91 121 164 95 0 525
12 18 54 91 121 164 95 0 543
14 0 18 54 91 121 164 95 0 543
16 0 18 54 91 121 164 95 0 543
18 0 18 54 91 121 164 95 0 543
20 0 18 54 91 121 164 95 0 543
22 0 18 54 91 121 164 95 0 543
24 0 18 54 91 121 164 95 0 543
26 0 18 54 91 121 164 95 543
28 0 18 54 91 121 164
30 0 18 54 91 121
32 0 18 54 91
34 0 18 54
36 0 18
38 0
 S Curve
S Curve
600
500
Flow (m³/s)

400
300
200
100
0
0 10 20 30 40
Time (Hours)

Figure 8: ‘S’ Curve

 Derivation of Any Duration Unit
Hydrograph
 The procedure for derivation of any required duration
unit hydrograph from a given-duration unit hydrograph
is described below:
 Derive the S-Curve (as per procedure explained above).
 Offset the position of the S-curve for a period equal to the
desired duration of hydrograph to be derived. This is called
the lagged S-curve.
 Subtract the ordinates of lagged S-curve from the original S-
curve at the respective time intervals.
 The ordinates of unit hydrograph of required duration are
obtained by multiplying the difference obtained in Step 3
with the ratio given duration over required duration (i. e.
multiply by the ratio = given duration/desired duration)

Continued..
 Derivation of Any Duration Unit
Hydrograph
 Example 4
 Given is unit hydrograph of 2-hours duration
(Column (2), Table 5 of Example 3). Find 6-hours
unit hydrograph for the same catchment.
 Solution
 The derivation of S curve is given in Example 3.
Using that S curve the derivation of 6 hours unit
hydrograph is given below in Table 7.

Continued..
 Derivation of Any Duration Unit
Hydrograph
• The given 2 hr hydrograph and developed 6 hr hydrographs are shown in
Figure 9. It may be noted that increasing the duration of unit hydrograph
has decreased peak flow.
Time 2-hour Unit S-Curve Lagged S- Difference 6 Hour Unit
Hydrograph Curve Hydrograph Ordinates
Ordinates
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)=(3)-(4) = (5) x 2 / 6
0 0 0 0 0
2 95 95 95 32
4 164 259 259 86
6 121 380 0 380 127
8 91 471 95 376 125
10 54 525 259 266 89
12 18 543 380 163 54
14 0 543 471 72 24
16 543 525 18 6
18 543 543 0 0

Table 7: Derivation of 6 hours unit hydrograph from 2 hours unit hydrograph.

 6 Hour UH from 2 Hour UH

180
160
140
Flow (m³/s)

120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Time (Hours)

2 Hour Unit Hydrograph 6 Hour Unit Hydrograph

Figure 9: Two Hour and Six Hour Unit Hydrograph

 Composite Hydrograph
 The stream flow hydrograph may be due to
more than one storm. In that case we have to
separate the effect of each storm. This is
composite hydrograph separation.
 Here the analogy is used that ordinates of
composite hydrograph are proportional to
intensity of rainfall.

Continued..
 Example 5
 Given is hydrograph resulting from two storms each
of 6 hours duration (Table 8). The rainfall intensity
of first storm is 0.8 cm and that of second storm is
0.6 cm each of 6 hr duration. Separate the
hydrograph of both storms and find 6 hr unit
hydrograph for each storm.

Continued..
 Solution
 Refer to Table 9. The following steps illustrate the
procedure
 Total rainfall is 0.8 + 0.6 = 1.4 cm. The contribution of
second storm relative to the first storm is 0.6 / 0.8 = 0.75.
The ordinates of first hydrograph are, therefore obtained
by subtracting effect of second hydrograph from
composite hydrograph. Since second storm occurs 6 hours
later than the first one, the first ordinate of composite
hydrograph is due to contribution of first storm. Therefore
first ordinate of first hydrograph is 750 - 0 = 750.

Continued..
 The second ordinate is obtained by subtracting
(0.6 / 0.8) x 750 = 562.50 from second ordinate of
composite hydrograph i.e. 1400 - 562.50 = 837.50.
The third ordinate of first storm hydrograph is
obtained by subtracting 0.75 x 837.50 = 628.12
from third ordinate of composite hydrograph i.e.
1671.88 and so on. The calculations are shown in
table 5.2

Continued..
 The ordinates of second hydrograph are obtained
simply by subtracting ordinates of first hydrograph
from composite hydrograph.
 For unit hydrograph ordinates of each hydrograph
are divided by their respective rainfall intensities

Continued..
 Date Time Composite Date Time Composite Date Time Composite
(Hours) Hydrograph (Hours) Hydrograph (Hours) Hydrograph
(cumecs) (cumecs) (cumecs)
22-04-65 0 - 25-04-65 60 19,100.00 27-04-65 120 3,300.00
6 750.00 66 15,000.00 126 2,900.00
12 1,400.00 72 11,400.00 132 2,600.00
18 2,300.00 78 9,300.00 138 2,100.00
23-04-65 24 3,000.00 84 7,800.00 28-04-65 144 1,700.00
30 7,000.00 90 6,300.00 150 1,300.00
36 13,000.00 26-04-65 96 5,700.00 156 900.00
42 23,000.00 102 4,800.00 162 600.00
24-04-65 48 29,700.00 108 4,000.00 29-04-65 168 -
54 25,000.00 114 3,700.00

Table 8. Data of Composite Hydrograph

Continued..
 Table 9: Separation of Component Hydrographs
Date Time Composite First 6 Hour Second 6 Hour 6 Hour Unit 6 Hour Unit
Hydrograph Hydrograph Hydrograph Hydrograph (First Hydrograph
Storm) (Second Storm)
(Hours) (cumecs) (0.8 cm) (0.6 cm)
22-04-65 0 - - - -
6 750.00 750.00 - 937.50 -
12 1,400.00 837.50 562.50 1,046.88 937.50
18 2,300.00 1,671.88 628.13 2,089.84 1,046.88
23-04-65 24 3,000.00 1,746.09 1,253.91 2,182.62 2,089.84
30 7,000.00 5,690.43 1,309.57 7,113.04 2,182.62
36 13,000.00 8,732.18 4,267.82 10,915.22 7,113.04
42 23,000.00 16,450.87 6,549.13 20,563.58 10,915.22
24-04-65 48 29,700.00 17,361.85 12,338.15 21,702.31 20,563.58
54 25,000.00 11,978.61 13,021.39 14,973.27 21,702.31
60 19,100.00 10,116.04 8,983.96 12,645.05 14,973.27
66 15,000.00 7,412.97 7,587.03 9,266.21 12,645.05

Continued..
Date Time Composite First 6 Hour Second 6 Hour 6 Hour Unit 6 Hour Unit
Hydrograph Hydrograph Hydrograph Hydrograph (First Hydrograph
Storm) (Second Storm)
(Hours) (cumecs) (0.8 cm) (0.6 cm)
25-04-65 72 11,400.00 5,840.27 5,559.73 7,300.34 9,266.21
78 9,300.00 4,919.80 4,380.20 6,149.74 7,300.34
84 7,800.00 4,110.15 3,689.85 5,137.69 6,149.74
90 6,300.00 3,217.38 3,082.62 4,021.73 5,137.69
26-04-65 96 5,700.00 3,286.96 2,413.04 4,108.70 4,021.73
102 4,800.00 2,334.78 2,465.22 2,918.47 4,108.70
108 4,000.00 2,248.92 1,751.08 2,811.14 2,918.47
114 3,700.00 2,013.31 1,686.69 2,516.64 2,811.14
27-04-65 120 3,300.00 1,790.02 1,509.98 2,237.52 2,516.64
126 2,900.00 1,557.49 1,342.51 1,946.86 2,237.52
132 2,600.00 1,431.88 1,168.12 1,789.85 1,946.86
138 2,100.00 1,026.09 1,073.91 1,282.61 1,789.85

Continued..
 Date Time Composite First 6 Hour Second 6 Hour 6 Hour Unit 6 Hour Unit
Hydrograph Hydrograph Hydrograph Hydrograph (First Hydrograph
Storm) (Second Storm)
(Hours) (cumecs) (0.8 cm) (0.6 cm)
28-04-65 144 1,700.00 930.43 769.57 1,163.04 1,282.61
150 1,300.00 602.17 697.83 752.72 1,163.04
156 900.00 448.37 451.63 560.46 752.72
162 600.00 263.72 336.28 329.65 560.46
29-04-65 168 - - - - -

Composite hydrograph along with component hydrograph is shown in Figure 10.

Continued..
 SEPARATION OF COMPOSITE HYDROGRAPH
35,000

30,000
Discharge (cumec)

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

-
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Time (Hours)

Composite Hydrograph First 6 hr Hydrograph Second 6 hr Hydrograph

Fig 10: Separation of Component Hydrographs from Composite Hydrograph

 Example 6
 Develop a complex hydrograph for the following data given
in Table 10, Take R1 / R2 = 1.2

Time 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

q1 0 200 400 1000 2800 1400 900 700 480 200 0

Table 10

Continued..
 Solution
 Table 11 below gives calculations for determination of q2 & Q, in which
ordinates of q2 have been calculated by using a modified but simple
formula given in the table.
n TIME q1 Ordinates of Discharge Q of complex
q2=(R1/R2)xq1(n-1). hydrograph
0 1 0 0
1 2 200 0 200
2 3 400 240 640
3 4 1000 480 1480
Table 11

4 5 2800 1200 4000

5 6 1400 3360 4760
6 7 900 1680 2580
7 8 700 1080 1780
8 9 480 840 1320
9 10 200 576 776
10 11 0 240 240
11 12 0 0
Continued..
 Composite hydrograph along with component
hydrograph is shown in Figure 11.
COMPLEX HYDROGRAPH

6000

5000

4000
DISCHARGE

3000

2000

1000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

TIME

Figure 6.11
Continued..
 Example 7
 Repeat example 6 for the case when ordinates of
Q are given (as shown in Table 12 below) for its
separation into its components q1 & q2 with
R1/R2 =1.2

Continued..
Solution:
Table 12: Calculations for Separation of Complex hydrograph
n TIME Discharge Q of Ordinates of q1 = Qn - Ordinates of
complex (R1/R2) x q1(n-1). q2 = (R1/R2)xq1(n-1).
hydrograph
0 1 0 0
1 2 200 200 0
2 3 640 400 240
3 4 1480 1000 480
4 5 4000 2800 1200
5 6 4760 1400 3360
6 7 2580 900 1680
7 8 1780 700 1080
8 9 1320 480 840
9 10 776 200 576
10 11 240 0 240
11 12 0 0
Continued..
 COMPONENTS OF A COMPLEX HYDROGRAPH

6000
5000
DISCHARGE

4000
3000
2000
1000
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
TIME

Figure 12: (With Example 7)

 Example 8
 Develop a complex hydrograph for the following data given
in Table 13, Take
R1 / R2 = 1.2 and R1 / R3 = 1.5

Time 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

q1 0 200 400 1000 2800 1400 900 700 480 200 0

Table 13
 Solution
 Table 14 below gives calculations for determination
of q2, q3 and Q, in which ordinates of q2 and q3
have been calculated by using modified but simple
formulae given in the table.
n TIME q1 Ordinates of Ordinates of Discharge Q of
q2=(R1/R2)xq1(n-1). q3=(R1/R3)xq1(n-2). complex hydrograph
(1) (2) (3) (1) + (2) + (3)
0 1 0 0
1 2 200 0 200
2 3 400 240 0 640
3 4 1000 480 300 1780
4 5 2800 1200 600 4600
5 6 1400 3360 1500 6260
6 7 900 1680 4200 6780
7 8 700 1080 2100 3880
8 9 480 840 1350 2670
9 10 200 576 1050 1826
10 11 0 240 720 960
11 12 0 300 300
12 13 0 0

Table 14
 COMPLEX HYDROGRAPH

8000
7000
6000
DISCHARGE

5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
TIME

Figure 13 shows complex hydrograph.

 Example 9
 Repeat example 8 for the case when ordinates of
Q are given (as shown in Table 15 below) for its
separation into its components q1, q2 & q3 with
R1/R2 =1.2 & R1/R3 =1.5.
N Time Discharge Q Ordinates of Ordinates of Ordinates of
of complex q1 = Qn - (R1/R2)xq1(n-1) - q2 = (R1/R2)x q1(n-1). q3=(R1/R3)x q1(n-2).
hydrograph (R1/R3)xq1(n-2).
0 1 0 0
1 2 200 200 0
2 3 640 400 240 0
3 4 1780 1000 480 300
4 5 4600 2800 1200 600
5 6 6260 1400 3360 1500
6 7 6780 900 1680 4200
7 8 3880 700 1080 2100
8 9 2670 480 840 1350
9 10 1826 200 576 1050
10 11 960 0 240 720
11 12 300 0 300
12 13 0 0

Table 15: Calculations for Separation of Complex hydrograph (see Fig. 14)
 COMPONENTS OF A COMPLEX
HYDROGRAPH

8000
DISCHARGE

6000
4000
2000
0
0 5 10 15
TIME

Figure 14
 Synthetic Hydrograph
 For un-gauged catchments, unit hydrograph developed
from characteristics of similar catchments is called
Synthetic hydrograph.
 Synthetic hydrograph is obtained by mathematically
correlating catchment characteristics.
 Different approaches are available for developing a
synthetic hydrograph, some of which are:
 Bernard’s method
 McCarthy’s Method
 Snyder’s Method
 Taylor and Schartz Method

Continued..
 Of these, Snyder’s Method is the most
commonly used method, which is briefly
described here.
 Snyder’s method
 Following are the steps involved in unit hydrograph
construction according to Snyder’s method.

Continued..
 Step (i)
To find ‘Time to Peak’, Snyder proposed,
tp = C1 Ct (L Lc)0.3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -(5)
Where,
tp = Basin Lag in Hours. Basin Lag is the time between centre of mass
of unit rain and peak flow (See Figure 15).
L = Distance from gauging station to catchment boundary.
Lc = Distance in kilometers between gauging station and
centroid of catchment. It is measured from gauging station along
the main stream to the point nearest to centroid of catchment.
Ct = A coefficient determined from the gauged catchment in same
or similar region. Its value ranges from 1.35 to 1.65.
C1 is a constant whose value in MKS system of units is 0.75.

Continued..
 Snyder's Standard Unit Hydrograph
tr
45

40 tp

35

30
Discharge, Q

25

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Tim e, t

Figure 15: Definition of tr and tp in Snyder’s Method

Continued..
 Step (ii)
The peak discharge is given by:
qp = C2 Cp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (6)
tp
Where,
C2 is a constant having value of 2.75
Cp = A coefficient determined from the gauged
catchment in same or similar region. Its value
ranges from 0.56 to 0.69. (See Figure 16)

Continued..
 Synthetic Unit Hydrograph by Snyder's Method

45

40

35 W75
30
Discharge, Q

25 W50
20
qp
15 0.75qp

10 0.5qp
5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Tim e, t

Figure 16: Definition of qp, W50 and W75

Continued..
 The coefficients ‘Ct’ and ‘Cp’ are determined as
explained below:
 Determination of ‘Ct’ and ‘Cp’
L is measured from map
Lc is measured from map
tR - Effective duration measured from unit
hydrograph derived for similar catchment.
tPR - Basin lag measured from unit hydrograph
derived for similar catchment.
qPR - Peak Discharge from unit hydrograph
derived for similar catchment.

Continued..
 If,
tPR = 5 tR then tR = tr
 Else,
tPR = tp and qPR = qP
 By back substitution, ‘Ct’ and ‘Cp’ can be determined from Equations (5) and
(6).
 If,
tPR ≠ 5.5 tR , then the standard basin lag is
tP = tPR + tr-tR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (7)
4
Also, tp = 5.5 tr - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (8)

 Equations (7) and (8) are solved simultaneously for ‘tr’ and ‘tP’. ‘Ct’ and ‘Cp’
are then found from Equations (5) and (6) with conditions qPR = qP and tPR
= tp. (Figure 17)

Continued..
 Required Synthetic Unit Hydrograph
tR
45
40 tPR
Discharge per unit area

35
30
qPR
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Tim e, t

tb

Figure 17: Definition of tR, tPR and tb

Continued..
 Step (iii)
 The Peak Discharge of required hydrograph is found using
equation 9.
qPR = qP tp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (9)
tPR
 Step (iv)
 The base time of required hydrograph is determined by
equation 10.
 Base Time tb = C3 - - - - - - - - - - - - (10)
qPR
 Where ‘C3’ is a constant having value of 5.56.

Continued..
 Step (v)
 Width of Hydrograph ‘W’ is given by equation 11. The
coefficient ‘Cw’ defines value of peak discharge where
width of hydrograph is required.
 For example, width at discharge which is 75% and
50% of Peak discharge is to be calculated:
W = Cw qPR-1.08 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (11)
For qPR = 75%, Cw = 1.22
For qPR = 50%, Cw = 2.14

Continued..
 Example 10
 Develop 3-hour and 6-hour unit hydrographs for a
catchment area measuring
135.8 Sq. miles with following data:
Ct = 1.50, Cp = 0.60L = 29.5 miles Lc = 15 miles

 Also calculate total run-off in inches for the catchment

in each case.

Continued..
 Solution
 Step-1
 Basin Lag, tp = C1 x Ct x (L x Lc)0.30
= 1 x 1.50 x (29.5 x 15)0.30
= 9.33 hours
 Standard duration of rainfall,
tr = tp /5.50
= 9.33/5.50
= 1.70 hours

Continued..
 Step-2 3-hour duration unit hydrograph
 tR = 3 hours > tr
 Basin Lag, tPR = tP + [tR – tr]/4
= 9.33 + [3-1.70]/4
= 9.66 hours
 Peak discharge, qPR= 640 x Cp x A /tPR
= 640 x 0.60 x 135.8/9.66
= 5398.36 cfs

Continued..
 Time base, TR = 3 x (1 + tPR /24)
= 3 x (1 + 9.66/24)
= 4.21 days
= 101 hours

 50% of qPR = 2694.5 cusecs

W50 = 770 / [qPR / A ]1.08 = 770 / [5398.36 / 135.8 ]1.08
= 14.40 hours

 75% of qPR = 4048.70 cusecs

W75 = 440 / [qPR / A ]1.08 = 440 / [5398.36 / 135.8 ]1.08
= 8.24 hours

Continued..
 Plot unit hydrograph using above calculated
values. The graph is shown in Fig 18 below. It
has been plotted using definitions given in Figs.
16 and 17 above.
 From Fig. 18, tabulate the values of discharge
against equal time interval of any length say at 6
hours interval (17*6 = 102 close to 101). These
values have been shown in Table 16

Continued..
 SYNTHETIC 3-HOUR UNIT HYDROGRAPH BY SNYDER'S METHOD
(EXAMPLE 6.10)

6000
DISCHARGE (cfs)

5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
TIME (HOURS)

Figure 18
Continued..
 Time (Hours) Q (cfs)
0 0
6 2550.00
12 5200.00
Table 16 18 3100.00
24 1300.00
30 950.00
36 530.00
42 300.00
48 200.00
54 150.00
60 110.00
66 100.00
72 80.00
78 60.00
84 30.00
90 20.00
96 10.00
101 (say 102) 0
Total 14690
 Total run-off = [14690 x 6 x 60 x 60]
[24 x 60 x 60]
= 3672.50 sfd
= 3672.50 / 26.90
= 136.52 inches-mile
 Run-off = 136.52 / 135.8
= 1.00 inch

Continued..
 Step 3: 6-hour duration unit hydrograph
 tR= 6 hours > tr
 Basin Lag, tPR = tP + [tR – tr]/4

= 9.33 + [6-1.70]/4
= 10.41 hours
 Peak discharge, qPR = 640 x Cp x A /tPR

= 640 x 0.60 x 135.8/10.41

= 5009.34 cfs

Continued..
 Time base, TR = 3 x (1 + tPR /24)
= 3 x (1 + 10.41/24)
= 4.30 days
= 103 hours
 50% of qPR = 2504.67 cusecs
W50 = 770 / [qPR / A ]1.08
= 770 / [5009.34 / 135.8 ]1.08
= 15.64 hours
 75% of qPR = 3757.00 cusecs
W75 = 440 / [qPR / A ]1.08
= 440 / [5009.34 / 135.8 ]1.08
= 8.94 hours

Continued..
 Plot unit hydrograph using above calculated
values. The graph is shown in Fig 19 below. It
has been plotted using definitions given in Figs.
16 and 17 above.
 From Fig. 19, tabulate the values of discharge
against equal time interval of any length say at 6
hours interval (17*6 = 102 close to 101). These
values have been shown in Table 17

Continued..
 SYNTHETIC 6-HOUR UNIT HYDROGRAPH BY SNYDER'S METHOD
(EXAMPLE 6.1)

6000
DISCHARGE (cfs)

5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
TIME (HOURS)

Figure: 19
Continued..
Time (Hours) Q (cfs) Time (Hours) Q (cfs)

0 0 60 150.00

6 1880.00 66 110.00

12 4450.00 72 90.00

18 3800.00 78 80.00

24 1500.00 84 50.00

30 1050.00 90 30.00

36 600.00 96 20.00

42 350.00 101 (say 102) 0

48 250.00
Total 14610
54 200.00

Table 17
Continued..
 Total run-off = [14610 x 6 x 60 x 60]
[24 x 60 x 60]
= 3652.50 sfd
= 3652.50 / 26.90
= 135.78 inches-mile
 Run-off = 135.78 / 135.8
= 1.00 inch

Continued..
 Questions
 Define Hydrograph and explain its significance in
Hydrology.
 Discuss shape of hydrograph with respect to
catchment characteristics.
 Explain various methods for separating base flow
from direct runoff in hydrograph. Can a unit
hydrograph used directly to forecast DRO and peak
of a flood, if the intensity of rainfall is not constant?
 Define Unit Hydrograph and compare it with DRO
Hydrograph. Criticize the assumptions involved in
unit hydrograph theory.

Continued..
 What is the practical significance of a unit hydrograph? What
are the three propositions of the unit hydrograph theory?
 Explain the step by step procedure for deriving unit
hydrograph from DRO hydrograph and vice versa?
 What is S Curve? Explain its utility in hydrology.
 How ordinates of unit hydrograph are related to rainfall
intensity?
 Why we need separation of composite hydrographs?
 What is synthetic hydrograph? Explain the method employed
for deriving synthetic hydrograph. Comment on the merits
and demerits of these methods.
 Exercise
 Problem 1
 Table P1 shows the ordinates at 24 hour intervals for a
hydrograph. Separate the base flow from the direct runoff.
Compute the volume of DRO.
Time (days) Flow (m³/s) Time (days) Flow (m³/s)
1 2 8 3
2 28 9 2
3 20 10 2
4 11 11 2
Table P1
Hydrograph Data 5 7 12 1
6 5 13 1
7 3 14 1
 Exercise
 Problem 2
 The hydrograph tabulated below in Table P2 resulted from a
6-hour period of rainfall. Considering the base flow as 11
m³/s, find the 6-hour unit hydrograph for the basin having
148 sq. km drainage area.
Time Flow Time Flow (m³/s)
(hours) (m³/s) (hours)
0 11 21 100
3 33 24 67
6 91 27 38
9 103 30 20
12 125 33 14
Table P2:
15 135 36 11
Unit Hydrograph Data
18 120
 Exercise
 Problem 3
 Given below in Table P3 is the data for the unit hydrograph
resulting from a 4-hours duration rainfall, for a certain basin.
Derive the S-curve ordinates. Hence derive the ordinates for
unit hydrographs of 2-hours and 6-hours durations

Time Flow Time Flow (m³/s)

(hours) (m³/s) (hours)
0 0 8 109
Table P3: 2 117 10 64
Unit Hydrograph Data
4 197 12 21
6 145 14 0

Continued..
 Exercise
 Problem 4
 Table P4 shows the data for the hydrograph resulting from a 3-hours
duration rainfall for a catchment having area of 3,200 km². Derive the
unit hydrograph.
Time Day 1 Flow (m³/s) Day 2 Flow (m³/s)

3 AM 17 130

9 AM 170 99

12 Noon 269 88
Table P4:
6 PM 198 68
Hydrograph Data
9 PM 173 59

12 PM 150 54
 Exercise
 Problem 5
 Three consecutive storms of 5 cm 7.5 cm and 4 cm of 6 hours
durations each on a basin produced the stream flows as given
in Table P5. The basin area is 54 square kilometers. Assuming
a constant base flow of 7 m³/s and average storm loss of 0.4
cm/hour, derive a 6 hour unit hydrograph.

Time Flow (m³/s) Time Flow (m³/s)

0 8 21 42
3 12 24 30
Table P5:
6 15 27 21
Discharge Data
12 39 30 14
15 46 36 9
18 49 39 8
 Exercise
 Problem 6
 The hydrograph of Table P6 resulted from three successive 6-hour
period rainfall, having runoff estimated as 1.5, 3.0 and 2.3 cm,
respectively. The area of the basin is 148.5 km². Assuming a
constant base flow of 10 m³/s, derive the ordinates of a 6-hour unit
hydrograph for the basin.
Time (Hours) Flow (m³/s) Time (Hours) Flow (m³/s)
0 10 21 99
3 31 24 65
6 89 27 36
Table P6:
9 90 30 19
Discharge Data
12 198 33 13
15 132 36 10
18 193
 Exercise
 Problem 7
 The stream flows due to three successive storms of 3.7, 6 and 2.7 cm of 6-
hours duration each on a basin are given in Table P7. The area of the basin
is 51 km². Assuming a constant base flow of 8.5 m³/s and F index of 0.25
cm/hour, derive a 6 hour unit hydrograph.

Time (Hours) Stream Flow (m³/s) Time (Hours) Stream Flow (m³/s)

0 8 21 42
3 12 24 31

Table P7: 6 15 27 21
Discharge Data 9 27 30 14
12 39 33 10
15 46 36 9
18 49 39 8
 Exercise
 Problem 8
 Two catchments A and B are considered meteorology similar.
Their catchment characteristics are given below in Table P8.
 For catchment A, a 2-h unit hydrograph was developed and was
found to have a peak discharge of 50 m³/s. The time to peak from
the beginning of the rainfall excess in this unit hydrograph was 9.0
h. Using Snyder’s method, develop a unit hydrograph for
catchment B.

Catchment A Catchment B
L = 39 km L = 45 km
Lca = 15 km Lca = 25 km
A = 250 km² A = 400 km²
Table P8: Catchment Characteristics of Catchments A and B
 Exercise
 Problem 9
 A basin has 400 sq. km. of area, L=35 km and Lca =
10 km. Assuming Ct = 1.5 and
Cp = 0.70, develop a 3-hour synthetic unit
hydrograph for this basin using Snyder’s method.
 Exercise
 Problem 10
 Table P10 shows the ordinates of the 9-hour unit hydrograph
for the entire catchment of a river up to a dam site

Time (Hours) Discharge (m³/s) Time (Hours) Discharge (m³/s)

0 0 36 118
9 69 45 74
18 1000 54 46
27 210

Table P10: Discharge Data

 Exercise
 The catchment characteristics are:
A = 4480 km², L = 318 km, Lca = 198 km
 Derive a 3 hour unit hydrograph of another catchment which is
meteorologically and hydrologically similar and has the
following characteristics.
A = 3780 km², L = 284 km,Lca=198 km
 Use Snyder’s approach with necessary modifications for the
shape of the hydrograph
 Exercise
 Problem 11
 Using Snyder’s method, derive the 6-hour unit
hydrograph by using the following data.
Ct = 2.65, Cp = 0.56, A = 3500 km²
L = 150 km, Lca = 75 km