Integrating the NRCS Runoff Curve Number in Delineation of Hydrologic Homogeneous Regions
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 14, Issue 10
Abstract
Cluster analysis, the generally used technique in delineation of hydrologic homogeneous regions for regional flood frequency analysis, requires standardization of flood governing attributes, and hence makes use of large subjective consideration. A new technique is developed for the delineation with no need of standardizing the attributes. The technique uses Natural Resources Conservation Services runoff curve number as a starting point in proposing the hydrologic regions. Five numbers of hydrologic regions were proposed inside the Nepalese territory by superimposing monsoon rainfall map over the runoff curve number map. The -moment based regional hydrologic homogeneity test led finalization of hydrologic regions with minor adjustments. Heterogeneity measure value, which is a regional homogeneity test parameter representing dispersion in sample moment coefficients among the basins, was found within or near acceptable limit in each of the region. The use of the regionalization for estimating extreme flood of different return periods is demonstrated for six example sites.
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Acknowledgments
The writers thank the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan for providing financial support in carrying out this research work. The writers also thank all the members of Innovative Disaster Prevention Technology and Policy Research Lab, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan for their comments/help at various instances.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 14 • Issue 10 • October 2009
Pages: 1091 - 1097
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 6, 2008
Accepted: Feb 11, 2009
Published online: Feb 14, 2009
Published in print: Oct 2009
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