Runoff Curve Numbers for 10 Small Forested Watersheds in the Mountains of the Eastern United States
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 17, Issue 11
Abstract
Engineers and hydrologists use the curve number method to estimate runoff from rainfall for different land use and soil conditions; however, large uncertainties occur for estimates from forested watersheds. This investigation evaluates the accuracy and consistency of the method using rainfall-runoff series from 10 small forested-mountainous watersheds in the eastern United States, eight annual maximum series from New Hampshire, West Virginia, and North Carolina, and two partial duration series from Georgia. These series are the basis to compare tabulated curve numbers with values estimated using five methods. For nine of 10 watersheds, tabulated curve numbers do not accurately estimate runoff. One source of the large uncertainty is a consistent decrease in storm-event curve numbers with increasing rainfall. A calibrated constant curve number is suitable for only two of 10 watersheds; the others require a variable watershed curve number associated with different magnitude rainfalls or probabilities of occurrence. Paired watersheds provide consistent curve numbers, indicating that regional values for forested-mountainous watersheds (locally calibrated and adjusted for storm frequency) may be feasible.
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Acknowledgments
Financial assistance provided by the West Virginia Division of Forestry, the U.S. Geological Survey through the Georgia Water Resources Institute, and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The following individuals assisted with obtaining watershed characteristics and event rainfall and runoff used in this study: Stephanie Laseter (USDA Forest Service Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory); Frederica Wood (USDA Forest Service Fernow Experimental Forest and Timber and Watershed Laboratory); Amey Bailey (USDA Forest Service Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest); and Josh Romeis (deceased, University of Georgia Etowah Research Project). The authors appreciated the review of this manuscript by Heather Golden (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and the anonymous reviewers and editors of this journal. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development collaborated in the research described in this paper. The Agency reviewed and approved this paper for publication.
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Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 17 • Issue 11 • November 2012
Pages: 1188 - 1198
Copyright
© 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 17, 2010
Accepted: May 19, 2011
Published online: May 21, 2011
Published in print: Nov 1, 2012
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