Anomalous Behavior of the Curve-Number Infiltration Model
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 145, Issue 4
Abstract
The curve-number (CN) infiltration model is widely used in translating rainfall hyetographs into runoff hydrographs. The model is anomalous in that it does not place any limit on the infiltration rate within a catchment, and therefore can be inconsistent with the infiltration characteristics of real soils. An alternative methodology is proposed that generates infiltration rates that are more consistent with conventional soil infiltration-capacity characteristics. It is shown that significant underprediction of peak runoff rates can occur as a result of using the anomalous CN infiltration model.
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Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 145 • Issue 4 • April 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 15, 2018
Accepted: Oct 24, 2018
Published online: Jan 29, 2019
Published in print: Apr 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Jun 29, 2019
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