Extreme Rainfall for Africa and Other Developing Areas
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 114, Issue 2
Abstract
Adequate and reliable records of rainfall depth‐duration‐frequency amounts are often not available. Use of estimates of probabilities from limited data can reduce errors due to either underdesign or overdesign of structures and can reduce damage to irrigation facilities and hydraulic structures from floods and excessive runoff. Estimates of extreme rainfall events may also make possible an increased utilization of rain at the locations where it falls. Methods are presented for estimating rainfall intensities with a minimum of data. Equations are given for use with 20‐yr return period monthly rainfall amounts and with daily rainfall extremes. Depth‐duration and depth‐frequency ratios of extreme rainfall amounts have been found to be remarkably uniform within large and diverse geographical areas. This appears to be true for all of Africa. Large expenditures are being made to improve the collection of hydrologic and meteorologic data in the Sahel of Africa. Known ratios and relationships presented herein can improve the use of the existing long records and of data currently being collected. Greater emphasis on training in the use of the climatic data base is now available, and the need to be improved is recommended.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Adamson, P. T. (1981). “Southern African storm rainfall.” TR 102, Dept. of Environmental Affairs, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
2.
Bell, F. C. (1969). “Generalized rainfall‐duration‐frequency relationships.” J. Hydr. Div., ASCE, 95 (HY1), 311–327.
3.
Bernard, M. M. (1932). “Formulas for rainfall intensities of long duration.” Trans., ASCE, 96, 562–606.
4.
Hargreaves, G. H. (1981). “Simplified method for rainfall intensities.” J. Irrig. Drain. Div., ASCE, 107 (1R3), 281–288.
5.
Hargreaves, G. H., and Samani, Z. A. (1986). World water for agricultureprecipitation management. International Irrigation Center, Dept. of Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.
6.
Hargreaves, G. H., and Vogler, K. J. (1984). “Simple hydrologic modeling.” Proc. Conference Water Resources Development, ASCE, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, 478–182.
7.
Hershfield, D. M. (1961). “Rainfall frequency atlas of the United States for durations from 30 minutes to 24 hours and return periods of from 1 to 100 years.” Technical Paper No. 40, U.S. Weather Bureau, Dept. of Commerce, Washington, D.C.
8.
McIllwaith, J. F. (1953). “Rainfall intensity‐frequency data for New South Wales.” J. Instn. Engrg., Australia, 25 (7–8).
9.
Narayana, V. V. D. (1979). “Rainwater management for lowland rice cultivation in India.” J. Irrig. Drain. Div., ASCE, 105 (IR1), 87–98.
10.
Powell, R. W. (1932). Discussion of “Formulas for rainfall intensities of long duration” by M. M. Bernard, Trans., ASCE, 96, 609–611.
11.
Reich, B. M. (1963). “Short duration rainfall estimates and other design aids for regions of sparse data.” J. Hydrology, 2, North‐Holland Publishing Co., Amsterdam, 3–28.
12.
Tables of temperature, relative humidity, precipitation and sunshine for the world. Part 4—Africa. (1983). Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, U.K.
13.
Vogler, K. J. (1981). “An analysis of rainfall frequency formula as applied to Honduras,” thesis presented to the University of Arizona, at Tucson, Ariz., in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1988 ASCE.
History
Published online: May 1, 1988
Published in print: May 1988
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.