TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jan 1, 1987

Synthetic Unit Hydrograph

Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 113, Issue 1

Abstract

Equations are developed for computing the unit hydrograph for ungaged watersheds. The two‐parameter gamma function unit hydrograph from the HYMO hydrologic model is used in the study and equations for estimating the time to peak and the recession constant are developed. The equations use physical characteristics of the drainage basin to predict the parameters for the unit hydrograph. Stepwise regression analysis is used to reduce the number of physical and hydrological variables to four, which are the basin area, height, length, and watershed slope. Records of 283 storm events from 85 watersheds in 13 states were studied to develop and verify the equations. Results of the study indicate that these equations can be used to more accurately estimate the runoff hydrograph than the SCS (Soil Conservation Service) dimensionless unit hydrograph procedure for mild and steep watershed slopes.

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References

1.
Davidon, W. C. (1959). “Variable metric method for minimization.” ANL‐5990 (revised). Argonne Natl. Lab., Lemont, Ill.
2.
Sherman, L. K. (1932). “Streamflow from rainfall by the unit hydrograph method.” Engrg. News‐Record. 108, Apr. 7, 501–505.
3.
Snyder, F. F. (1938). “Synthetic unit hydrographs.” American Geophys. Union Trans. 1, 447–454.
4.
Soil Conservation Service. (1957). Engineering handbook, hydrology, supplement A, section 4. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 3.16‐1–3.16–5.
5.
Viessman, W., Jr., et al. (1977). Introduction to hydrology. Harper & Row, New York, N.Y., 462–468.
6.
Williams, J. R., and Hann, R. W., Jr. (1973). “HYMO: Problem oriented computer language for building hydrologic models.” Water Resources Res. 8(1), 79–86.

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Go to Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 113Issue 1January 1987
Pages: 70 - 81

History

Published online: Jan 1, 1987
Published in print: Jan 1987

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Authors

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Wesley P. James, M. ASCE
Assoc. Prof., Civ. Engrg. Dept., Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX 77843
Phillip W. Winsor
Hydrologist, Texas Water Commission, Austin, TX 78711
Jimmy R. Williams, M. ASCE
Research Hydraul. Engr., Agricultural Research Service, Temple, TX 76503

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