Curve Numbers for Nine Mountainous Eastern United States Watersheds: Seasonal Variation and Forest Cutting
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 17, Issue 11
Abstract
Many engineers and hydrologists use the curve number method to estimate runoff from ungaged watersheds; however, the method does not explicitly account for the influence of season or forest cutting on runoff. This study of observed rainfall and runoff for small, forested watersheds that span the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States showed that curve numbers calibrated for the growing season tended to be smaller than for the dormant season. Forest cutting tended to increase curve numbers. However, the increase in water yield following forest cutting on these watersheds only lasted 1 year to 11 years, thereby limiting the precision of the curve numbers estimated for these brief hydrologic effect periods. This study highlights the need to account for seasonal and forest cutting when estimating runoff from some forested watersheds.
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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 at the University of Georgia. Richard Hawkins of the University of Arizona, Tucson, reviewed this note and provided insightful background and guidance on the use, interpretation, and limitations of the curve number method. The observed watershed characteristics and rainfall–runoff series required for this study were provided by Stephanie Laseter with the USDA Forest Service Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory; Frederica Wood with the USDA Forest Service Fernow Experimental Forest; Amey Bailey with the USDA Forest Service Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest; and Josh Romeis (deceased) and Rhett Jackson with the University of Georgia Etowah Research Project.The reviews and comments by Rhett Jackson and Bill Tollner of the University of Georgia, Chris Knightes of the U.S. EPA, and the anonymous reviewers and editors of this journal are appreciated. The U.S. EPA reviewed and approved this paper for publication.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 17 • Issue 11 • November 2012
Pages: 1199 - 1203
Copyright
© 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 20, 2010
Accepted: May 19, 2011
Published online: May 30, 2011
Published in print: Nov 1, 2012
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