Rate-Based Estimation of the Runoff Coefficients for Selected Watersheds in Texas
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 18, Issue 12
Abstract
The runoff coefficient, , of the rational method is an expression of rate proportionality between rainfall intensity and peak discharge. Values of were derived for 80 developed and undeveloped watersheds in Texas using two distinct methods. First, the rate-based runoff coefficient, , was estimated for each of about 1,500 rainfall-runoff events. Second, the frequency-matching approach was used to derive a runoff coefficient, , for each watershed. Published values, , or literature-based runoff coefficients were compared to those obtained from the methods investigated here. Using the 80 Texas watersheds, comparison of the two methods shows that about 75% of literature-based runoff coefficients are greater than and the watershed-median , but for developed watersheds with more impervious cover, literature-based runoff coefficients are less than and . An equation applicable to many Texas watersheds is proposed to estimate as a function of impervious area.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank TxDOT project director Chuck Stead, P.E., and project monitoring advisor members for their guidance and assistance. They also express thanks to technical reviewers Jennifer Murphy and Nancy A. Barth from USGS Tennessee and California Water Science Centers, respectively, and to three anonymous reviewers; the comments and suggestions greatly improved the paper. This study was partially supported by TxDOT Research Projects 0–6070, 0–4696, 0–4193, and 0–4194.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 18 • Issue 12 • December 2013
Pages: 1571 - 1580
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 13, 2011
Accepted: Nov 29, 2012
Published online: Dec 1, 2012
Discussion open until: May 1, 2013
Published in print: Dec 1, 2013
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