Reservoir Basin Morphometry

The intrinsic morphometry of 20 reservoir basins is studied, using dimensionless graphs to identify and quantify the shape parameters of their: (1)Transverse sections; (2)longitudinal profiles; and (3)width variation with axial length. Two mathematical models of basin morphometry are considered, incorporating (1)A simple power-monomial type; and (2)an exponential type based on several hypotheses regarding basin-shaping agencies. Universal formulas are developed for stored volume in terms of water depth and surface area, and the three parameters. Nomographs are constructed for the power-monomial formula: also for families of characteristic dimensionless curves for both formulas to permit visual determination of the parameters for both the transverse and longitudinal profiles. The capacities of the reservoirs studied are computed by the power-monomial formula, and the results agree closely with the volumes determined by normal methods.