APPLICATION OF SCS INFILTRATION MODEL1

ABSTRACT: The SCS infiltration model was applied to the Ralston Creek watershed in eastern Iowa. The criteria to determine the various model parameters were revised to obtain a better agreement between the observed and computed total runoffs. A procedure to calibrate the infiltration model is presented. The infiltration model was used in conjunction with an overland flow model to develop flood hydrographs. The results indicate that SCS infiltration model adequately describe the distribution of losses.     

INFILTRATION EVALUATION OF FOUR MECHANICAL RAINFALL SIMULATION TECHNIQUES IN SIERRA NEVADA WATERSHEDS1

ABSTRACT: Little quantitative site-specific infiltration, runoff and sediment transport data for Tahoe Basin soils under varying storm events or stage of development are available. Modular (Ml), F-type (M2), Impact nozzle (M3), and Impact-Fan nozzle (M4) rainfall simulators were evaluated as to their practicality and ability to characterize infiltration for the Cagwin Soil Series within the Tahoe Basin. Three slope (0–15,15–30, >30%) and four plot conditions (natural with duff [P1], natural without duff [P2], disturbed without duff [P3], and disturbed with duff [P4]) were studied. The measured data were incorporated into a modified Philip's infiltration model and multiple non-linear regression analyses were used to examine relationships between method, slope, plot condition, and infiltration characteristics.^t Simulation methods Ml and M4 produced statistically similar (P=0.01) infiltration data, as did M2 and M3 which produced lower infiltration rates. All were found suitable for use in Sierra Nevada watersheds. Ml was considered most practical. Slope had negligible effect on infiltration. The plot condition was found to significantly influence infiltration, and the effect of each plot condition was significantly different. Final infiltration rates ranged from 4.7 to 6.2 cm/hr. Thus, the Cagwin soil demonstrated moderate to high infiltration rates even when exposed to extreme storm conditions (8–10 cm/hr).     

MODELING INFILTRATION WITH VARYING HYDRAULIC CONDUCTWITY UNDER SIMULATED RAINFALL CONDITIONS1

ABSTRACT: Physically-based models are extensively used to simulate the infiltration process under varied field conditions. Most models are based on the deterministic nature of input parameters related to the flow process (such as hydraulic conductivity). These models yield poor predictions of infiltration rates because they do not include the field-scale variations of flow parameters. The paper presents an approach for integrating the field-scale variability of hydraulic conductivity with an infiltration model to simulate infiltration under the rainfall conditions. A model describing the spatial structure of hydraulic conductivity has been developed using stochastic techniques. The stochastic structure of hydraulic conductivity was then incorporated in the Green-Ampt and Mein-Larson infiltration model. The model outputs on the instantaneous infiltration rates and cumulative infiltration were evaluated using the field infiltration data measured under simulated rainfall conditions. The results show that the combined model is capable of rep. resenting the instantaneous infiltration rates and cumulative infiltration of the study soils. The model may, therefore, be used to simulate the rainfall infiltration process for spatially-variable soils under the field conditions.     

APPLICABILITY OF THE GREEN AND AMPT INFILTRATION EQUATION TO RANGELANDS1

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate the use of Green and Ampt infiltration equation parameters (determined by least squares fitting of field infiltration data or predicted from soil texture properties) to characterize infiltration on spatially varying rangeland sites. It was found that a least squares regression approach reduces the physically based parameters in the Green and Ampt to empirical coefficients since negative coefficients are obtained, particularly on plots with low infiltration rates. Green and Ampt parameters predicted from soil texture data describe infiltration rates less than 3 cm/hr. The applicability of these Green and Ampt parameters appears limited to sites with lower infiltration rates. Results indicate that soil texture predictive triangles, developed to describe infiltration on agricultural soils, need revision to adequately describe infiltration patterns on rangelands.     

EFFECT OF RAINFALL EXCESS CALCULATIONS ON MODELED HYDROGRAPH ACCURACY AND UNIT-HYDROGRAPH PARAMETERS1

ABSTRACT: Two methods of computing rainfall excess in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’flood hydrograph package (HEC-1), the Initial and Uniform method and the Exponential method, are compared to evaluate the effects on modeled hydrograph accuracy. Two computed unit-hydrograph parameters, time of concentration and storage coefficient, were also compared. Rainfall and runoff data from 209 storms in 32 gaged basins in Illinois were used to calibrate the HEC-1 model. Three hydrograph characteristics - sum of incremental flows, peak discharge, and time of peak discharge - were used to evaluate modeled hydrograph accuracy. Mean percent error for each basin and hydrograph characteristic was computed. An evaluation of the mean errors indicates that, although some bias in modeled hydrograph accuracy is evident, rainfall excess computed using either method results in a computed hydrograph accuracy that is within generally accepted limits. Application of a linear-regression model shows no significant differences in computed values of unit-hydrograph parameters.     

DETERMINATION OF SEDIMENT YIELD BY TRANSFERRING RAINFALL DATA1

ABSTRACT: A methodology for obtaining the optimal design value to allow for sediment storage in a reservoir is presented for the situation where no data on sediment loads in the incoming streams are available. Information concerning the amount of sediment delivered to the reservoir over its life-time is obtained by a sediment yield model which uses data on rainfall amount and duration obtained from a nearby experimental watershed. Bayesian Decision Theory is used to obtain the optimal storage requirements in order to consider the natural variation of rainfall and the sampling error due to the short rainfall record available. The normally difficult calculations involved were made tractable by the use of simplifications and approximations valid in the context of the problem. Results show that sediment storage requirements can be calculated in this manner and that consideration of the uncertainties involved leads to a storage requirement substantially larger than that calculated without such consideration.     

STEADY-STATE ANALYSIS OF INFILTRATION AND OVERLAND FLOW FOR SPATIALLY-VARIED HILLSLOPES1

ABSTRACT: An envelope of steady-state surface runoff response for a hilislope is established in terms of the probability distribution and spatial arrangement of individual point infiltration capacities and the rainfall intensity. Minimum overland flow is shown to occur when point infiltration capacities are ordered with the highest at the slope bottom, while maximum overland flow occurs when the highest point capacities are at the top of the slope. Equations for envelope curves are developed for both continuous distributions and discretely sampled data; examples for each case are given. Use of the analysis as a rainfall-runoff model is also discussed.     

WATER LOSS EQUATIONS AND COEFFICIENTS TO ESTIMATE RUNOFF FROM RAINFALL1

Infiltration models are based on physical characteristics of the soil and initial soil moisture. For a given soil it is based on the initial soil moisture distribution. A computer simulation model for flood runoff systems (FH-Model) was used to analyze 39 sets of rainfall-runoff data on four small watersheds ranging in size from 17 to 342 square kilometers located in the Yamaska River basin in Quebec. From these analyses, parameters and coefficients have been determined for a water loss (infiltration) equation. A method for determining the loss parameters, using a nonlinear least square curve fitting technique, is presented. Expressions were made to relate the loss parameters to antecedent precipitation. The equations were tested on 11 storm rainfall and runoff events on a watershed located in the same region and close agreements were found.     

DISCHARGE CHARACTERISTICS OF PERFORATED PIPE FOR USE IN INFILTRATION TRENCHES1

ABSTRACT: Infiltration trenches are an effective stormwater management alternative for the control of urban runoff from small areas. Perforated pipes buried within the gravel of an infiltration trench are used to distribute the inflowing runoff along the length of the trench. Laboratory tests are described that characterize the hydraulics of the orifices in perforated pipes. The results show that the steady-state exfiltration of water from the pipe into a surrounding gravel trench can be described by the orifice equation.     

REGIONAL RAINFALL INTENSITY-DURATION-FREQUENCY CURVES FOR PENNSYLVANIA1

ABSTRACT: A statistical analysis of all available continuous hourly and 15-minute duration rainfall records for Pennsylvania was performed to develop an updated procedure to estimate design storms. As a resuit of this study, Pennsylvania was divided into five homogeneous rainfall regions and a set of rainfall intensity-duration curves developed for each region, for return periods of 1 to 100 years and durations ranging from 5 minutes to 24 hours. The PDT-IDF curves were judged to be a better representation of Pennsylvania rainfall than the nationwide TP-40 maps, particularly for storm events of 10-years and lower return periods. The average time distribution of 24-hour storms in Pennsylvania was found to be well represented by the SCS Type II distribution. The Corps of Engineers SPS 24-hour distribution was found to differ appreciably from both the SCS Type H and the Pennsylvania 24-hour storm distribution. For storm durations between 15 and 90 minutes the standard Yarnell intensity-duration curves closely resemble Pennsylvania storm distributions.     

A TECHNIQUE FOR MEASURING RAINFALL POTENTIAL1

ABSTRACT The roles played by thermodynamic stability and precipitable water in the production of rainfall are of prime importance. These two variables have been combined into a “Rainfall Potential” function by the use of multivariate statistical techniques. Data from weather stations in southern New Mexico and southwest Texas were used in the study. The results appear promising for further investigation, possibly in relation to the occurrence of rare but extremely heavy rains     

EFFECTS OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT ON HEAVY RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION1

ABSTRACT: A network of 225 recording raingages was operated over an area of 5200 km² in the St. Louis region during 1971-1975, in conjunction with an extensive investigation of urban effects on precipitation. Study of urban-induced effects on the frequency of heavy rainstorms has revealed a pronounced increase in the occurrence of storms producing 25 mm (1 inch) or more of rain. The increase is greatest in an area that is frequently in the path of storms passing across two urban-industrial regions. Analyses of raincells (rain intensity centers) within heavy convective storms shows a pronounced increase in water yield from cells exposed to potential urban effects, compared with those exposed only to the surrounding rural environment. Naturally-occurring heavy cells tend to undergo the greatest enhancement from urban exposure. Other analyses indicate an above-average frequency of excessive rain rates for periods of five minutes to two hours downwind of the urban-industrial complex. It is concluded that urban-induced intensification of short-duration rainstorms is sufficient to merit inclusion in the design and operation of urban-area hydrologic systems that control the flow of surplus storm water.     

GENERATION OF HOURLY RAINFALL1

ABSTRACT: A rainfall model was developed to divide daily rainfall into storms and distribute storm depths over storm duration for input into the Stanford Watershed Model.     

A DIGITAL OVERLAY TECHNIQUE FOR EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL INFILTRATION AND RECHARGE1

ABSTRACT: A common problem encountered during regional planning and development of ground water dependent communities is the difficulty in deciding which areas should be preserved for aquifer recharge purposes. This paper describes the development and application of a digital overlay technique for objective evaluation and ranking of potential infiltration and potential recharge areas. Equations are developed which relate the hydrologic parameters pertaining to infiltration and recharge in a surface aquifer-confined aquifer system. These equations make use of discrete data, yet by application in a digital overlay technique results are obtained in the form of spatial distributions in order for regional trends and conditions to be examined. An application of this procedure to the 551,000 acre region of central Florida, known as the Green Swamp, is discussed. The results are presented in the form of computer generated maps which identify and rank areas of potential recharge to the aquifer system.     

STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS ON THE RANDOMNESS OF ANNUAL MAXIMUM DAILY RAINFALL1

ABSTRACT: Annual maximum daily rainfall data from nine stations throughout the southern slopes of the Eastern Italian Alps with record length of 67–68 years have been analyzed with the aim of verifying if their internal structure justifies the assumption of independence and identical distribution, or the “White noise hypothesis.” The approach is to consider the hypothesis H₀ of white noise as the intersection of several sub-hypotheses, each concerning one of the characteristics of a white noise process. To this end the nine series were subjected to various statistical tests regarding randomness, independence, change-points, and predictability. The results are examined first individually and then globally. They indicate that in eight of the nine considered time series the “white noise hypothesis” was rejected.     

SIMPLE DESIGN FOR SIMULTANEOUS STEADY-STATE INFILTRATION EXPERIMENTS WITH RING INFILTROMETERS1

ABSTRACT: A successful procedure for measuring steady-state infiltration rates at remote locations is described. The equipment for the simultaneous experiments is of simple design, inexpensive, and rugged. A total of 247 steady-state infiltration measurements were made across a small rangeland catchment using the procedure as described. The reason for the measurements was to characterize the spatial variability of infiltration across the catchment. The limiting factor for the multiple-ring system as employed in this study was a sufficient water supply to conduct the experiments to completion.     

SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR MONTHLY RAINFALL IN SOUTH FLORIDA1

ABSTRACT: Several methods have been developed to interpolate point rainfall data and integrate areal rainfall data from any network of stations. From previous studies, it can be concluded that models for spatial analysis of rainfall are dependent on topography, area of analysis, type of rainfall, and density of gauging network. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a set of six appropriate models for point and areal rainfall estimations over a 4000 square mile area in South Florida. In this study, a case of developing spatial continuity model for monthly rainfall from a database that had various lengths of records and missing data is documented. The spatial correlation and variogram models for monthly rainfall were developed. Six methods of spatial interpolation were applied and the results validated with historical observations. The results of the study indicate that the multiquadric, kriging, and optimal interpolation schemes are the best three methods for interpolation of monthly rainfall within the study area. The optimal and kriging methods have the advantage of providing estimates of the error of interpolation. The optimal interpolation method uses the spatial correlation function and the kriging method uses the variogram function. The two spatial functions are related. Either of the two methods provide good estimates of monthly point and areal rainfall in the study area.     

SLUDGE APPLICATION EFFECTS ON RUNOFF,INFILTRATION, AND WATER QUALITY1

ABSTRACT: Land application of sewage sludge requires careful monitoring because of its potential for contamination of surface water and ground water. A rainfall simulator was used the investigate the effects of freshly applied sludge on infiltration, and on runoff of sediment and nutrients from agricultural crop lands. Rain was applied to 16 experimental field plots. A three-run sequence was used to simulate different initial moisture conditions. Runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses were monitored at the base of each plot during the simulated rainfall events. Sludge was surface applied and incorporated at conventionally-tilled plots and surface applied at no-till plots, at rates of 0, 75, 150 kg-N/ha. Steady-state infiltrability increased as a result of sludge application, although the no-till practice was more effective in increasing the infiltrability than the sludge application. No-till practices greatly reduced runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses from the sludge treated plots, relative to the conventional tillage practices. Incorporation of the sludge was effective in reducing nutrient yields at the conventionally-tilled plots. This effect was more pronounced during the third rainstorm, with wet initial conditions. Peak loadings of nutrients appeared during the rainstorm with wet initial conditions.     

DEVELOPMENT OF PREDICTION EQUATIONS FOR A PHREATIC AQUIFER IN RESPONSE TO INFILTRATION: DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS1

ABSTRACT: The need for a quick means to predict the subsurface flow into a stream caused the authors to take a different approach to the problem. Dimensional analysis was applied to deduce a functional relationship between the dependent and independent variables. This paper lays the ground work for the development of prediction equations for a phreatic aquifer in response to infiltration.