Details:

Alternative Title:
Subdivision of watersheds for modeling.
Creators:
Thompson, David B. (David Brian) ; Cleveland, Theodore G. ; Asquith, William H.
Thompson, David B. (David Brian) ; Cleveland, Theodore G. ; Asquith, William H. Less -
Corporate Creators:
United States. Federal Highway Administration ; Texas. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation Office ; Texas Tech University. College of Engineering
United States. Federal Highway Administration ; Texas. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation Office ; Texas Tech University. College of Engineering Less -
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Hydrologic Models Hydrology--Data Processing Rain And Rainfall Watersheds
Publication/ Report Number:
FHWA/TX-0-5822-01-2
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Corporate Publisher:
Texas Tech University. College of Engineering
Abstract:
The purpose of this report is to present a set of findings and examples for subdivision of watersheds for hydrologic modeling. Three approaches were used to examine the impact of watershed subdivision on modeled hydrologic response: (1) An equal-area approach, (2) an ad-hoc approach wherein subdivisions were created at locations based on engineering judgment, and (3) a distributed-modeling approach. The three methods were implemented by different individuals with varied hydrologic experience, using their professional judgment under the direction of project researchers. Technology included NRCS curve number method for runoff volume, a variety of runoff-transformation methods, and use of measured rainfall-runoff responses. In general, subdivision had little or no impact on runoff volume. Estimates of peak discharge from study watersheds showed modest improvement in accuracy, but none beyond about 5-7 subdivisions. Time to peak estimates tended to degrade with subdivision, most likely because hydrologic routing introduced additional parameters requiring estimates. The distributed-modeling approach was extremely difficult to apply. In general, subdivision of watersheds is beneficial primarily when flow rates at locations internal to the watershed are required. The improvement in implied accuracy does not generally justify the subdivision process
Format:
PDF
Funding:
0-5822-01-2
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:746e3a2dcb6c78148ffe20aa61e88a8c0ad22e6b506af5345f2c393d7d47dac0
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/16896/dot_16896_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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