Printer Friendly Format

Page 1 of 2
| Next |

Estimation of runoff through Remote Sensing

Indu Jaiswal, R.Mani Murali, V. K. Panchal
Defence Terrain Research Laboratory,
Metcalfe House, Delhi-110054.

Abstract
Most environmental process show complicated interrelations, both time and space, leading to numerical models with a complex mathematical structure. Also environmental models require huge amount of data often coming from many sources like Remote sensing. Knowledge of Runoff that depends upon many factors like precipitation, recharge of the basin, type of soil etc is one such important parameter.

In this study an attempt is made to compute Runoff estimation from Remote sensing data so as to provide a quick result for decision-makers, before any experimentation of quantification is taken up. This is a less time consuming method and also gives more and more reliable results as the imperviousness of the drainage area increases and the value of Runoff coefficient tends to approach unity. This method can be used effectively in the design of storm water drains and small water control projects.

Introduction
Throughout the world the need for hydrological studies results from engineering problems encountered by man, such as flooding, design of bridges and dams, soil erosion, design of storm water drains. Most studies focused on stream flow.

The lack of adequate data and the extreme variability in space and time of all factors that control the runoff process causes the validity of this methodology.

Principle
The principle behind this methodology is that, the depth of excess precipitation or direct runoff is always less than or equal to the depth of precipitation, likewise after runoff begins the additional depth of water retained in the watershed is less than or equal to some potential maximum retention. There is some amount of rainfall Ia for which no runoff will occur, so the potential runoff is (P - Ia ). According to the SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE (1972) hypothesis the ratios of the two actual to the two potential quantities are equal that is

( F_a / S) = (P_e / (P - I_a )) …… (1) From continuity principle

P = P_e + I_a + F_a ……..(2)



combining equation (1) and (2)

P_e = ((P - I_a )2 ) / (P - I_a + S) ………(3)

This is the basic equation for computing the depth of excess rainfall or direct runoff from a storm .

By study of results from many small experimental water sheds, an empirical relation was developed that is

I_a = 0.2S …………….(4)
then P_e = ((P - 0.2S )2 ) / (P +0.8 S) ……………..(5)

Plotting the data for P and Pe from many watersheds the SCS found curves of the type shown in fig.

To standardize these curves, a dimensionless curve number CN is defined such that 0 £ CN £ 100. For impervious surface and water surface CN = 100; for natural surfaces CN 100. The curve number and S are related by

S =( ( 1000 / CN ) - 10) ………………….(6)




Where S is in inches. The curve is for normal antecedent moisture conditions( AMC II ) . For dry condition (AMC I) or wet condition (AMC III) equivalent curve numbers can be calculated as follow.

CN( I) = (4.2 CN(II) ) / ( 10 - 0.058 CN(II)) ……….(7)

CN(III) = (23 CN(II)) / ( 10+ 0.13 CN (II)) …………..(8)

Page 1 of 2
| Next |