Unit hydrograph approximations assuming linear flow through topologically random channel networks

Water Resources Research
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Abstract

The instantaneous unit Hydrograph (IUH) of a drainage basin is derived in terms of fundamental basin characteristics (Z, α, β), where α parameterizes the link (channel segment) length distribution, and β is a vector of hydraulic parameters, Z is one of three basin topological properties, N, (N, D), or (N, M), where N is magnitude (number of first-order streams), D is diameter (mainstream length), and M is order. The IUH is derived based on assumptions that the links are independent and identically distributed random variables and that the network is a member of a topologically random population. Linear routing schemes, including translation, diffusion, and general linear routing are used, and constant drainage density is assumed. By using (N, α, β) as the fundamental basin characteristics, asymptotic (for large N) considerations lead to a Weibull probability density function for the IUH, with time to peak given by tp = (2N)½ α** where α* is mean link length, and β* is a scalar hydraulic parameter (usually average celerity). This asymptotic IUH is identical for all linear routing schemes.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Unit hydrograph approximations assuming linear flow through topologically random channel networks
Series title Water Resources Research
DOI 10.1029/WR021i005p00743
Volume 21
Issue 5
Year Published 1985
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s) Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 12 p.
First page 743
Last page 754
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