1.

INTRODUCTION

Figure 1.0 : Shows hydrological cycle

The hydrological cycle describes the constant movement of water above, on, and
below the Earth's surface. The cycle operates across all scales, from the global to the smallest
stream catchment and involves the movement of water along evapotranspiration,
precipitation, surface runoff, subsurface flow and groundwater pathways. In essence, water is
evaporated from the land, oceans and vegetation to the atmosphere, using the radiant energy
from the Sun, and is recycled back in the form of rain or snow. When moisture from the
atmosphere falls to the Earth's surface it becomes subdivided into different interconnected
pathways.
Precipitation (excluding snow and hail) wets vegetation, directly enters surface water
bodies or begins to infiltrate into the ground to replenish soil moisture. Excess water
percolates to the zone of saturation, or groundwater, from where it moves down ward and
laterally to sites of groundwater discharge. The rate of infiltration varies with land use, soil
characteristics and the duration and intensity of the rainfall event. If the rate of precipitation
exceeds the rate of infiltration this leads to overland flow. Water reaching streams, both by
surface runoff and groundwater discharge eventually moves to the sea where it is again
evaporated to perpetuate the hydrological cycle.

Rainfall characteristics
Precipitation in arid and semi-arid zones results largely from convective cloud
mechanisms producing storms typically of short duration, relatively high intensity and limited
areal extent. However, low intensity frontal-type rains are also experienced, usually in the
winter season. When most precipitation occurs during winter, as in Jordan and in the Negev,
relatively low-intensity rainfall may represent the greater part of annual rainfall. Rainfall
intensity is defined as the ratio of the total amount of rain (rainfall depth)falling during a
given period to the duration of the period It is expressed in depth units per unit time, usually
as mm per hour (mm/h).
The statistical characteristics of high-intensity, short-duration, convective rainfall are
essentially independent of locations within a region and are similar in many parts of the
world. Analysis of short-term rainfall data suggests that there is a reasonably stable
relationship governing the intensity characteristics of this type of rainfall. Studies carried out
in Saudi Arabia (Raikes and Partners 1971) suggest that, on average, around 50 percent of all
rain occurs at intensities in excess of 20 mm/hour and 20-30 percent occurs at intensities in
excess of 40 mm/hour. This relationship appears to be independent of the long-term average
rainfall at a particular location.
The surface runoff process
When rain falls, the first drops of water are intercepted by the leaves and stems of the
vegetation. This is usually referred to as interception storage. As the rain continues, water
reaching the ground surface infiltrates into the soil until it reaches a stage where the rate of
rainfall (intensity) exceeds the infiltration capacity of the soil. Thereafter,
surface puddles, ditches, and other depressions are filled (depression storage), after which
runoff is generated. The infiltration capacity of the soil depends on its texture and structure,
as well as on the antecedent soil moisture content (previous rainfall or dry season). The initial
capacity (of a dry soil) is high but, as the storm continues, it decreases until it reaches a
steady value termed as final infiltration rate.
The process of runoff generation continues as long as the rainfall intensity exceeds the
actual infiltration capacity of the soil but it stops as soon as the rate of rainfall drops below
the actual rate of infiltration. The rainfall runoff process is well described in the literature.
Numerous papers on the subject have been published and many computer simulation models
have been developed. All these models, however, require detailed knowledge of a number of
2

factors and initial boundary conditions in a catchment area which in most cases are not
readily available. For a better understanding of the difficulties of accurately predicting the
amount of runoff resulting from a rainfall event, the major factors which influence the
rainfall-runoff process are described below
2.0

3.0

OBJECTIVE
1. To identify the relationship between rainfall and runoff.

THEORY
Runoff is generated by rainstorms and its occurrence and quality are dependent on the

characteristics of the rainfall event, i.e. intensity, duration and distribution. The rainfall-runoff
process is extremely complex, making it difficult to model accurately. There are, in addition,
other important factors which influence the runoff generating process like natural surface
detention, soil infiltration characteristics and the drainage pattern formed by natural flow
paths. The soil type, vegetative cover and topography play as important roles. Rainfall and
runoff are very important hydrologic components because if their direct relations with water
resources quality, flood, streamflow and design of dam and hydraulic structure.

4.0

APPARATUS

Figure 4.1 : Shows basic hydrology instrument

Figure 4.2 : Basic Hydrological Instrument

Figure 4.3 : Stopwatch

Figure 4.4 : Rain gauge

5.0

PROCEDURE
Case 1 : flat and sandy soil surface profile (without slope).
Case 2 : flat and sandy soil surface with 1:100 slope profile.
1.
2.
3.
4.

The rail ate side of the catchment area was adjusted to get the slope zero.
The pump had been switched on and the stop watch also started.
The reading of the discharge and the rain gauge was recorded every 30 seconds.
The pump was switched off after three discharge reading with the same value was

obtained (peak discharge)

5. The time while stop the rainfall has been recorded.
6. At the same time, the discharge for each 30 seconds until the reading reached 0.5
m/s.
7. Step 1 to step 6 was repeated by the rail at the side of the catchment area was adjusted
to 1.6mm.

6.0
RESULT AND DATA ANALYSIS
Table result :Case 2
Time, t
(s)

Water level
(mm)

Discharge
(liter/min)

Discharge
(m/s)

Rain Gauge
Reading
(mm)

30

0.0

60

0.0

14

90

0.2

0.00000333

38

120

25

7.5

0.000125

51

150

33

15.5

0.000258

64

180
210

33
33

15.5
15.5

0.000258
0.000258

77
90

240

33

15.5

0.000258

104

270

33

15.5

0.000258

116

300

33

15.5

0.000258

330

28

11.5

0.000192

360

20

5.0

0.0000833

390

16

2.8

0.0000467

420

13

1.5

0.000025

450

10

0.9

0.000015

480

0.7

0.000012

510

0.5

0.0000083

540

0.4

0.0000067

570

0.4

0.0000067

600

0.4

0.0000067

630

0.2

0.0000033

Table 6.1 : shows the water level, the discharge and rain gauge reading

Case 2
Direct flow
Time, t

Total flow, Q

Base flow

(m/s) (Total
flow Base
flow)

30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240
270
300
330
360
390
420
450
480
510
540
570
600
630
Total

(m/s)
0
0
0.00000333
0.000125
0.000258
0.000258
0.000258
0.000258
0.000258
0.000258
0.000192
0.0000833
0.0000467
0.000025
0.000015
0.000012
0.0000083
0.0000067
0.0000067
0.0000067
0.0000033

(m/s)
0
0
0.0000022
0.000013
0.000015
0.00002
0.000025
0.000035

0
0
0.00000113
0.000112
0.000243
0.000238
0.000233
0.000223

0.00208203
0.0001102
0.00105013
Table 6. 2 : shows the total flow, base flow and direct flow.

The discharge (unit m/s) versus time (second)

0
0
0
0
0
0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Graph 6.1 : the discharge (unit m/s) versus time (second) graph
QUESTION
1. Plot the discharge (unit m/s) versus time (second) graph separately
from the above values
2. From the graph plotted, determine :a) Time concentration,
Case 2: 150 < tc < 270
b) Rainfall duration,
Case 2: rainfall duration is 180 seconds
c) Peak discharge,
Case 2: when 180 seconds discharge will be 0.000258m3/s
d) Runoff volume,
Runoff volume = Total Direct Flow
Case 2 : DF= 0.00208203 m3/s x 3600s = 7.4753 m3
e) Rainfall intensity,
Case 2:
Rainfall intensity = rain gauge maximum / rain duration
= 116 mm / 180 s
= 0.64 mm/s

f) Storage volume
Storage volume = Base flow x 3600s
Case 2: storage volume = 0.0001102 m3/s x 3600s
= 0.39672 m3/s
3. Provide a table for all the results obtained from (2).

Case 2
Time concentration
150 < tc < 270
Rainfall duration
180
Peak discharge
0.000258
Runoff volume
7.4753
Rainfall intensity
0.64
Storage volume
0.39672
Table 6.3 : All data for Case 2

7.0

DISCUSSION
As conclusion of this experiment, we fully understand how to identify the relationship

between rainfall and runoff and it process. Besides that, we also can verify that when the
rainfall increased, the runoff will also increase until it reached the time of maximum
discharge. Using the rain gauge, we can record the discharge and its time for each catchment
area. From this experiment, we can apply this knowledge to design the dam or drain.The
applications of the basic hydrology system were very important to control the flood. Besides
that, we can also use this application to avoid the high cost for construction the dam or drain.
Then, we also have determined all factors that affected runoff such as rainfall intensity, type
of surfaces, rainfall duration, and others.

10

8.0

CONCLUSION
As conclusion of this experiment, we fully understand how to identify the relationship

between rainfall and runoff and it process. Besides that, we also can verify that when the
rainfall increased, the runoff will also increase until it reached the time of maximum
discharge. Using the rain gauge, we can record the discharge and its time for each catchment
area. From this experiment, we can apply this knowledge to design the dam or drain.The
applications of the basic hydrology system were very important to control the flood. Besides
that, we can also use this application to avoid the high cost for construction the dam or drain.
Then, we also have determined all factors that effected runoff such as rainfall intensity, type
of surfaces, rainfall duration, and others.

9.0

REFERENCE
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrology
2. http://www.scribd.com/doc/174047240/BASIC-HYDROLOGY-INFILTRATIONTEST#scribd

11