River Discharge , Storm Hydrograph and Floods

Group 5 : Ryan Muzembe , Nomsa Mungandiwe , Tsitsidzaishe Nhau , Takundashe Hove &
Reuel Mukwanhi

River discharge, also known as stream discharge or river flow, refers to the volume of water
that flows through a river or stream per unit time.

What is it?
River discharge (Q) is typically measured in cubic meters per second (m³/s) or cubic feet per
second (ft³/s).

Formula:
Q=AxV

Where:
Q = River discharge (m³/s)
A = Cross-sectional area of the river (m²)
V = Velocity of the water (m/s)

Factors Affecting River Discharge:

1. Precipitation
2. Evaporation
3. Infiltration
4. Groundwater flow
5. Snowmelt
6. Human activities (e.g., damming, water diversion)

Importance:
1. Hydroelectric power generation
2. Water supply management
3. Flood control and management
4. Navigation and transportation
5. Ecosystem health and aquatic life
6. Water quality monitoring

Measurement Methods:
1. Stream gauges
2. Acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP)
3. Electromagnetic flow meters
4. Ultrasonic flow meters
5. Hydrological modeling
River Discharge Types:
1. Mean daily discharge
2. Peak discharge (flood)
3. Low flow (drought)
4. Base flow (minimum flow)

Calculating different types of river discharge:

*Mean Daily Discharge (MDQ)*

1. Measure stream flow at regular intervals (e.g., hourly).
2. Calculate average daily discharge.

Formula:
MDQ = (ΣQ)/n

Where:
MDQ = Mean daily discharge (m³/s)
ΣQ = Sum of discharge measurements (m³/s)
n = Number of measurements

*Peak Discharge (Qp)*

1. Measure stream flow during flood events.
2. Identify maximum discharge value.

Formula:
Qp = max(Q)

Where:
Qp = Peak discharge (m³/s)
Q = Discharge measurement (m³/s)

*Low Flow (Qlf)*

1. Measure stream flow during drought periods.
2. Identify minimum discharge value.

Formula:
Qlf = min(Q)
Where:

Qlf = Low flow (m³/s)

Q = Discharge measurement (m³/s)

*Base Flow (Qb)*

1. Measure stream flow during non-flood periods.

2. Calculate average discharge.

Formula:
Qb = (ΣQ)/n

Where:
Qb = Base flow (m³/s)
ΣQ = Sum of discharge measurements (m³/s)
n = Number of measurements

*Annual Flood Discharge (Qa)*

1. Measure stream flow during flood events.

2. Calculate maximum annual discharge.

Formula:

Qa = max(Q) (annual)

Where:

Qa = Annual flood discharge (m³/s)

Q = Discharge measurement (m³/s)

*Average Annual Discharge (QA)*

1. Measure stream flow throughout the year.

2. Calculate average annual discharge.
Formula:

QA = (ΣQ)/n

Where:

QA = Average annual discharge (m³/s)

ΣQ = Sum of discharge measurements (m³/s)
n = Number of measurements

*Discharge Coefficient (Cd)*

1. Measure stream flow and channel characteristics.

2. Calculate discharge coefficient.

Formula:
Cd = Q / (A * √(g * R))

Where:

Cd = Discharge coefficient (unitless)

Q = Discharge measurement (m³/s)
A = Cross-sectional area (m²)
g = Acceleration due to gravity (m/s²)
R = Hydraulic radius (m)

Application Areas of River Discharge Calculation:

1. Hydrology
2. Civil engineering
3. Environmental science
4. Water resources management
5. Ecology

Storm Hydrograph

A storm hydrograph is a graphical representation of the relationship between rainfall intensity

and runoff (stream flow) over time, typically during a storm event.

Characteristics:
1. Time-series plot
2. Shows rainfall and runoff data
3. Illustrates storm response

Components:

1. Rising limb: Increasing runoff due to rainfall

2. Peak discharge: Maximum runoff rate
3. Recession limb: Decreasing runoff after peak
4. Base flow: Pre-storm runoff level

Importance:

1. Flood prediction and warning

2. Watershed management
3. Hydrologic modeling
4. Stormwater management design
5. Water resources planning

Types of Storm Hydrographs:

1. Synthetic hydrograph: Theoretical representation

2. Observed hydrograph: Measured data
3. S-curve hydrograph: Cumulative rainfall and runoff

Types of Storm Hydrographs:

*1. Synthetic Hydrograph*

- Definition: Theoretical representation of a storm hydrograph.

- Purpose: Used for design and planning purposes.
- Characteristics:
- Idealized rainfall and runoff relationship.
- Simplified representation of watershed response.

*2. Observed Hydrograph*

- Definition: Measured data from a specific storm event.

- Purpose: Used for calibration and validation of hydrologic models.
- Characteristics:
- Actual rainfall and runoff data.
 - Reflects real-world complexities.

*3. S-Curve Hydrograph*

- Definition: Cumulative rainfall and runoff plot.

- Purpose: Used to analyze watershed response.
- Characteristics:
- S-shaped curve represents cumulative rainfall and runoff.
- Helps identify watershed's storage and drainage characteristics.

*4. Unit Hydrograph (UH)*

- Definition: Representation of watershed response to a unit rainfall.

- Purpose: Used for predicting storm hydrographs.
- Characteristics:
- Standardized representation of watershed response.
- Allows for scaling and superposition.

*5. Design Hydrograph*

- Definition: Synthetic hydrograph used for design purposes.

- Purpose: Used for infrastructure design (e.g., dams, bridges).
- Characteristics:
- Represents worst-case scenario.
- Accounts for factors like rainfall intensity and duration.

*6. Rational Hydrograph*

- Definition: Theoretical hydrograph based on rational method.

- Purpose: Used for urban drainage design.
- Characteristics:
- Assumes uniform rainfall distribution.
- Simplifies watershed response.

*7. Kinematic Hydrograph*

- Definition: Represents watershed response using kinematic wave theory.

- Purpose: Used for overland flow and channel routing.
- Characteristics:
- Accounts for flow dynamics.
- Suitable for large watersheds.

*8. Dynamic Hydrograph*

- Definition: Represents watershed response using dynamic wave theory.

- Purpose: Used for complex watershed modeling.
- Characteristics:
- Accounts for flow dynamics and storage.
- Suitable for detailed flood modeling.

Each type of storm hydrograph serves a specific purpose, from design and planning to
research and analysis.

Would you like more information on a specific type of storm hydrograph?

Analysis Techniques:

1. Time-to-peak analysis
2. Peak discharge analysis
3. Runoff coefficient calculation
4. Hydrograph separation (base flow and direct runoff)

Analysis techniques for storm hydrographs:

*Time-to-Peak Analysis*

1. Measure time from rainfall onset to peak discharge.

2. Indicates watershed response time.

*Peak Discharge Analysis*

1. Determine maximum runoff rate.

2. Essential for flood prediction and design.

*Runoff Coefficient Calculation*

1. Calculate ratio of runoff to rainfall.
2. Indicates watershed's ability to absorb rainfall.

*Hydrograph Separation*

1. Divide hydrograph into:

- Direct runoff (rapid response)
- Base flow (slow response)
2. Helps identify watershed characteristics.

*Recession Analysis*

1. Study rate of decrease in runoff after peak.

2. Indicates watershed's drainage characteristics.

*Low Flow Analysis*

1. Examine minimum runoff rates.

2. Essential for water supply and ecosystem assessment.

*Frequency Analysis*

1. Study probability of extreme events (floods/droughts).

2. Helps design infrastructure and management strategies.

*Statistical Methods*

1. Regression analysis
2. Correlation analysis
3. Time series analysis

*Graphical Methods*

1. Hydrograph plotting
2. Mass curve analysis
3. Flow duration curves
*Numerical Models*

1. Hydrologic modeling (e.g., HEC-HMS)

2. Hydraulic modeling (e.g., SWMM)
3. Watershed modeling (e.g., SWAT)

*GIS and Remote Sensing*

1. Spatial analysis of watershed characteristics

2. Integration with hydrologic models

*Machine Learning and AI*

1. Predictive modeling of storm hydrographs

2. Real-time flood forecasting

These analysis techniques help understand storm hydrographs, improve flood prediction,
and inform water resources management decisions.

Factors Influencing Storm Hydrographs:

1. Rainfall intensity and duration

2. Watershed size and slope
3. Land use and land cover
4. Soil type and moisture
5. Drainage network and storage

Applications:

1. Urban drainage design

2. Floodplain management
3. Water supply forecasting
4. Hydroelectric power generation
5. Ecosystem assessment

Software Tools:

1. HEC-HMS (Hydrologic Modeling System)

2. SWMM (Storm Water Management Model)
3. ArcGIS (Geographic Information System)
4. MATLAB (Programming language)
5. R (Programming language)

Floods

Floods:

*Definition:* Temporary overflow of water that submerges land and affects human
settlements, ecosystems, and infrastructure.

*Types:*

1. Flash floods: Rapid onset, usually caused by heavy rainfall.

2. River floods: Overflow from rivers, often due to heavy rainfall or snowmelt.
3. Coastal floods: Caused by storm surges, tsunamis, or sea level rise.
4. Urban floods: Resulting from urbanization, poor drainage, and heavy rainfall.
5. Ice jam floods: Caused by ice blockages in rivers.

*Causes:*

1. Heavy rainfall
2. Snowmelt
3. Storm surges
4. Tidal waves
5. Dam failures
6. Urbanization
7. Land use changes
8. Climate change

*Effects:*

1. Property damage
2. Loss of life
3. Displacement
4. Infrastructure disruption
5. Waterborne diseases
6. Economic losses
7. Environmental degradation
*Flood Management Strategies:*

1. Floodplain management
2. Levees and dams
3. Flood-control reservoirs
4. Wetland restoration
5. Green infrastructure
6. Early warning systems
7. Evacuation plans
8. Flood-resistant construction

*Flood Forecasting:*

1. Rainfall-runoff models
2. Hydrologic modeling
3. Hydraulic modeling
4. Satellite imaging
5. Radar technology
6. Weather forecasting

*Flood Safety Tips:*

1. Stay informed
2. Have a plan
3. Evacuate when ordered
4. Avoid flooded areas
5. Keep essential items ready
6. Stay away from power lines
7. Follow evacuation routes

*Notable Floods:*

1. 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

2. 2010 Pakistan Floods
3. 2011 Thailand Floods
4. 2013 Colorado Floods (USA)
5. 2017 Hurricane Harvey (USA)

Flood Mitigation and Avoidance:

*Flood Mitigation Strategies:*

1. Floodplain management: Regulate development in flood-prone areas.

2. Levees and dams: Control floodwaters.
3. Flood-control reservoirs: Store excess water.
4. Wetland restoration: Enhance natural flood buffers.
5. Green infrastructure: Use vegetation, parks, and green roofs.
6. Stormwater management: Reduce urban runoff.
7. Early warning systems: Alert people before flooding.
8. Flood-resistant construction: Design buildings to withstand flooding.

*Flood Avoidance Measures:*

1. Relocation: Move to higher ground or safer areas.

2. Elevation: Raise buildings or infrastructure.
3. Flood-proofing: Seal buildings to prevent water entry.
4. Flood-control barriers: Protect individual properties.
5. Land use planning: Avoid development in flood-prone areas.
6. Watershed management: Reduce runoff through conservation.
7. Flood-diversion channels: Redirect floodwaters.

*Non-Structural Mitigation Measures:*

1. Flood mapping: Identify flood-prone areas.

2. Flood insurance: Financial protection.
3. Emergency preparedness: Evacuation plans, supplies.
4. Public education: Raise awareness.
5. Zoning regulations: Restrict development.

*Structural Mitigation Measures:*

1. Seawalls: Protect coastal areas.

2. Dunes restoration: Enhance natural barriers.
3. Flood gates: Control water flow.
4. Pumping stations: Remove floodwaters.
5. Retaining walls: Support flood-prone areas.

*Technological Innovations:*
1. Flood sensors: Real-time monitoring.
2. AI-powered forecasting: Improve prediction accuracy.
3. Smart levees: Monitor water levels.
4. Mobile barriers: Deployable flood protection.

*Economic Benefits:*

1. Reduced damage costs.

2. Lower insurance premiums.
3. Increased property values.
4. Job creation in flood mitigation industries.

*Environmental Benefits:*

1. Preserved natural habitats.

2. Reduced sedimentation.
3. Enhanced water quality.
4. Protected biodiversity.

*Social Benefits:*

1. Improved public safety.

2. Reduced displacement.
3. Enhanced community resilience.
4. Reduced stress and trauma.

Compiled by Reuel