ESTIMATING PEAK RUNOFF RATES FROM UNGAGED SMALL RURAL WATERSHEDS

A problem that continues to plague highway agencies is that of selecting optimum culvert sizes for waterways based on (1) estimates of the magnitude and frequency of peak flows from small rural watersheds (less than 25 square miles), (2) the relative cost of facilities necessary to accommodate the estimated flows, and (3) the possible effects of flows in excess of the estimates used for design purposes. Although this report does not resolve the problem, it does provide valuable insight into the difficulties associated with attempts to develop improved methods for estimating peak runoff rates of various return periods for small ungaged rural watersheds throughout the United States. It should be of considerable practical value to agencies that lack well- developed local or regional methods for predicting flood flows and frequencies. Hydrologists and researchers working in this problem area undoubtedly will find the report of interest and value.

• Corporate Authors:

  Highway Research Board

  2101 Constitution Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC    20418
• Authors:
  • Bock, P
  • Enger, I
  • Malhotra, G P
  • Chisholm, D A
• Publication Date: 1972

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: 85 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Culverts; Drainage; Runoff; Watersheds
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00043603
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: NCHRP Report 136
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jun 1 1974 12:00AM