An Analytic Model for Runoff and Runoff Temperature from a Paved Surface

Abstract

Existing simplified runoff models such as SCS synthetic hydrographs give some ability to predict surface runoff, but are generally developed for larger watersheds, and do not necessarily represent the actual variation in flow rate with varying precipitation rate. For the purposes of simulating runoff rate and runoff temperature from small parcels of land, a new runoff model was developed based on Manning’s equation. The runoff model is analytical and spatially integrated (zero-dimensional), in that flow depth, flow rate and runoff temperature are computed at one point, the outlet. By taking into account expected variations in the upstream flow depth, the model closely matches the simulations results of a 1D kinematic wave model. The analytic runoff model was coupled to a 1D soil temperature and moisture model, to enable simulation of infiltration, runoff rate and runoff temperature.