1. What is the Catchment Area Formula?

The formula calculates the area of catchment based on the peak discharge of a D-h unit hydrograph. It provides an estimation of the geographical area from which water flows into a particular point.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( A \) — Area of Catchment (m²)
• \( Q_{pd} \) — Peak discharge of D-h Unit hydrograph (m³/s)

Explanation: The formula relates the peak discharge to the catchment area through a power relationship with a constant coefficient of 1.79.

3. Importance of Catchment Area Calculation

Details: Accurate catchment area estimation is crucial for hydrological studies, flood prediction, water resource management, and infrastructure planning in watershed areas.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the peak discharge value in cubic meters per second (m³/s). The value must be greater than zero for valid calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a D-h Unit Hydrograph?
A: A D-h Unit Hydrograph represents the direct runoff response of a catchment to a unit depth of excess rainfall occurring uniformly over the catchment during a specified duration.

Q2: What are typical values for peak discharge?
A: Peak discharge values vary significantly based on catchment characteristics, rainfall intensity, and duration. They can range from small values for minor streams to very large values for major river systems.

Q3: When is this formula most applicable?
A: This formula is particularly useful for hydrological modeling and flood forecasting in watershed management and engineering applications.

Q4: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: The formula assumes specific hydrological conditions and may need calibration for different geographical regions or unusual catchment characteristics.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The accuracy depends on the quality of the input data and how well the catchment conditions match the assumptions behind the formula.