Formula Used:
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The Duration of Rainfall Given Interception Loss formula calculates the time duration of rainfall based on interception loss, interception storage, vegetal surface ratio, and evaporation rate. It helps in understanding the temporal distribution of rainfall events and their interaction with vegetation cover.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates rainfall duration by considering the net interception loss (interception loss minus storage) divided by the product of vegetal surface ratio and evaporation rate.
Details: Accurate calculation of rainfall duration is crucial for hydrological modeling, watershed management, and understanding the water balance in vegetated areas. It helps in predicting runoff, infiltration, and evaporation processes.
Tips: Enter all values in appropriate units. Interception Loss and Storage should be in millimeters, Ratio is dimensionless, and Evaporation Rate in mm/hour. All values must be positive, with Ratio and Evaporation Rate greater than zero.
Q1: What is interception loss in hydrology?
A: Interception loss is the portion of precipitation that is caught by vegetation and either evaporates back to the atmosphere or is absorbed by the plants, never reaching the ground surface.
Q2: How does vegetation affect rainfall interception?
A: Vegetation with larger surface areas (higher Ki values) can intercept more rainfall, leading to greater interception losses and reduced direct rainfall reaching the ground.
Q3: What factors influence evaporation rate in this calculation?
A: Evaporation rate depends on temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. Higher evaporation rates typically result in shorter calculated rainfall durations.
Q4: Can this formula be used for all types of vegetation?
A: The formula is generally applicable but may need calibration for specific vegetation types, as different plants have varying interception capacities and surface characteristics.
Q5: What are typical values for the vegetal surface ratio?
A: Ki values typically range from 1-5 for most vegetation types, with higher values indicating denser foliage and greater surface area for interception.