1. What is the Catchment Area for Hydrograph Analysis?

Catchment Area for Hydrograph Analysis refers to an area of land where all water flows to a single stream, river, lake or even ocean. It is a fundamental concept in hydrology for understanding water flow patterns and managing water resources.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( AHA \) — Catchment Area for Hydrograph Analysis (m²)
• \( \Sigma O \) — Sum of Ordinates (m³/s)
• \( \Delta t \) — Time Interval (seconds)
• \( S_r \) — Surface Runoff (m³/s)

Explanation: This formula calculates the catchment area based on the hydrograph analysis, considering the sum of ordinates, time interval, and surface runoff.

3. Importance of Catchment Area Calculation

Details: Accurate catchment area calculation is crucial for flood prediction, water resource management, environmental planning, and infrastructure design. It helps in understanding the water balance and flow characteristics of a watershed.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the sum of ordinates in m³/s, time interval in seconds, and surface runoff in m³/s. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a hydrograph in hydrology?
A: A hydrograph is a graph showing the rate of flow (discharge) versus time past a specific point in a river, channel, or conduit carrying flow.

Q2: Why is the constant 0.36 used in the formula?
A: The constant 0.36 is a conversion factor that accounts for unit conversions between different measurement systems used in hydrological calculations.

Q3: What factors affect surface runoff?
A: Surface runoff is affected by rainfall intensity, soil type, land slope, vegetation cover, and land use patterns.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation method?
A: The accuracy depends on the precision of input data and how well the watershed characteristics match the assumptions of the hydrograph analysis method.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for large watersheds?
A: Yes, this calculation method can be applied to watersheds of various sizes, though additional factors may need consideration for very large or complex watersheds.