Formula Used:
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Observed Runoff Volume is the recorded quantity of water that would have flowed in a river past a particular point in a particular period. It represents the actual measured flow at a terminal gauging station.
The calculator uses the water balance equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation accounts for the water balance where the observed runoff equals the catchment yield minus abstractions and changes in storage volumes.
Details: Accurate runoff calculation is crucial for water resource management, flood forecasting, irrigation planning, and environmental flow assessments. It helps in understanding the actual water availability at specific points in a river system.
Tips: Enter yield of catchment, abstraction in time, and change in storage volumes in m³/s. All values must be valid numerical values representing the respective water balance components.
Q1: What is the significance of terminal gauging station?
A: Terminal gauging stations provide the final measurement point in a catchment area, giving comprehensive data on the total runoff from the entire watershed.
Q2: How does abstraction affect observed runoff?
A: Abstraction reduces the observed runoff as water is diverted for various uses before reaching the measurement point.
Q3: What does negative change in storage volumes indicate?
A: Negative ΔSv indicates that water is being released from storage, which would increase the observed runoff volume.
Q4: How often should these measurements be taken?
A: Measurements should be taken regularly (daily, weekly, or monthly) depending on the purpose and variability of the hydrological regime.
Q5: What are typical units for these measurements?
A: While m³/s is common for flow rates, volumes over time periods may use m³/day, m³/month, or other time-based units depending on the application.