A Generalization of Clark's IUH for Flatland Areas with Strong Human Intervention

ZIMMERMANN, ERIK DANIEL

Journal Of Environmental Hydrology

Journal of Environmental Hydrology

Lugar: Texas. USA.; Año: 2002 vol. 11 p. 1 - 14

1058-3912

We present an improvement of Clark?s Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph (IUH), which we call the ?GAIUH?, linking hydrological parameters and geomorphologic characteristics of flatland basins with strong human interventions. Partition of the effects caused by the direct runoff routing and attenuation due to natural hydrographic networks and structures like culverts are taken into account. A one parameter time area concentration curve as a function of concentration time of the basin is proposed for runoff routing. Two linear reservoirs are considered for attenuation effects. The linear storage coefficient for the culvert reservoir is obtained as a function of geomorphologic features of the reservoir, and hydraulic parameters of the culvert and inflow hydrograph. The proposed GAIUH model was applied to two hydrological systems of the flatland region in Argentina. Simulated and measured stream flow data are compared for a group of storms presenting a good correlation. The GAIUH model has given better results than other mathematical models applied to the hydrological systems.