1. Storm Hydrograph Tutorial
A resource based on an original by David Cuthbertson.

2. Storm Hydrographs
Storm hydrographs are used to measure a river’s flow and show the change in river discharge over a short period of time after a storm.

3. Learning Objectives To be able to analyse a storm hydrograph
To understand the factors that may affect the shape of a storm hydrograph

4. Hydrograph River Discharge Storm Hydrographs = cross sectional area X
Record of River Discharge over a period of time
River Discharge
= cross sectional area
rivers mean (average) velocity X
(at a particular point in its course)
Storm Hydrographs
Show the change in discharge caused by a period of rainfall

5. Flood Hydrograph 3 2 Discharge (m3/s) 1 0 12 24 36 48 30 72
Basin lag time
Flood
Hydrograph
Peak flow 3
Rising limb
Overland flow
Recession limb 2 mm
Discharge (m3/s) 4
Through flow 1 3 2
Base flow
Hours from start of rain storm

6. 3 2 1
Discharge (m3/s)
Hours from start of rain storm

7. Rainfall shown in mm, as a bar graph3 2 mm
Discharge (m3/s) 4 1 3 2
Hours from start of rain storm 7

8. Discharge in m3/s, as a line graph2 mm
Discharge (m3/s) 4 1 3 2
Hours from start of rain storm 8

9. The rising flood water in the river
Rising limb
The rising flood water in the river 3
Rising limb 2 mm
Discharge (m3/s) 4 1 3 2
Hours from start of rain storm 9

10. Maximum discharge in the river
Peak flow
Peak flow 3
Maximum discharge in the river
Rising limb 2 mm
Discharge (m3/s) 4 1 3 2
Hours from start of rain storm 10

11. Falling flood water in the river
Peak flow
Recession limb 3
Falling flood water in the river
Rising limb
Recession limb 2 mm
Discharge (m3/s) 4 1 3 2
Hours from start of rain storm 11

12. Basin lag time
Peak flow
Basin lag time 3
Time difference between the peak of the rain storm and the peak flow of the river
Rising limb
Recession limb 2 mm
Discharge (m3/s) 4 1 3 2
Hours from start of rain storm 12

13. Normal discharge of the river
Basin lag time
Peak flow
Base flow 3
Normal discharge of the river
Rising limb
Recession limb 2 mm
Discharge (m3/s) 4 1 3 2
Base flow
Hours from start of rain storm 13

14. Storm hydrographs show how a river’s discharge changes after a storm.
Depending on a number of factors, the hydrograph can change considerably in shape.

16. Worksheet
Now you have been through the formation of a flood hydrograph, use your new knowledge to fill in your sheet.

17. There are several different factors which may affect the shape of a hydrograph. These are listed in the table below. Copy the table below and fill in the blanks.
FACTOR
STEEPER
GENTLER
1. Total Rainfall
High
2. Intensity of Rain
High (runs off)
3. Wetness of Ground
Saturated (runs off)
4. Rock Type
Impermeable (runs off)
5. Ground Cover
Bare Soil (runs off)
6. Slope Angle
Steep (runs quickly)

18. Re-cap