Synthetic Unit Hydrograph
Unit hydrographs derived from such relationships are known as synthetic
unit hydrograph.
Snyder’s Method
The first of the Snyder’s equation relates the basin lag tp, defined as the
time interval from the mid-point of the unit rainfall excess to the peak of
the unit hydrograph (Fig. 6.18), to the basin characteristics as
Where tp is in hour
L = basin length measured along the water course from the basin divide to the
gauging station in km
Lca = distance along the main water course from the gauging station to a point
opposite the watershed centroid in km
Ct = a regional constant representing watershed slope and storage
The value of Ct in Synder’s study ranged from 1.35 to 1.65. However, studies by
many investigators have shown that Ct depends upon the region under study
and wide variations with the value of Ct ranging from 0.3 to 6.0 have been
reported.
Snyder adopted a standard duration tr hours of effective rainfall given by
tr = tp/5.5
the peak discharge Qps (m3/s) of a unit hydrograph of standard duration tr h is
given by snyder as
Qps = (2.78 Cp A)/ tp
Where A = catchment area in Km2 and
Cp = a regional constant
If a non – standard rainfall duration tr h is adopted
t’p = tp + (tR – tr) / 4
= 21/22 tp + tR / 4
Where t’p = basin lag in hours for an effective duration of tR h and tp
peak discharge for a nonstandard ER of duration tR is in m3/s
Qp = (2.78 Cp A) / t’p
Note that when tR = tr
Qp = Qps
The time basin of a unit hydrograph given by snyder as
tb = 3 + t’p / 8 days
= (72 + 3 t’p) hours
where tb = time basin
Taylor and Schwartz recommended
tb = 5 (t’p + tR/2)
W50 = 5.87/ q1.08
W75 = W50 / 1.75
where W50 = width of unit hydrograph in h at 50% peak discharge
W75 = width of unit hydrograph in h at 75% peak discharge
q = Qp/A = peak discharge per unit catchment area in
m3/s/ Km2
