A model to define hydrologic response units based on characteristics of the soil-vegetative complex within a drainage basin

A procedure was developed to subdivide a drainage area into units that respond similarly. These were defined hydrologic response units and were a funtion of soil texture, soil depth, land use, and hydrology group classification. A computer model was developed to generate excess precipitation for each hydrologic response unit based on the Mein and Larson and Holtan infiltration equations. Data for several major storms from a natural watershed, located in Virginia, was used to evaluate the technique. The results showed significant variability between response units reaffirming the need to consider the vegetative-soil characteristics separately. Sensitivity analyses were made to evaluate variations in soil texture, depth of A horizon, soil hydrology group classification, and land use relative to excess precipitation estimates. Interactions were not studied. Advantages of this system compared to a lumped-parameter model were discussed. The most important advantage, particularly for the planner, is that spatial uniqueness is maintained for all response units.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1975

Author dc:creator

• Li, Elizabeth Ann

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/109866

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/109866