An Approach to Determinate Stream Flow

Abstract
In a paper on the determination of stream flow from rainfall records, LeRoy K. Sherman, M. Am. Soc. C. E. undertook, through the summation of daily increments of run-off, not only to establish the maximum flow resulting from a recorded rainfall, but to produce the stream hydrograph, a process that to a remarkable degree parallels the phenomenon of stream flow produced from storm run-off. The results of a study, the outgrowth of an interest in Mr. Sherman's paper, is presented herewith. It treats of other aspects of the problem and offers a procedure that is believed to be an approach to determinate stream flow. The transition from rainfall to stream flow is accomplished through the medium of a “distribution graph,” which is found to be a function of water-shed characteristics. The possibility of developing the distribution graph without resorting to the stream-flow records is shown. The “pluviagraph,” or maximum hydrograph, is discussed, and its value to design in the field of hydraulic engineering is demonstrated. The study utilizes s ix water-sheds of from 500 to 6 000 sq miles and embraces practically the entire State of Ohio. These water-sheds were selected from the unregulated streams served by the United States Geological Survey, and represent an acceptable range in area and water-shed characteristics. Only such illustrations are included as are necessary to demonstrate the points raised in the paper. A complete copy of the original paper, with all data and drawings, is filed for reference in Engineering Societies Library, New York, N. Y.

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