Premium
Sensitivity of SCS Models to Curve Number Variation 1
Author(s) -
Bondelid Timothy R.,
McCuen Richard H.,
Jackson Thomas J.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1982.tb04536.x
Subject(s) - runoff curve number , antecedent moisture , sensitivity (control systems) , surface runoff , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , storm , hydrological modelling , water content , soil science , runoff model , soil conservation , mathematics , meteorology , geology , climatology , geotechnical engineering , geography , engineering , ecology , electronic engineering , biology , archaeology , agriculture
The Soil Conservation Service (SCS) models, including the TR‐20 computer program and the simplified methods in TR‐55, are widely used in hydrologic design. The runoff curve number (CN), which is an important input parameter to SCS models, is defined in terms of land use tretments, hydrologic, condition, antecedent soil moisture, and soil type. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of the SCS models to errors in CN estimates. The results show that the effects of CN variation decrease as the design rainfall depth increases, such as for the larger storm events. The value and use of the sensitivity curves are demonstrated using a comparison of Landsat and conventionally derived curve numbers for three watersheds in Pennsylvania.