Computer Simulation of Urban Runoff Characteristics Within Salt Lake County

• Main Author: Parnell, Robert Newman
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@USU 1971
• Subjects: computer; simulation; runoff; characteristics; salt; lake; county; Civil Engineering
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/3021; https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4015&context=etd

A hybrid computer program is developed to simulate the outflow hydrographs of two urban watersheds located within Salt Lake County, Utah. The gaged outflow of the watersheds provided a checkpoint for comparing the observed and the simulated final outflow hydrographs. The outflow hydrographs for each subzone of the two watersheds were obtained by abstracting interception, infiltration and depression storage from each subzone hyetograph. The outflow of the subzones were routed to the Jordan River, the final outflow point of the two watersheds. The final hydrographs of the watersheds were combined and compared with the gaged flow. The uniquenesses of this systems model are the flexibility in varying hyetographs, variable loss rates, combination of subzone hydrographs, and the combination of watershed hydrographs. Subzone hydrographs can also be plotted for visual inspection as well as obtaining numerical values. With a variety of input and output data, designers and planners can visually perceive urban runoff characteristics. The systems model should be a tool used by those interested in urban runoff characteristics.