Kinematic study of effects of storm dynamics on runoff hydrographs

Hydrologists frequently employ simplifying assumptions when using so called storms for estimating runoff. In particular, uniform rainfall rates are often assumed as well as a uniform spatial distribution and a stationary storm. In this paper attention is brought to the variability of real rainfall rate in time and space, and to the movement of storms. The kinematic equations are employed to simulate the effect of these variables on runoff from a simple catchment. Generalized graphs indicating the effect of each variable on the peak runoff are included as well as guides to the selection of design storms to account for the storm dynamics and distribution.