WMS:Orange County Rational Method

WMS includes an interface to the Orange County Rational Method which can be used for computing peak flows on small, mostly urban watersheds. The interface includes the capability to combine runoff from multiple basins.

Use the Orange County rational method to determine runoff rates for watersheds with an area less than or equal to 1 square mile (640 acres) or to estimate time of concentration (Tc) for an Orange County unit hydrograph analysis for any size watershed. Infiltration is accounted for in the losses rather than just using the standard runoff coefficient (based on percent impervious) in the rational equation. Complex reach routing is also factored into the determination of Tc.

Tc is determined at a concentration point by determining the combination of sub-area Tc and routing travel time that produce maximum flow. Given a time of concentration for the outlet, a rainfall intensity can be determined from a rainfall-intensity-duration curve and a peak flow computed.

All of the computations for peak flows and routing are done within WMS.

Run Simulation

Once all relevant data has been recorded and entered into a Orange County analysis, a rational method can be run. Choosing the Run Simulation command in the OC Rational menu will run a Orange County Rational analysis.

Saving a Simulation

The Save Simulation command in the OC Rational menu can be used to save the topologic tree structure with any parameters which have been defined. The Read Simulation command will restore the tree and parameters to continue with a particular model.

Post Processing

View results of an Orange County rational method analysis at any time using the Display Results command in the OC Rational menu. The time of concentration (Tc) for any concentration point can be used as input for an Orange County unit hydrograph analysis.

Reports

[File:OC RationalResults.png|thumb|250 px|The OC Rational Results dialog]] Input and output values of an Orange County rational method analysis are displayed in a spreadsheet after running a simulation. View this report at any time after running a simulation using the Display Results command in the OC Rational menu. Final results are displayed for each concentration point and, if necessary, the confluence table details are shown afterwards in yellow. It is easy export the data in the report using the Print button or by highlighting the desired data and using Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V. Time of concentration (Tc) values from this report may be used as input for an Orange County unit hydrograph analysis.

Related Topics

• Orange County Hydrology
• Orange County Rational Job Control
• Reach Routing
• Sub-Area Data
• Orange County Rational Equation
• Unit Hydrograph Method