CN-China: Revised runoff curve number by using rainfall-runoff events data in China
Journal
Water Research
Journal Volume
177
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Huishu Lian et al.
Abstract
The curve number (CN) method developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1954 is the most common adopted method to estimate surface runoff. For years, applicability of the CN method is a conundrum when implementing to other countries. Specifically, countries with more complex natural environment may require more dedicated adjustments. Therefore, the current CN look-up table provided by USDA might not be appropriate and could be questionable to be applied directly to regions elsewhere. Some studies have been conducted to modify CN values according to specified natural characteristics in scattered regions of mainland China. However, an integral and representative work is still not available to address potential concerns in general matters. In this study, a large set of rainfall-runoff monitoring data were collected to adjust CN values in 55 study sites across China. The results showed that the revised CN values are largely different from CN look-up table provided by USDA, which would lead to huge errors in runoff estimation. In this study, the revised CN (dubbed CN-China) provides better reference guidelines that are suitable for most natural conditions in China. In addition, scientists and engineers from other parts of the world can take advantage of the proposed work to enhance the quality of future programs related to surface runoff estimation. ? 2020 Elsevier Ltd
Subjects
Agricultural robots; Agriculture; Rain; Table lookup; Natural conditions; Natural environments; Rainfall runoff; Rainfall-runoff events; Runoff curve numbers; Runoff estimation; Scientists and engineers; United states department of agricultures; Agricultural runoff; rain; data set; estimation method; rainfall-runoff modeling; Article; catchment area (hydrology); China; curve number method; government; plots and curves; priority journal; runoff model (hydrology); surface runoff; China; environmental monitoring; water flow; China; China; Environmental Monitoring; Rain; Water Movements
Type
journal article