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Total rainfall, net runoff, W-index of 120-min storm

Short answer

Total rainfall = 17.0 mm, net runoff = 11.67 mm, W-index = 2.9 mm/h. Rain depths per 20 min were computed; excess over φ = 2.5 mm/h summed, initial loss 0.5 mm subtracted, and W-index found using time when rain exceeded φ.

In a 120 minute storm the rates of rainfall observed in successive 20 minute intervals are 5, 8, 15, 12, 9 and 2 mm/hr. Assuming the ϕ\phi-index value as 2.5 mm/hr and an initial loss of 0.5 mm, determine the total rainfall, net runoff and W-index of the storm.

Each interval is 20 min = 1/3 h, so rain depth = rate /3/3.

IntervalRate (mm/h)Rain (mm)Excess over ϕ=2.5\phi = 2.5 (mm/h)Excess depth (mm)
151.6672.50.833
282.6675.51.833
3155.00012.54.167
4124.0009.53.167
593.0006.52.167
620.6670 (below ϕ\phi)0

Total rainfall

P=5+8+15+12+9+23=513=17.0 mmP = \frac{5+8+15+12+9+2}{3} = \frac{51}{3} = 17.0\ \text{mm}

Net runoff

Excess rainfall above ϕ\phi =0.833+1.833+4.167+3.167+2.167=12.167= 0.833+1.833+4.167+3.167+2.167 = 12.167 mm. The initial loss (0.5 mm) is taken from the start of the storm, so:

R=12.167−0.5=11.67 mmR = 12.167 - 0.5 = 11.67\ \text{mm}

W-index

The W-index is the average infiltration rate during the time tt when the rain intensity exceeds the infiltration capacity. The rain rate is above ϕ=2.5\phi = 2.5 mm/h only in the first five intervals, so

t=5×20=100 min=1.667 ht = 5\times20 = 100\ \text{min} = 1.667\ \text{h} W=P−R−Iat=17.0−11.67−0.51.667=2.90 mm/hW = \frac{P - R - I_a}{t} = \frac{17.0 - 11.67 - 0.5}{1.667} = 2.90\ \text{mm/h}

The last interval (rain 2 mm/h, less than ϕ\phi) is not counted in tt.

Answer: Total rainfall = 17.0 mm; net runoff = 11.67 mm; W-index = 2.9 mm/h.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5

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