Evaluation of SCS Method in Derivation of Initial Abstraction of Precipitation in Watershed Scale

The main scope of this research is evaluation of Soil Conservation Service Procedure in derivation of initial abstraction of precipitation in watershed scale. For this purpose Dalaki watershed which is located in south east of Iran was selected then by using hec-hms and GIS models and a number of observed rainfall runoff events some parameters like CN of watershed, K and X of Muskingam method and initial abstraction of precipitation were calibrated through two different search algorithm of univariate and Nelder & Mead methods. The early results of this research indicated the superiority of Univariate search algorithm over the Nelder&Mead method both in calibration and also validation processes. Then using calibrated CN and Initial abstraction parameters which were derived through Univariate search algorithm, the factor between initial abstraction and potential retention of surface runoff (S) in each of sub basins were estimated. 0.13, 0.43 and 0.19 were derived as the above mentioned factor respectively for Minimum, Maximum and mean of the above mentioned factor in this step of the research which showed an acceptable compatibility to the offered factor of 0.2 by SCS. Then in rainfall runoff modeling process of this watershed SCS offers a reliable method of initial abstraction estimation.