Comparison of Time-area and Clark Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph Models Efficiency to Reconstruct Flood Hydrographs at Kasilian Watershed

Estimation of runoff in ungauged catchments has been an important subject for experts in planning of various projects. Focus of this study was on comparison and evaluation of Clark’s model and time- area method in predicting output hydrograph in watersheds with lack of basic data. To this end, the time-area histogram was drawn by ArcGIS and the topographic map. Then, using rain gauge data and time-area method, the output hydrograph was estimated. In the next step, the obtained results were compared with the observed output hydrograph. Afterwards the Clark instantaneous unit hydrograph was also estimated using storage coefficient in order to simulate the unit hydrograph in Kasilian watershed. The storage coefficient was estimated using graphical, Clark, Linsley, Mitchell, Johnstone-Cross, Eaton, Hoyt-Langbein, Nash, Carter, Morgan-Johnson and Bell methods. Results were compared using quantitative statistics of root mean square of error, bias in peak discharge, coefficient of efficiency, and relative errors in peak discharge, time to peak and base time. The comparison of results showed that graphical method has had the highest accuracy in estimation of storage coefficient. Also The comparison of results showed that the Clark’s model had a good efficiency rather than time-area method and this showed effect of storage coefficient in flood routing in Kasilian watershed. So this method can be used with more accuracy to estimate output hydrograph in watershed with lack of basic data.