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A history of the concept of time of concentration

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A history of the concept of time of concentration. / Beven, K.J.
In: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, Vol. 24, No. 5, 25.05.2020, p. 2655-2670.

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Beven, KJ 2020, 'A history of the concept of time of concentration', Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, vol. 24, no. 5, pp. 2655-2670. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-2655-2020

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Vancouver

Beven KJ. A history of the concept of time of concentration. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 2020 May 25;24(5):2655-2670. doi: 10.5194/hess-24-2655-2020

Author

Beven, K.J. / A history of the concept of time of concentration. In: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 2020 ; Vol. 24, No. 5. pp. 2655-2670.

Bibtex

@article{25734c3629744e218143aa66daa11d38,
title = "A history of the concept of time of concentration",
abstract = "The concept of time of concentration in the analysis of catchment responses dates back over 150 years to the introduction of the rational method. Since then it has been used in a variety of ways in the formulation of both unit hydrograph and distributed catchment models. It is normally discussed in terms of the velocity of flow of a water particle from the furthest part of a catchment to the outlet. This is also the basis for the definition in the International Glossary of Hydrology. While conceptually simple, this definition is, however, wrong when applied to catchment responses where, in terms of how surface and subsurface flows produce hydrographs, it is more correct to discuss and teach the concept based on celerities and time to equilibrium. While this has been recognized since the 1960s, some recent papers and texts remain confused over the definition and use of the time of concentration concept. The paper sets out the history of its use and clarifies its relationship with time to equilibrium but suggests that both terms are not really useful in explaining hydrological responses. An Appendix is included that quantifies the differences between the definitions of response times for subsurface and surface flows under simple assumptions that might be useful in teaching. {\textcopyright} Author(s) 2020.",
keywords = "Runoff, Catchment models, Catchment response, Hydrological response, Rational methods, Surface and subsurface flow, Time of concentrations, Unit hydrograph, Water particles, Catchments",
author = "K.J. Beven",
year = "2020",
month = may,
day = "25",
doi = "10.5194/hess-24-2655-2020",
language = "English",
volume = "24",
pages = "2655--2670",
journal = "Hydrology and Earth System Sciences",
issn = "1027-5606",
publisher = "Copernicus Gesellschaft mbH",
number = "5",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - A history of the concept of time of concentration

AU - Beven, K.J.

PY - 2020/5/25

Y1 - 2020/5/25

N2 - The concept of time of concentration in the analysis of catchment responses dates back over 150 years to the introduction of the rational method. Since then it has been used in a variety of ways in the formulation of both unit hydrograph and distributed catchment models. It is normally discussed in terms of the velocity of flow of a water particle from the furthest part of a catchment to the outlet. This is also the basis for the definition in the International Glossary of Hydrology. While conceptually simple, this definition is, however, wrong when applied to catchment responses where, in terms of how surface and subsurface flows produce hydrographs, it is more correct to discuss and teach the concept based on celerities and time to equilibrium. While this has been recognized since the 1960s, some recent papers and texts remain confused over the definition and use of the time of concentration concept. The paper sets out the history of its use and clarifies its relationship with time to equilibrium but suggests that both terms are not really useful in explaining hydrological responses. An Appendix is included that quantifies the differences between the definitions of response times for subsurface and surface flows under simple assumptions that might be useful in teaching. © Author(s) 2020.

AB - The concept of time of concentration in the analysis of catchment responses dates back over 150 years to the introduction of the rational method. Since then it has been used in a variety of ways in the formulation of both unit hydrograph and distributed catchment models. It is normally discussed in terms of the velocity of flow of a water particle from the furthest part of a catchment to the outlet. This is also the basis for the definition in the International Glossary of Hydrology. While conceptually simple, this definition is, however, wrong when applied to catchment responses where, in terms of how surface and subsurface flows produce hydrographs, it is more correct to discuss and teach the concept based on celerities and time to equilibrium. While this has been recognized since the 1960s, some recent papers and texts remain confused over the definition and use of the time of concentration concept. The paper sets out the history of its use and clarifies its relationship with time to equilibrium but suggests that both terms are not really useful in explaining hydrological responses. An Appendix is included that quantifies the differences between the definitions of response times for subsurface and surface flows under simple assumptions that might be useful in teaching. © Author(s) 2020.

KW - Runoff

KW - Catchment models

KW - Catchment response

KW - Hydrological response

KW - Rational methods

KW - Surface and subsurface flow

KW - Time of concentrations

KW - Unit hydrograph

KW - Water particles

KW - Catchments

U2 - 10.5194/hess-24-2655-2020

DO - 10.5194/hess-24-2655-2020

M3 - Journal article

VL - 24

SP - 2655

EP - 2670

JO - Hydrology and Earth System Sciences

JF - Hydrology and Earth System Sciences

SN - 1027-5606

IS - 5

ER -