CECW Department of the Army EM 1110-2-

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1411

Engineer Washington, DC 20314-1000
Manual 1 March 1965
1110-2-1411

STANDARD PROJECT FLOOD DETERMINATION

Distribution Restriction Statement

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
 D!:PAM'ME:Jfl' 01" THE ARMI
OI'P'IC E OF THE CBIEP' OF EJtJ llt.,......:ti!!RS'It'IKll
WASliiK:iTOR 1 ~ 20315 EN lll0-2-l~U

DCCW 26 March 1952

C1T1l !Qiineer Bulletill Jlo. 52-8 (Revised March 1965)

I. IRTRODUCTIOB

1..01. :REFERENCES.

a.Circular letter No. 4262 (Civil Works No. 65), dated

20 llovember 1946,
subject, Standard Project Flood EetiJaates, wherein
origiD&l 1Datructions concerning the preparation of standard project
tloo1 estillates vere issued.

b. Ordera & RegulationB, paragnph 4208.11 (ReTiaed Mar. 1951)

vbereill the preparation of standard project flood estimates tor certain
classes of proJects 1a directed, and instructions are presented regardi.Dg
the submission of certain estimates for approval of the Chief of EDg1neera
prior to 1Dcorporation in project reports. (See quotation in para 4-o2
herein).

e. EDgineertng Manual, Ci'V'il Works, Part CXIV, Chapter 5,

subject, Flood-Hydrograph AD&l.yaes and Computations.

1..02. PURPOSE AMii SCOPE 0? THIS BU"....LETIN.

a. 'l'hia bulletin reviews briefly principal classes of flood

analyses and estimates involved in the planning and design of flood con-
trol and multiple-purpose projects, v1th the primary objective or ind1cat-
1Di the seneral application and purposes of Standard Project Flood Estimates.
b. Generalized rainfall criteria and recommended procedures
tor the computation of standard project storm rainfall and rainfall-excess
quanti ties for small dra1118f~ basins (classified herein as approximately
1,000 ~uare miles and leas) located east ot 1050 longitude, are presented,
Vitb a concise explaDation of their derivation.

c. Procedures tor derivation of SPS and SPF estimates for

large drainage basins (exceeding approximately 1000 sq.mi.) are diacuaaed
aDd illustrated.

d. This 'bulletin is sub-clivided into tour Sectiona, as tollova:

 I. Introduction
II. Generalized SPS Estiates tor 9m&ll Drai.Dase BuiDs
III. SPS Estillates for Large DraiDae;e Baei.Ds
IV. Projects tor wbich SPF Eat~tes are Required.

1.03. SHX:IFIC.ATIOMS OF A ST.ANDA.RD PR)JEC'l' STOJI.i (Abbrev. "SPS).

a. The "st.m&ad project stoxm" ~oti.Jiate tor a particular

drai.Dage area IUld. seuoz:a ~t year in which sno~1-melt is not a major couider-
atiOD should l'epreaen\. tb~ caost severe flood-producing raintal.l depth-area-
duration relationship anc'! iaoh;yeta.l. pattern ot any atom that is conaidered
reasonably characterL.tt.lc ot tbe region in which the drainage baai.D is lo-
cated, giVing consicle:.."fll.ion to the. nmott cba.racteristics and existence ot
water regulation struc"l.ures in the basin. In d.!ri v1Dg standard proJect
storm raintall estimate• applicable to se~sona and areas 1D which meltiDS
snov may contribute b ~ub~:tan1.1a1 volume of runott to the standard proJect
tlood hydrograph, a·pp:ro,tl"" ~a"e allowance a for snov melt are included Vi tb
8Zld considered &8 a part ot the Hl;&nuard proJecT. atom raiDt'&l.l quantities
in computi.Dg the SPI hydrograph. Where floods are predcminatly the result
ot melting snow, the SPF est:LJD&te is baaed on eetiiD&tes of the BlOat critical
combinations ot snow, tempera't.ure and vater los:Jes considered reasonably
characteristic of the region.

b. 'l'he tena "st.,ni' is used il.l·t. broad sense to IIII!U ay

period or sequence ot rain.tall events that may contribute to critical tlood
events 1n the particular drainage b~in under study.

c. T"ne tem "re61on" aa used aboVP. is constnaed to include tbe

area surrounding the given basb in which atol'ID producing factors are sub-
stantially conrparable; i.e., the general area Within vb1ch meteorological
1Dtluences and topography ~re suttic1en~ly alike to pe~t adjuatment ot
storm data to a ccmmor. bt~.s1s o'l comparison Vi.th practical degree ot
reliability. Such a "regi.>n" includes a very large area 1D the eastern
bal.! ot the United States vhe:-e re~ie! 1.1 ge11erall.y DIDderate, aDd relative~
amal.l areaa in certain sect!ons ot the Wf!stem United States wbere extreme
topography is encountered.

d. A gener£.1. coaaparison ot JIBx:lmum storms ot record 1D the

region, supplemented my me~eor.>lo61cal 1DWs'\;1gationa, serve as a basis 1D
selecting raintall cri~eria ·to repre&ent the most severe atorm that ia con-
•idered "reucmably ch&rac·;e:..·istic" ot a region. Certain storms ot extra-
ordinary aeveri ty may b~ ti!l~nated as too unusual and extreme to warrant
adoption as the atandar~ ~rojdcT. storm.

a. In geuen.l ttt:nDB 1 the a;standard proJect tlood II&Y 'be defined

aa & bydrograph Nprefh:!:lt:.~ :'Ullo'tt trom tl.fi at-mdard proJect stona (ud/or
snov melt) as def'it..::c'A :..~ p~•·w.t;·-·...p~l l-Qj ~. T"ne SPF mA7 have ~Klre than a
single peak 1! the.Jc .a:n:: '\:.he .-esul"' o"l runot:t &"rom the SPS.

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 b. IDtiltration loaaea aaa'UIDI!d ill coarputiD& I"UDDt1' traa tb.e SPS
ahould correspond to thoee considered reaaoDAbly likely to occur duril::lg
at.oraa ot nch MgD.1 tude, estillated on the buia of dat.a obt&ined fl"'CCI the
~ a ot ra1Dt&l.l-I"UDot1' relatiooa 1D -.jor tlooda ot record.

c. The same pr1.Dc:iplea referred to lbove ahould be toll.oved 1D

tbe aelection ot UD1 t h1dJ'olrapha 1 1D tlood rout iDs computations, qd ill
other c&lculationa related to the de...elopmeDt ot the SPF hydrocrapha.

d. Appropriate allovaocea should be -.de tor ftriationa 1D

t.be areal dietribution qd sequence ot raint&ll o'ftr the b&eiD ~ t.he
SPS. 'l'he SPS raiDtall estiM.t.e abould be prep&recl 1D auit.able tol"'l to
pe111lit BignitieiUlt n.rlationa 1D areal dietribution, aequeDCe 1 aDd i.llt.euitiea
to be taken into consideration in computinc 1"\mmtt hydrocnpba.

e. In acme eases, particularly vith respect t.o wry larse

drainage baa ina 1 the Standard ProJect Flood hydrogra.ph estimate may 1 ot
necesaity 1 be baaed on a study ot ac:tU&l. hydrographa or atqea ot record,
or on ot.ber procedures not involVing directly a SPS eetillate. In such caaea,
the pDeral. principles and object! vea presented tor the development ot SPF
eat.i.Mt.es trom raint&ll and run-ott criteria should ael"'Y'e u a guide.

t. It. ia apparent from a study ot depth-area-duration dat.a tor

.ajor at.orma, and general consideration ot the relative opportunit.iea tor
drai.Dage baa1Da ot various sizes, shapes and locaticma to be subjected t.o
raintall occurrences ot SPS category, that the .tatiatic&l. probability ot
SPF occurrenc:e would ftrY v:lth size ot clra1D&ge area aad other ~t.eoro­
logical factors. For these, and a m.ber ot other reuoaa that llicht be
llated, it ia not considered teaaible to aaaip ~c1t1c tl'equenc;y eatiatea
to SPF detem1Dat1ona in general.

g. Where only the higheet peak discharge at a SPF h)'drosrapb

is pertiDent to specific project studies, tbe SPP •Y be retened to by
that peak discharge as a matter of convenience.

1.05. STANDARD PIDJECT FlOOD SERim

Practically all detailed studies of uausual storms completed

to date have been limited to durations of 120 hours or leaa. In the dewlop-
ment ot standard project flood criteria tor Tery large drainage baa ina or
those in which reservOirs ael"'Y'e to modulate nmott rates to a substantial
extent, it is necessary to consider runoff resulting tram ratntall over a
substantially longer period thaD 120 houre. In aome cues, runoff' tor a
period of weeks or IDODths prior to the oceunenc:e ot an extraordinarJ
120-hour atom must be taken into account 1D studies relat.ed to specific
proJects. It ie apparent that the COIIIpUtation of hypothetic&l. hydrographs
covering such an extended length ot t1Jile, tolloving procedures involviD&
stol"'l ra1Dtall data &Dd application of the unit h)'drosraph technique, 'WOUld.
be very laborious and subject to IIBDY uncertainties aa to proper basic
aaauzrptiona and criteria. These difficulties can be ci~ed eat1atac:-
tor1ly in moat cases by developi.ng a "at&Ddard proJect tlood aeries" 1D

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which hyd.rographa tor periods antecedent tc and subsequent to a 8tazulard
proJect 8tom ot 120-houre duration are represented by tlovs actually
observed 1D the baaiD, V1th such adjustments as •Y be deemed appropriate
after a seaeral study ot flood and storm characteristics tD tbe resion
involved.

l-o6. BASIC FlOOD ESTIMATFS IN PI.ANNINJ AND DESIGN OF ProJ"EX::TS.

a. General. Flood ma&nitudes ita a particular dr~P.1.Dace buill

are sowmed by cCiDbiD&tiona ot any variable taetore 1 the a>at illlportant
bei.Dg the quantity, intensity, sequence and areal distribution ot precipi-
tation, t.he 1D1'iltration capacity o~ the soil, and natural. aDd artificial
storeae ettects durins tlooda. Campeni'Rting variationa in these several
factors UIN8l.l.y serve to reduce tlood runoff rates aud volwaes to values
tar below those that would result from critical combinations ot auch tactora.
Where relatively lOD@rpriod records of at. ream tlow are available 1 statistical
analyses of the record proVide a valuable means of estimating the magn1 tude
of flood flows that may be expected with frequencies bearing a reasonable
relationship to the period o~ observation. Statistical studies involving
consideration ot flow recorda ot numerous streams tD a region of reasonably
comparable hydrologic and meteorological influences provide more re.l1able
estimates ot maximum flood potentialities and average frequencies of c01'1111011ly
observed tlood mapi tudes than can be obtained tram studies ot 1nd1vidual
station recorda. However, because ot the number aud range ot variation
in independent variables involved and the vide range between tlood magni-
tudes that vould result from optimum combinations ot critical flood-
producing factors as compared vith combinations Be:aerall.y observed, statis-
tical &D&lyses ot actual stream flow recorda seldom, i~ ever1 provide a
reliable indication ot extraordinary tlood potentialities or a specific
draiDage basin. AccordiDgly, in the planning and design ot major engineerinS
proJects tor the regulation ot stream flow, statistical &D&lyaes or stream
flow recorda DIWit be supplemented by hypothetical tlood estimates based
on scientific studies ot principal flood-producing factors individually &Dd
1D various combinations.

b. In accordance vith the preceding discussion, three classes

of basic flood estimates are required in general flood control planning
and design investigations:
(l) Statistical Analyses of Stream Flow Recorda, includins
tlood-trequency estiMtes (p~terably on a regionalized basis) and various
correlations "ot flood characteristics and hydrologic features of the drain-
ase basin. .

(2) Standard Pro ect Flood Abbrev. S Estimates repre-

aeutinl tlood clischargea tbat may e expected tram the most severe combiD&-
tion ot meteorologic and hydrologic conditions that are considered reason-
ably characteristic of the se~grapbical. region involved, exclud.i.Ds extremely
rare combinations.
 ( 3) Maximum Probable (or "MaxiJmDD Possible)" Flood Eatimatea
represent~ tlood discharge tbat -.y be expected tram t~ .,at aewre ca.-
bi.Dation ot critical ~~eteorologic aD4 h)'drolosic conditicme that are rea-
aaD&bl7 poaaible 1ll the region.
c. Statistical. nood Studies of several types have proven use-
fUl 1D enc:tneering 11lveatigations, the Blat prevalent coneiating of flood·
trequeney eatillates. nood-trequenc:y detenaiD&tions are uaed prillar1ly u
a basis tor eatb.tin@; the R&D 8DIIU&l. benetita that •1 be expected trca
tbe control or reduction of floods of nlati-.e~ cc.aon ocCUZ'l'eDce.

d. StaDdard Pro.1ect !'l.ood eet~te ael"fts the tol..l.ov1Ds pr111arJ

purposes:

( l) Jepreaents a "standard" ag&inat which the degree ot

protection ~.naJJy selected tc~ a project may be Judged aDd compared With
protection provided at similar projects 1D ather localities. Tbe SPF
eatimat~ IIIUBt reflect a gener&l1zed &D&l.yaia of flood potentialities 1D
a region, as contrasted to an anal.yais ot flood recorda at tbe specific
locality that may be misleading because of the i.Dadequaeies ot recorda
or &bDol'mBl. sequences ot h74rolostc ewmts during the period. ot atreaa
tlDv observation.

(2) Represent the flood discharge that should be selected

aa the design flood tor the project, or approached aa nearly as practicable
1n consideration of economic or other gowi'DiDg 11111tatiOIUI, vbere sa.e
amall degree of risk caD be accepted but an unU8WLll.y high degree ot pro-
tection is justified by hazards to lite md h1gh property value a Vi thiD
the area to be protected. EatU.tes campleted to date indicate that SPF
flood discharges are general.l7 equal to ItO to 60 percent ot "-x1••
probable" tlooda tor the ame basins.

e. Maximum Probable (or M&x1mum Possible) J'lood estillates are

applicable to projects 'Where consideration is to be given to rtrtual.l.y
complete security against potential tloodft. Applications of such estimate•
are uaual.l7 confiDed to the dete:rm:I.IJation of epillva7 requiremeuts tor
high dams, but 1D unusual eases may eonetitute tbe 4eaip flood tor local
protection works where AD excepticmal.l.y high degree of protection ia
advia&ble and econcmically obtainable.

1·07. DESIGN FLOOD

a. 'l'be texm "design nood" refers to the tlood bydrograph
or peak discharge value ttDally adopted aa the basis tor design ot a
particular project or section thereof atter fUll consideration ba8 been
given to flood characteristics, frequencies, &Dd potentialities, and the
economic and other practical considerations entering into aelection ot
the design discharge criteria. The texm "deaian flood" ia a~a
With "project design tlood" 1 although uae of the latter tem baa been
senera.lly discontinued 1n order to avoid posaible conf'Uaion with the tel'll
"standard project t'lood". For convenience in reference, such te1111.8 aa
"spillway design flood", "levee· design tlood", "chazmel &!sign flood" 1 etc.,
are used where appropriate.

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 b. '!'be tena "deaigD. tl.ood" or "reservoir daaigD tl.ood" ~
be applied to tbe .:>at aevere tlood that a particular reservoir -.y be
capable ot cODtroll.iDs UDder u adopted plan at ope:rat1cm but auch uase
baa little value except 'Where the reservoir ia provided pr1-.r.lly tar
pl'Otect1cm at damage centers near tbe dam. Uaual.ly selection at the tlood
control al.lacation in a reservoir 1a gavemed by c:cmaideration ot tlood
coDtrol ettecta at several locaticma downatre1111, involviDg the &D&l.ysia
ot a m.iber at t1ood aituationa. Accardagl.y, application ot the tem
"design flood" or "reservoir 4eaisn flood" should be l.1mited to tboae
caaee 1D vbich the tem is actually 1Ddicative of the baaia tor a tlood
control storage allocation, .,re detaUed criteria being specified tor
other cases.

l..o8. BELATION OF SPF '.00 DEEmB FLOOD

a. ID the c!eaigD at tlood control projects it would ot couree

be desirable to proVide p;n,tection asainat the II&X11:aum probable flood, it
thie were feasible Within acceptable l1m:l.ta ot coat. Bovever, it ia aeldalll
practicable to provide absolute tload protection by me1Ul8 ot local protec•
tion proJects or reservoirs: - usually the costa are too high, and in many
cases the acquisition ot adequate rights-ot-way for the purpose would
invol'91t 'UDI"!&sonably destn1ction or moditicationa ot properties along the
tloodVay. M a nlle 1 aoaae risk must be accepted 111 tbe selection ot deaign
tlood discharges. A decision aa to bov much risk should be acc:epted 1D
each case ia ot utmost illlportance and should be baaed on earetul consider-
ation ot tlood charac:teriatica and potentialities 1D the basin, the clue
ot area to be protected, aDd economic limitations.
b. 'l'he "&!sign tlood" tor a particular project may be either
greater or leas than the standard project tlood, dependiDg to m important
extent upon economic 1'actora and other practical conaiderationa governiD&
the aelection ot design capacity 1D a apecitic case. However, Mlectiona
should not be governed by estimates ot average annual benetita of a ttmgible
nature alone, nor ahould construction ditticul.ties that may prove trouble-
&0111! but DOt insUl'mOUDtable be alloved to dictate the design tlood selection,
particularly wbere protection ot high cla.as urban or agricultural areas
ill involved. Inttmgible benefits, resulting trom proV1eian ot a high degree
ot security against floods ot a disastrous mae;ni tude , includi.Dg the pro-
tection ot human lite, must be c:onaidered 111 addition to t&Dgible benetits
that may be eatiJDated 1D JIIODetary terms.

c. The Stezadard Project Flood ia 111tended aa a practicable

expression ot tbe degree ot protection that abould be sought as a general
rule 1n the c!esip of flood control vorka tor co•nunitiea vbere protectiOil
ot m.&zl lite D4 \llluwally high-valued property 1• 1Dvolwd. ID&smueh as
SPF esti.Jnatea are to be baaed on generalized studiea or .eteorol.ogic and
hydrologic conditions 1D a region, the SPF estimates provides a basis tor
comparing the degree ot protection provided by tlood control projects in
d.itterent local.itiea, thus promoting a more consiateot policy with respect
to selection or design tlood giviDS a comparable degree ot protection tor
a1m1lar claaaea ot property.

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 II. GERERALIZED BPS ESTIMA1'C) FOR SIW.L DRADIAOE BASIJI3

2-ol. ODDAL

a. The criteria presented 1D this section apply apecitic&lly

to 4rai:Dase areu eut ot 105° longitude AA4 pr1.Jiarily to baa1J18 ·le..
thaD approxillately 1000 •ctuare aile a in area. 'l'be rai:Dfall. cri ter1& an
bu1ned pri.u.rily on aDal.yais ot major atonus ot record t.hat ba~
occurTed in the apri.Dg, a'UIIIIIer &Dd tall aeuollll, duri.Dg Vhich ccmveeti Te
activity ia pl"CCI1llent. 'l'be cr1ter1a.-e not senerall.y applicable to nov
aeuou Vitbout special adjuetmenta. IDaaaru.eb aa recorda 1Adicate that
t.be 110at ae~re (but not neceaaarily the moat frequent) tlooda in dr&1.D.ac•
areas ot leas tbazl a tev tbouaand actuare llilea 1 Vi t.biD the area coTe red
by t.be general.ized charta, uaUAlly result tJUI illteuee rai.D.t&ll du.r1Dg the
DOD•IIDOV aeaaon, the criteria presented hereinafter are coneide~d applic-
able 1D the cazzputation ot SPF estimates tor ~mat 'buina. Where thia
conclusion ia not considered applicable by the nporti.Dg eDgiDeer, dewlop-
ment ot the SPS estimate should be baaed on a epecial study ot tlood
»roductag tactora attecttag the particular baaiD. It 1a &Dticipated that
wc:h exceptiollll Vill apply OD.l.y vbere runoff tram aav melt, Vi th or Vith-
out coincident ~all, ia a maJor tactor 1Ja the produeticm ot UllU.R&l
fioode.

b. Various approaches to the attmdardization ot metboda u4

cr1te:1.a related to the conputation or SPS ADd SPF eatillatea h&~ been
atudied du.ril:le; the past tvo years. Because ot the ~abill ty ot tacton
involved, limitations in buic data, and tb Dature ot the problem,
eert&in arbitrary aaaumpticma ad silllpl1t1cat10IUI ot criteria 'beea have
necessary to C·btaiD results IUitable tor practical use. Although MY
atudardization ot criteria must invol~ certain approxiJDatiOD.II, it bu
been concluded that adoption ot generalized rail:lf'all. criteria aubstut1~
u presented herein ia adVisable tor the purpose ot uaurilag conaiatency
between SPF estimates prepared by various otticea, as well aa to Jdn1•1ze
vork required 1D the preparation ot eatiatea.

c. The developDent ot generalized SPS raiDtall criteria tor

dra~e areas leas than approximatel;y 1000 square aUee 1 . located east ot
l05° longitude, is re~aled sener&l.l7 b;y the explaD&t1on ot plate• ill
the tol.l.oViJ:ag paragraph.

2.02. EXl'IAKATIOB 01' PIATl!S

a. Plate 1. GenenLJ.ized Est1matea, Max·hlftmt Possible Pl"ee1-

P1tat1on. The isohyeta on this chart represent t&;::iimnm probable
24-hour r&iJ:lf'&ll over 200 square miles area, aa estimated b7 the B;rdro-
meteorological Sect1cm ot the U. S. Weather Bureau u4 u:pl.a1Ded 1D lie
Report Mo. 23.

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 b. Plate 2. SPS IDdez Ra1.Dfill. '!'be i.oh,.,-tea oa Plate 2
repreaat the •z1•n awraae depth o~ ra1Dtall 1a 24 houre over 200
square ld.l.ea 4Dr1Jag the RaD4ard proJect ato:na, vhich is equal to approzi-
•te~ Jto to 6o percent ot the •z1•• possible raiDtall :bldicated OD
Plate l, V1th a seDI!T'&l. average ot about 50 percent. Plate 2 vu prep&Nd
by rec!w:illg iaoh,eta em Plate 1 to 50 percent ot orJ.ciD&l ftl.uea 8Dd re-
ahapillg the 1aoh,eta ill certa1D regione by .oc!erate amounts to ccmtom
V1 th npplelleDt&r)" etudiea ot raiDt&l.l. cbarac:ter1at1ce ill thoae regiou
Dv1Dg c!eYelopDent lltudiea a1a1lar charta wre prepared tor Hlected anu
rtmeiDS t1"'0Il lO to 20,000 square llilea IIDd ato:na 4urat1ou trcm 6 to 96
houn. It vu tOUDd that depth-area-c!uration ftl.uea tor these several
charta bore a reaecmabl;y ccmaistent relat1cmah1p to ~uea shown on
PlAte 2• Accord1J:Isly, Plate 2 vas adopted ae the "SPS I.Dclez RaiJI.:t'&ll. •
chart, the use o~ vh1cb is expl..aiDed here1Datter.

c. Plate 3. SPS Index RaiDtall Iaoh~ Ta Actu&l Storm

Values. '!'hi a chart above graphic&lly a ccmpar1aoD tween the selected
SPS Index Raintal.l isohyets and ra1Dtall values recorded 4ur1.Jl& actual
storms in variOWI geographical locat1ona ~or comparable c!urationa and
areae. Data t1"'0Il all. storm studies campleted to elate ( approx, !too) are
ahoVD OD the chart.

d. Plate 4. Ratio o~ Actual Stona Values to SPS IDdez Ra1Dtall.

ID Figure (a) ot Plate 4 tbe raintall. values recorded 1n actual stoma, as
ahovn on Plate 3, are plotted aga1D8t values 1Dd1cate4 by SPS hdex RaiD-
tall isoh)'ets ~or correapoDdi ns geographical locations. !be INIIber o~
actual storm Y&l.ues exceed1J:Ig various percentages ot the SPS hdex RaiD-
tall are shOVIl graphically 1D !'1gure (a) 8Dd the percentaps o~ actual
atom values that equall.ed or exceeded various SPS lDdex !a1Dtall ratios
are 1Ddicated 1D Figure (b). 'l'o demonstrate the Nlative consistency o~
rel..ationahips 1D dit'~erent geographical areas, separate curves are plotted
1D Pigurt! (b) ~or ~our areas, delineated by SPS IDclex Ra1Dhll. isoh,ets u
1Dd1cated on Plate 4., ae well ae ~or the total area east o~ 105° lcmgitude.
It may be observed that on the avereae approxi.lllately 10 percent o~ the
stoma studied to date have equal.l.ed or ~ceeded the SPS hdex Ra.1n:r&ll..
'!'his percent86e Vill o~ course vary as additicmal atom studies are cca-
pleted, but serves to illustrate that the staDdard project atom is not o~
unprecedented magnitude regiODally, althoush it is 4e~~e.l7 ot a Jll&jor
category.

e. Plate 5. 'l'abul.at1on, PrecipitatiOD Dur1.y Major Sto1"118 ot

Record reseed 1D Percent o~ SPS Index Rainfall.. lD prepari.J:J& this
table the geographical ocat1on o~ maximum ratnt during each storm o~
record vaa determined by 2-degree latitude-loDgitude quadraDgles, and the
corre1poDdiag SPS ID4ex Raintall value vas scaled traD Plate 2; the &Yeftle
depths or rai.Df'al.l. over eelected areas 1D various periods ot time were
obt&iDed ~or the Corps o~ EDgineers publications entitled "Stor.m Ra~all
1D the Eaatem United States", and converted to peTCent o~ SPS Index RaiD-
tall, as shovn 1D Plate 5. For study purposes, the data vere tabulated
b~ geographical zones aa deliDeated on Plate 2. Plate 5 includes 105 o~ ~
aore outstanding storms ot the ~ 1Dveettgated 1D detail.

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 r. Plate 6. Qeneftlized Depth•Are&..Curt"88 1 24-Rour RainteJ.l.
Cona1der1ng all atorma tabulated in Plate 5, the 24-bour values ot Icdex
Rainta.U Ratios (i.e. Percent ot Index Raintall) were &rr'U6ed 1D order or
A1m1p1ah1Dg maguitude tor each ot the areu 4ea1gDated 1n the column head-
iDS• or Plate 5. Tbe DUIDber ot Index R&in.:t'all Ratios exeee41J::ag vartoue val.uea
vaa detenai.Ded ~md converted to percent ot the total D'UIIber of atonu at.u41ea
(approx. !too). The curTe on Plate 6 dedcnated u "M&xiwn ObHr¥ed" vaa
o"btai.Ded by plottillg the higbeat value or lDdex ltaiJd&ll 8at1o ror each
area aDd draViDS a smooth cune to envelope the plotted points. The aet of
curve• mmiber lE, 5E, and lOE vas obtail:led by plottilll ror each selected
area the values ot IDdex RA1n1't&ll Ratio equalled or ezceeded by l percent 1
s percent_. and 10 percent, respecti'nlly, ot the total JNIIber or n.l.uea.
For purpose ot compariaon, the set ot curv'eS deaipated u lA, 5A, lOA,
25A and 50A were obtained by plotting the • • ot tbe Ja1cbeat l percent,
5 percent, lO percent, etc. , ot the Index :Ra1Dr&l.l Ratioa for the Mlected
areu.

g. Plates 7 and 8. These Plates vere prepared in the aa~~e

azmer as Plate 6, uail:ag Lta applicable to 48-hour 8Dd 96-hour atom per-
1oda, respectively •

. b. Plates· 9. SPS De h-Area-Durat1on Relat1onsh1 s b 24-

Bour Stom Increments. FolloVing a ~ene reView of the problem aDd
c!ata 8D&l.yzed, Curves loa. 25A on Plates 6, 7, and 8 were selected u
1Dd1cea to the volume ot precipitation that ahould be uauaad as occu.rilag
1D 24 1 48 1 and 96-hour periods of St&Ddard Project StoDU. Plate 9
:represents a replotti.Dg of Cllrfts 25A t:rom PlatP-s 61 7 1 .md 8, Vi th a
interpolated curve tor the 72-bour duration, tor CODftDience 1D use.
Appllcat10DS of the cures 1D prepa.riDc SPS eatimatea tor buina of ft.l'ioua
a1zea are diacuased bereiD&tter.

1. Plate 10. T1me-D1atr1'bu'Ston ot 24-S:our SPS Rainfall.

In 4evelopillg Plate 10, charta similar to Plate 2 vere prepared tram d&ta
recorded 1n actual eto::nu to represent· the -.x1llum ~&ll. 1D 6 aDd 12
boura, respectively, over selected aree.a of leaa thaD 1000 aq.Jililea
Correlations of ma.x1lllum 6-haur and 12-hour ra1Dtall 'ftl:uee with the SPS
Index Raintall values tor various geographical loc&t1cma resulted 1D curve•
aubetazltially as indicated 1n Fig (a) of Plate 10. Supplementary studies
uaillg di:tterent methode of approach aubst~mtiated the reaults obta1Ded b;y
the tint method Within acceptable llmita ot variation. A rel&t1'"ly
extensive study of h7drograpbs of actual storms shoved that tbe maximum
6-bour rainfall may occur near the begilmi!lg, lliddle or end ot the maxiliNII
24-bour raintall. period of a atorm. Accord1Jl&l.7 1 the .equence of 6-hO\ll"
rain:f"al.l incrementa 1Ddicated 1n Fig (b) of Plate 10 vaa selected tor SPS
estimates applicable to drainage areas ot approximetely 1000 sq,.mi. &Dd leaa,
011 the basis that auch a sequence would produce critical nmo:tt b'OII moat
baaine. Procedures tor eatilllating ti.JDe-dietribution of r&iDt&l.l 1n SPS
estimates tor dm1Jl86e baa1D& l.arser tbtm approx1llatel.7 lOOO aq.lli. are
CNtlined be:rei.D&fter.

9
 J. Plate ll. '!'me-Distribution ot Mar'•• 6-Hour SPS Ra1Dt&ll
Azlalyaes ot maJor storms approachi.Jlg SPS 111teneitiee over areas ot a tev
hundred square ailea or larger ahov that the rate ot raini"&ll ie uaually ·
t&irl,- uniform duri.Dg the ••z1•• 6-hour period ot the atom, Vith exc::ept1on
ot 1Dte1"111ttent abort-period variations which ueual.ly produce only aaJ.l
ftriationa in atream-tlov rates at dovnatream po111ta atter ftl.ley eto1'88e
.baa 1110dulated loc&l Yariations 1Jl eurtace :ruDOt'f'. R&W'all rates during
leee 1Dtenae 6-hour period.e ot the storm are seaeral.ly more erratic , md
ma:r tollov any 41t'f'erent sequences and rate chazJ&ee 1D 41t'f'erent eto:naa.
!ovever, studies 1D41eate that aa8UIIZption ot UDitorm :l"'L1l1tall 1Dteneities
duriDg eucceaaive 6-hour periods ot the SPS, Yitb exc::eption ot the -.ziJI:NII
6-br. period ot SPS eatiJiatea applicable to lllll&ll d.rainase baaina, votl.ld
give satisfactory tlood discharge estimates it reasonable conservatism 1a
exercised in est1m&t1ng inf'iltration losaee and unit hydrographa. In
order to usure sate eatilllates ot peak d1ecbarsea to be expected trom SPS
rainfall over dra1DB45e areas lese than approximately 300 square llilee on
the avel"'&Se 1 the max1Jm1D! 6-bour rain1"all ot the SPS should be broken dow
1Dto shorter unit perioda and higher 1Dteneit1ee assumed tor the aborter
intenale ac:cord.i.Ds to criteria presented on Plate 11.

lt. Plate 12, SPS Ieob,.:tal Pattern. Studies ot is~tal

patterns reeult1ng trom sto:naa 1D \lhicb the Mxi•DD 6 or 12-hour raiDtall
is generally comparable to SPS Y&l.uea reveal that tbe patterns over a tev
thousand square miles or lees are usually elliptical in shape and that the
longer axis may be oriented in any direction, unleea topographical iD:rluencea
are pronounced. Within these general 11m1ts, a Vide variety ot pe.ttenaa
might be selected Vith equal Y'&lidity. To si.llpl1ty SPS computations in
Which areal distribution ot precipitation baa aD 1mportant 1ntluence on
run-ott rates and volumes, a t,-pical isohyetal pattern 1a p-eaented on Plate
l2. The application ot thie 1ao~yetal pattern ia explained later.

i. Plates 13, 14 aDd 15. 'rheae :relate to illustrative

examples, as discussed hereiD&fter.

2..03. Pm:P~IOll OP SPS m:;'fiMA!l'ES FOR SMALL DRAIKAGE BAS'DS (U:SS

'1'HAlf IOOO SQ. MI.)

a. General. '1'he preparation ot a SPS eatilllate tor a aall

drainage baatD utilizing generalized criteria presented on Plates 2 and 9
to l2 involvee the tollov1ng steps:

(l) Interpolate trom generalized 1aohyeta on Plate 2 the

SPS index ra~all. correapond1Ds to the location ot the draiD~~Se bui.D
under study (referred to hereiD&fter as ''project basin").

(2) later Plate 9 Yith the SPS Index :Rainhl.l ftl.ue

determined in step (1) U> obtain the SPS Index Ra.~all Ratios correeponcUD8
to 24, 48, 72 and 96-hour periods and BD area equal to the total area ot
the project be.ain. Multiply these ratios by the SPS Index Re.1n1'all to
obtain nverage depths ot rainfall V1 thin BD iaoh~tal area equal to the
dr&1nage area ot the project basin, and detenlline incremental 24-hour
.aluea by subtraction.

10
 (3) Arrlt.Da• the 24-hour SPS r&i.D.t&l.l. ftl.uea 4ete:rw.1De4 in
.tep (2} 1D a MQ.uence taYOrablA to pro4ucticm ot critical I"UD.Otr at proJect
l.ocaticma UD4er ccuideratiaD, 'MH4 Gill a ,_.nl appra1Ml ot ~lac1c
COD4.1tiou 1D the proJect buiD.

( 4) Prepare u o"f"erlay ot the boh)"et&l ll&p shovn on

Plate 12., ccmnrtiDg the iaoh1'et Y&l.uea to 1Achea ot 96-hour SPS rai.Dt&ll
b:r .W.tip~ the perceDtllfe Y&l.uea OIL Plate 12 b7 the SJIS 1D4u lla.1.D.tal.l
ftl.u. c1etem1De4 1D atep ( 1).

( 5) Superimpose the project 'baa in outl.1De over the total-

atom 1aohyetal . .p obta1Ded 1D •tep ( 4), 8D4 pli.D.iJDeter to detend.ne the
av.trage depth ot total-atora rainta.ll over the baa1a aza4 each aub-41 T1a1on
thereof that ia to be couide:red 1D eatiaatiD& tlle BPS ra1atall.-exceaa aACi
1'\IDOtr rates.

(6) Subdivide tbe total-atom SPS ra1Dtall val.uea o'bta1De4

1D atep (5) 1Dto 6-hour values 1D accordaDce Vith criteria presented on
Plate lO. '1'he Hmlll aequence and 6-ho\lrl.)r percentace 41.-tr1bution ot raiD-
tall 1a uaumed tor each da;r ot the SPS.

(7) It the cc.puted n.lue ot "t," tor the clra1Dase &l"'e

UDder study, or important au'bdi T1a1ona thereof tOr vhich SPF discharge a
are de aired, ia lea a thaD l6 hours, .ubdi vide tb.e •ximm 6-bour SPS raiD-
tall value ot the wxim• 24-hour rai.Dfall iiato aborter UDit durations 1A
accorda.Dce Yith criteria preaented on Plate ll. (See p. ll ot reference
cited 1D p&J'8Cr&ph 1~1 tor expl.aation ot "tp • 8D4 ~ ot computation).

( 8) Subtract eatiiD&ted 1Dtiltration loaaea tram SPS Rai.Dt&ll

ftluea obtained in atepa (6) &Dd (7) to obtaill rai.D.tall-exceaa qUDtitiea
to be uaed Vith \mit h1'drosrapha 1A comput1D8 SPF diach&rgea.

b. Silllplitication ot Procedure 1D Special Cues. I t ~ea

ot ra.intall &Dd nmott records in the project basin or comparable vater-
aheda indicate that iz:d'UtratioD capacities over the ba.ain are relati'ftly
unitom, and subdivision ot the draiDage baaiD for hydrologic reaaona 1a
not otherviae required tor project study purposes, the caaral. procedure
outlined above may be simplified by Olllitti.Dg prepa.ratiOD ot the iaohyetal
pattem referred to in step ( 4), aimp~ uai.Di the 4ept.h-area curve values
obtained 1n step ( 3), v1thout correction tor baeiD shape.

c. Illuatra.tive Exuiple: Caaputat1on ot SPS re.iD!'all for a

sample c:lra1Dage baeiD tollov1Dg the atepa outliDed in aubp&raara.ph a &bow
is demonstrated on Plate 14. The dra1nage basin azad 1aoh)'Wtal overlay
(step 4) are shaw on Plate 13. lD this caee 1 the existence ot a flood-
control reservoir 1D the area 1a aeaumed 1n order to demoDatrate the ceD-
ter1Dg ot the atom over the uncontrolled area aDd the cClll,pUtat1on of raiD-
tall tor the controlled end \IDCODtrolled ueu nparatel)-. BxplaDatioD ot
the computation ia aa tollova!

ll
 (1) LtDee 1 to 5 eatabliah the 1Ddex raiDtall and the
upit'Dde and ti.JDe a.rrangement ot 24.-hour rainfall amounts that vould be
obtaiDed for the entire basin Vithout reduction tor the tact that the
ato~ isohyeta do not conform to the shape of the basin.

( 2) Linea 6 to l2 incorporate the adjustment required

for basin ahape aDd the subdiVision of rainfall among sub-basins. These
linea can be eliminated vbere these refinements are not reqUired. Values
siven in lines 6 to 8 vere obtained by planillletering isohyeta on Plate 13.
Values of line 9 are those of line 5 diVided by the total-storm ra1Dtall
(15. 7 inches). Values of linea 10 to 12 are obtained by IIUltipl~
values ot line 5 by those ot liDes 6 to ,8 respectively.

( 3) L1.Des l3 to 21 establish the hyetographa tor each

area. Six-hour percentage of mximum 24-hour raintall obtained tram Plate
10, are applied to each successive 24-hour period of raintall. t.l'heae are
multiplied by respective values 1D linea 10-12 to obt&iD 6-hour ra!Dtall
amounts in llnee 14 to 16. '!'he tabulation on Plate 13 indicates that tR
ia 3 hotLl'S in this case (see Plate ll). Appropriate percentagee; ot max1mum
6-hour rainta.ll in 3-hour intervals shoVD. on Plate 11 are entered in line
18, Plate 14. 'l'beae are mu.ltiplled by the reapeci:.ive Yalues ot the 66-hour
column, linea 14 to 16, to obtain 3-hour amounta on lines 19 to 21.

( 4) L1Dea 22 to 29 eotablish raini'all excess BIDOUDta.

Inf'iltration losses (linea 22 and 23) are subtracted from rai.Dtall amounts
tor the sub-areas A and B to obtain rainfall excess amounts tor those sub-
areas (l.iDes 24 &Dd 25). These are converted to volumes (lines 26 and 27,
and are added to obtain raint&ll-excesa volU1118s for the total area (line 28).
These Wl'UIIIea diVided by the total area yield averase rain:t'all-exee.ss depths
tor the total area (line 29). Values of line 24 and 25 voul.d be used 1n
conjUDction Vi th unit h)'drographs tor the subareas in this case because of
the existence of a flood-control reservoir at the lower end of area A. In
cases Vhere &UucliV1aion ot the area is made only to account tor areal
difterenc~~ in loss rates, values of line 29 can be used in conjunction vith
a UD1t hyd.rograph tor the entire area.

2-o4. APPROXIMATION OF SPF AS PE~Eifl'AGE OF MAXDilM PROBABLE FLOOD.

M atated 1n aub-paracraph 1-o6 d (2) 1 eati.llatea completed to date 1ndicate
that SPF diachargea baaed on detailed studies usually equal 4o to 60 per-
cent of the maxiDNm probable (or ''ma.xilllum possible") fiood tor the same
bas1D; a ratio of 50 percent is considered representative ot avel'86e cqndi-
tions. TnaB11111ch as computation ot maximum probable flood estimates are
normally required as the b&aia of design ot spillways tor high dams, it is
convenient to estimate the SP.F tor reservoir proJects as equal to 50 percent
of tbe -.xilllum probable tlood hyc!rograph to avoid the ·preparation of a
separate SPF estimate (see paragraph 1-o5 and 3-o2 d regarding SPF aeries).
Accordimgly, this convention is acceptable tor reservoir projects in general.
The rule may also be applied 1D estimating SPF hydrographs tor basins out-
aide ot the region and re.nge of areas covei"ed by genera.lized charta presented
herein where maximum probable tlood estimates baaed on detailed hydrometeoro-
logical investigations have been completed. Where snow melt or extreme

l2
 • "t'.... ~-

:nu:as•• 1A t.opo&ra~ are MJor tact.ora t.o be t.aka. 11at.o o_.14erat10D, it.
1• appropnate to e.tiJI&te tM •Y1•• »:robabl.e ~ ~ tor 1oM
'buill 'b7 cou14er1JII optS.. ea.b1Dat.1au of cnt.Mal ~1111
factor. D4 -~ tbe BPI' ~ ia eqW. ~ to pezwat ot tbe
• r ! w n pzooMble 41ac:bal'lea. Tbia approziat1• ia 'bue4 Clll tbe '!ODCl'WI!OC
~t CJ'1t1c&l. cca41t1ou c• be a.tel'ld.De4 tra ~ ot ..teorolocic&l.
e4 tcrposrapbic uatluacea, 11bereu a .ubetatial peno4 ot ~oro•
locte&l neoJ'de &re requincl to detend.M ~ a na=n1- ~ tloo4
JII"'cbM:SDs tact.on ...tilll 8W .,ecU'lc:B,_..

13
 III. SPS ES'l'IMA.T!S POB LARJE DRAJlWlE BASDIS

3..01. G!RERAL. ~ buic principles iDTOlftd 1D the preparation ot

SPS 8Dd SP.F eltimates tor large dra.:i.Dage baa1Ds are the same as those
applicable to baaine lees than 1000 equare 111les in area, vhich have been
discussed 1D Section II. Hovever, geueralizatione o! criteria become more
dif'ricul.t ae tbe size or area inc:reaeea. Whereas SPF discharge estimates
tor emal.l areas are\IIU8J.ly governed J.a:rgely by tbe ma."'Cjiii.Dil 6 or 12-hour
raiJltall associated Vith a severe thunderstorm situation, tloods or SPF
eategory on large drainage basins are generally the result or a succession
ot relatively distinct rainfall events. Although the intensity and quantities
ot rai.ntall are important factors 1D the production ot a flood in a. large
drain8ge basin, the location ot successive incrementa ot rainte.ll in the
buin, and the ayncronization ot intense burst.e ot raintall Vith progression
ot runoff 1 are ot equal or greater importance in many cases than quantity
of' total. precipitation. P'or eump1e, the total. rainfall over the Kanes.s
R1 ver basin duri.Dg the period 25-31 May 1903, vhich produced an estimated
peak discharge of' 260,000 eta on the Kansas River at Kansas City, vas e.lmoat
identical Vith the total precipitation that occurred over the basin 9-12
July 1951 to produce a peak discharge of' 510,000 eta. Other examples of'
a similar nature might be cited. Accordingly, aelection ot a SPS tor a
large basin cannot be predicated on a statistical &D&lysis or precepitatioa
quantities alone, but must be baaed on a reviev ot hydrometeorological data
tor several outstanding storms of' record 1n the basin and adjacent regions
1n relation to hydrologic c:haracteristics of' the basin under study. CoD8-
1deration of' major floods ot record and historical account should also play
an important part in the selection ot SPF criteria and t1.n&l estimate.

3-o2. EXAMPLE: SPS tsTIMATE FOR CUMBERLA!ID RIVER ABOVE OLD HICKORY
DAM SITE (ll, 700 SQ. MI.).

a. Selection ot Model Stonn tor SPS Estimate. P'ollovillg is

a cbronologic~l outline ot the procedure used:

( 1) Using the Corps ot Engineers publication "Storm Rain-

t&ll in the United States, Depth-Area-Duration Data", approximately 30 stoma
of' record Vithin a f'ev hundred miles of' the Cumberland basin were tentatively
listed tor transposition. To limit the number, only those storms that
produced rainfall exceeding an average ot 6 inches over 5,000 sq. mi. vere
included. The ave rase depth or rainfall over 5,000 and 10,000 sq. Dli. vas
listed tor purpose or comparison.

(2) FolloVing a prel:lminary inspection or data referred

to above 1 it vas eVident th&t Vinter-seaaon stonllS vere predom17\IU\tly 't.he
-.oat severe tor the area involved, and that ground conditions vould be moat
favorable tor flood runorr during the Winter. Accordingly,·· the list o:r
storms cited 1D sub-paragraph a vas reduced by eliminating the lees ~rtant
SUIIIIIIer and Fall Storms, and also certain winter atonss that did not show
isobyetal patters oriented tavorably for transposition to the Cumberland
basin. The :f"inal list o:r 19 storms considered tor transpoaition is shown
in tabl.e A or Plate 15.

l~
 ( 3) 'l'hb 11.-t ot 19 •torae vas referred to the R1droaaeteo-
roloa1c&l Section of the Weather Bwoeau for an opinion reg&rd:tJ:I,g tnASpoa1-
bil1ty and for an eati.Jaate of adjustmeat req,uired. 'l'vo tl"BA8poaitiona of
the 5,000 aq. 1&1. center area of each atom were couidered, one traaapoai-
tion beillg mo4e to the lover Cumberland baa in (center at ClarksVille 1 TenD. )
&Dd the other to the Upper baain (center at Bumaide, 1<:7·) 'l'he ti'8Aipoa1-
tiOD a4ju.tment fe.cton .tu.nUahed by the \leather Bureau are listed 1D tbe
5th ADd 6th columna of Table A, Plate 15.

(4) ID order to facilitate a comparison of the :relative

magnitudes ot ratntall quantities that might be expected over various size
areas and in selected periods ot time, the tabulation ahovn in Table A,
Plate 15, vas completed b7 111Ult1ply1:ng the re.i.D.t&ll values observed 1D the
reepect1 ve stoma by t.he avenge of the Clarksville &11d Bumaide t1'8A8poai-
t1on factors.

(5) Inasmuch as l"fli.nt&ll. values listed 1D Table A of Plate

15 represent average deptha vithin 1aohyets that differ from the shape of
the Cumberland watershed, adJustment tor such differences is necessary to
determine the quantitr of rainfall that would tall on the watershed during
the transposed storm. To aini.JD1z.e vork, "basin shape" factors vere computed
only tor the seven moat i.mport&Dt storms 1 aa listed 1D Table B of Plate 15.
The basin shape factor tor each storm vae dete11111ned by auperimpoai..J:lS the
basin outline over the total-storm isohyetal 111ap prepared in the Part II
Storm Study, plan1JDeter1ng to determine the average depth of ra~al.l. VithiD
the b&ein outline, and diYidiDg this value by the averase r&1.Dtall depth
tor a corresponding size area aa read from the mex1mum depth-area-curve tor
the storm. Results are listed in the 5th, 6th, and 7th colUIID.S of Table B,
Plate 15.

( 6) Depth-al'ea-duration data for the seven moat important

storms included 1D the study, including adJustments tor transposition and
baai:o shape 1 are tabulated in Table B, Plate 15. Pollovil:lg a genen.l com-
parison ot data show on Table B, cons1dent1on ot aeasoD&l. characteristics
ot floods in the basin and the pi~'bu.'tlle .,tfects ot reservoir operations on
the regulation ot runott 1 th~ trbM~posed and adjusted storm of' 23-27 March
1913 (OR 1-15) vas selected a., the ).20 b\J\1%' SPS tor the Cumberland 'baa1D
above Old B1ckor)', TeDU.

(7) Average rainfall and rainfall-excess quantities tor 7

sub-divisions ot the drainage area vere c:ompu·ted b7 6-hour time intervale
duri.ng the 120-hour SPS, as explaJned in p&1"86raph 3..02 ~·

(8) Criteria tor tbe preparation ot the SPF Series tor tbe
ctra1nage area above 014 Bickor,y, Tenn. 1 wen eetabl11hed 1ll the .amaer
expla1De4 1ll paracraph 3..02 !·

Footnote: Permissible rotation of 1soh~tal pattern vas asBUJDed as 20 degrees,

but vas leas in the •~ven storma liated 1D Table B ot Plate 15.
 l». I!!!I!Jle: Ca.putaticm of SPS Raillt&ll. a:a4 Jtai.Dtall
tor Ctalberl.lm4 Riwr :BuiD above Old Jlickog Dea Site.
Exc•••
(1) !he CNtliM ot the Cmlaberlu.d. bu1D vu nperUipoM4
oftr the total-stom 1aoh,et&l. Mp of the 23-27 March 1913 ( O:R 1·15 atom
1D the . •ame position usumed 1D computillg the "baain ahape" factor referred
to 1D sub-paragraph 3.02 a ( 5). Portions of the iaoh;yet&l. ma.p w1 thin each
ot ae't"en aub-d1T.1ai011.1 ot the baain were plNlimetered to determine the
averqe depth or total-atom raiD:t'all before adJuatment tor tranpoeition.

( 2) The ~raupolli tion adjull'tmelrt factor tor each ot the

ae'ftn sub-areas of the basin vere 1Jrterpolated an a etraight llDe buia
tram values deter.mined by the aydrometeorological Section of the Weather
Bureau, tor Cl.&rkaville, Te1111., and Burnside, !Cy. The total atorm raiD-
fall ~uea computed tor each of ae~n sub-areas were multiplied by the
appropriate transposition factors to obtain the total-storm SPS precipi-
tation tor the area.

(3) Precipitation etaticma within the outliDe or the

Cumberland baaiD u •upertmposed on the isoh;yetal u.p 1Jl step (l.) 1 and
stations illalediately adjacent thereto, vere listed on Sta.rm Study l'orm 8·10,
grouping the etationa aa they appeared 1D the sub-areas. 'l'he aceumulati?e
precipitation at each of these atation.a was then copied f'rom the Form s-10
tabulations of the Part II Storu1 Study data.

( 4) Aft rage mass curves of unadJusted re.infall tor the

23-27 March 1913 etona (OR 1-15) were computed by 6 hour 1Dtervala tor
each of the seven sub-areas of the baain, uein8 data compiled 111 steps (l)
and ( 3) 1 tolloVi.J28 the eame procedure used in computiJlg averqe mass cur-
ves tor "zones" 1n Part II Storm Studiea (See Supplement C to Eagineer
l!ulletin w.cH No. 10, 1938 Form S-12). ~se averqe mass curve valuee
were then adjusted to correspond to the SPS rainfall val.ues tor the
reapect1 ve aub-a.reas, and 6-hour incrementa ot ra1Dtal.l thlring the SPS
vere reduced from thie curve.

(5) Rainfall-exceaa during succeaaive 6-hour periods of

the SPS vere computed by subtracting loasee corresponding to an inriltrat1on
index of 0.02 1Dch per hour, vb.ich colrl'oms to val.ues deduced from an aD&l.ya1e
ot a JNilber of actual winter floods in the area.
c. Variation in Procedure 1D Computing ftaintall-Excesa. ID
computtag ra1Dtall-excess values for the 120-hour SPS discussed in para-
graph 3-o2 b, 6-hour aver&8e loaaes over each sub-area were aubtracted
from 6-hour averqe rainfall Y1Lluea tor the same composite area. Treat-
ment ot each •ub-area a• a u1t vaa aat1af'actory 1D the particular atu~
because of the very lov infiltration index involved. Bovever, 1Jl etudiea
applicable to drai~age basins of similar size tD vhicb intiltration lossea
are relatively h1gh, rainfall-excess quantities should be computed tor
area aub-di T1a1on correspondiDg to Thiesaen polygons aurrcnmd1118 each
precipitation atation, in order that appropriate allowances may be made
for areas not covered by rainfall exceeding loaaes during each period ot
the atom.
l(,
 --..- .

d. Example: SPF Series. The derivation ot a "SPP' Series" tor

the U,700 aq,. 111. drainll6e of tbe Cumberl.&Dd RiTer buin above Old l1ckot71
t
'l'eDD. , coveriDS a 4. 110ath period troa 23 Dec to 7 Ma7 1• olltl.i.D.cl belov:

(l) nova tor a t.hree-mnth period antecedent to the SPF

tlood ~re usumed aa equal to da117 discharges recorded du.rin& the period
t'Z'OIIl 23 Dec 1932 to 22 Mar 1933. The purpose of includi.Dg the "mtecedellt"
tlovs vas to proVide a concrete basis ot detendntng the status 1.n exiatiD&
and mtic:ipated reservoirs 1n the basin corresponding to nmott conditions
eonaic!P.red reasonably likely to prevail prior to the SPF. lbmott 4ur1J:1&
the three-month period aelected vas approx1JDatel7 25 percent above the
a't"erqe observed tor the 110nths of Ja.nu.Ar"1, February and March over a 29-
yea.r period of record !rom 1919 to 1947. Tbe t'tova by 110ntha vere &lao d.ia•
tr1buted fairly uniformly and variations vere fairly representative of flood
sequence obserwd during the peri ()d. ot record, excluding a tev yean ot extra-
ord1:n&r,y flood oceurTencea. Although the general criteria adopted tor sel-
ection ot the "antecedent" tlov data are in this case arb1tra.r.t and subject
to appreciable variations on the basis ot peraona.l judgment, the procedUl"e
vas adopted as an expedient in Viev ot the necessity ot taking into account
the etteets ot antecedent conditions on routing of the SPF. It is apparent
that the cr1ter1a followed Vill require variations 1n other e1rcumatancea,
but it 11 believed that reasonable results may be obta1Ded by exercise of
judgmeat em the part ot hydraulic engineers responsible tor web studies.

(2) Flova tor the 15-day period tJ'OIIl 23 Me.r to 7 Apr were
computed tram raintall-excess estimates derived !rom the selected 120-hour
standard project ato~ vbich vas based on a transposition or the 23·27 Mar
1913 sto~ (OR 1·15) as discussed 1n paragraph 3-02 b.

(3) Flovs tor a 30-day period subsequent to the SPF were

assumed aa equal to daily discharge recorded during the period !rom 8 Apr to
7 May 1933. The 30-day period ot nova "subsequent" to the SPF vas 1nelud.e4
~ penD.it a ealeulation or the time required to draw dovn the reaerTD1rs
it nmot1' should equal approximately the average observed tor correapondi.D&
period OVCl"' the period ot record. In general, the derivation ot a SPF
Series is required only when runot't before or at'ter the SPF is likely to
1Dtluenee conclusions reached by rout1ng the SPF hydrograph thru atorace.

3-o3. USE OF SPS GENERALIZED DEPI'B-A.REA CURVES Df SELECTION OF S'l'ORJIS

FOR COMPARISON. The genereJ..ized curves and data ebovn on Plates 5 to 9,
may be used in the selection ot atoms tor detailed comparison in prepar:l.Da;
SPS estimates tor dra1Da.ge basins up to 20,000 square miles, in lieu ot the
procedure outlined in sub-paragraph 3-02 a. In this manner the number ot
atol'm& requ1r1Dg detailed stud7 to determine er:l.tical f'lood produci:aa eapa-
b1l.1ties a&7 be reduced to a aall. INIIiber. 'l'b.e remainder ot the procedure
should be aubstaDt1all7 aa outliDed 1.D paragraphs 3·02 b to 3.02 d.

l7
 IV. PJilJECTS lOR WHICB SPP E8'fDIA1'IS A!! :aQtJIR!!D
a.-o1. ODERAL. '1'he pu.rpose to be Hrftd by SPP' estiatea are c11s-
cuaae4 'br1e~ 11\ p&r~~Srapha l-o6 u4 1-QB. Ill aaae cuea tbe BP!' eatmate
•1' baw a -.jot" bearS.Ds Oil Hlectioa. o~ the c!edp tlDo4 ~01" a part1cul.a1"
project, vtle:reu 1D other cues the ellt~te -1 sene 0Dl7 u an 1Dd1cat1cm
ot th~ }J&rti&l. degroee ot protection proposed tot" the project. SP!I' estimates
are uaet\U 1D comaect1on vith practically all fiood control iDTeatig&tiona
but to reduce the vork required 1D project lltu41ee 1 prep&l'ILtion of SPP'
estimates is required only tor those projects 1D vbieh the proposed c!es1gn
flood is "'ore thaD one of eet~ted 25-year trequene1. To further reduce
the vork 1D~1Ted, approximate eat:t.atea are acceptable vhere it ia appareat
tha't the deai&D tlood is strictly 11m1ted by eeODOIIlie conaiderationa aDd
is IIUbetantia.U.y lees the the SPF. Tbe baais ot SPl" estimates shDul.d be
clearly stated in each ease.

4-02. ORDERS • RmULA.TIOIS. Por eoaftDience 1D refere:DCe p&ftSr&pb

4208.11 (Rnieed March 1951) is quoted belov:
"Oeaeribe any "ataDdard project tJ.ood• estU.te eatablilhed u a cr1te1"101l
1D ual.yz1Dg flood possibilities and flood control requirements, pw the
'basis tor ita der1Y&tion and compare it vith tlooda ot record md the
"desip fiood" t1Dally selected u a buia tor the project deaip. StiiDCSard
project tl.ood detenl1Dat1ona Vill be prepared for local tl.ood protection
projects 1Dtended to protect qaiDst tl.oode (sreater thaD those) ha"''1ll8 aD
average frequency of exceedenee in the order of onee in 25 years, and such
estimates vill. be submitted to the Chief of EDgiDeera tor approval prior to
incorporation 1llto the survey report. Stadard project tlood estimates vUl
be prepared tor flood control and multiple-purpose reser'90in 1 but such
estimates need not be submitted to the Chief of Ea&iDeera tor ad:vanee approval
unleaa considered adVisable by•the reporti.Dg officer. Estimates v1ll be
prepared substantially 1D accordance vith teclm.ic&l 1Dstrueti01l8 issued b~
the Chief ot EDgiDeera".

4-03. MAJOR DRAIBAGE PROJEX:TS. In accordance with the oa.R cited above,
SPF estimates v1ll not be required tor "Jat..jor dra1Dase" projects unless such
projects sene &lao to provide protection agaillllt floods sreater thaD those
haVi.Dg a-nraae f':requency ot approximately cmce 1l1 25 yean.

4-o4. LOCAL P!Ol'EC'l'ION P!nl'E::TS. SPF c!etenainatiODa are required for

local protection projects i.ncluded 1D survey reports that are intended to
provide protection agaiDat floods greater thaD those ba~ an average t:re-
queDcy of oc:currence ot approx:lJDately one 1D 25 ~are. SPF estimates should
&lao be 1Dcluded 1D Det1n1te ProJect 'Reports, c!e61gD lllleJIIDraDda, and other
apecieJ.. reports pertai.Di.Dg to the selection ot design tlood eriteria tor
local protection projects; 1D tbe event estim&tes have been submitted to OCE
111· reports beariJ:a8 apecitically on SPF determinations, inclusion of appropriate
reterences and summaries or results vill auttice for report purposes, although
1Dclua1on or details pertainiDg to prior SPF estimates as a matter ot record
1s desirable vhere this can be accomplished Without undue expense.

18
 4-<>5. RESF.:RVOin ~. In aome 1natcmcea SPF eutimatea serve u
the priJD&ry bu1s ror aelectina the storage capacity or nood coutrol naer·
YOin, ud 1D euch cue• the estimate should be prepared With subatanti&l.ly
the eame care ud detailed atudy obserntd ill connection with det.el'III1D&t1ou
tor local protection proJecta or comparable importance. llovewr, 1D 1110.-t
caaea aelection ot storage and outlet capacities tor reservoirs are governed
b7 ccmaideration• other thaD the SPF eatiJDate, in which cue tbe SPF eatiJDAte
1a ot aecondary importuce &lld may be approximated aatist'act.or1ly by aaaua•
~ that tbe SPF equals 50 peroent or tbe spillvay 4eaigz:l 1'1.ood tor the
proJect. (See para 2-o4.).

4-o6. SUBMISSION OF SPP' ~TIMATFS TO OCE POR APPROVAL PRIOR TO

IK:ORPORAl'ION D REPORl'S.
a. All SPF estialtea required ror 1Aclus1on in INrY'ey reports
under 1Datructions discussed above should be submitted to OCE tor approval
prior to incorporation 1.Jl the survey reports, v1 th the tollovi.Dg exceptiozu ~

(l) SPF estimates tor small drainage a.reu (leu than approx•
1.11ately 1000 s~.lli.les) baaed on generalized rainra.ll crt terta and procedures
preaented herein need not be submitted to OCE tor advance approval UDlese
the reporti.Dg officer considers adV&Dce approval &dv1e&ble 1.n apecitic cuea.
(2) SPP' esti.IDates prepared tor indiVidual reservoirs need
DOt be wbmitted to OCE tor advance approval unless the estimate coutitutea
the primary basis tor selection ot tbe reservoir storage and outlet capacities.

b. Witb reference to SPF estimates related to Det1n1te Project

Reports and special etud1ea, attention is invited to o&R, paragraph 4214.10 ._,
1.Jl which aubldseion ot appeDd1ces or portions ot reports coveri.Jl6 hydrologic
features tor adve:ocf! approval by OCE is outlS.»oed. SPF estimates required
'UDder inatructions presented above abould be included in such advance sub·
aiaaiona. In special cases, conterencee should be &rre.DSed to permit re-
Yiev ot SPF eatimatea and related hydrologic deteminatioD& that have a -.Jor
bearilag on tbe aelection or design tl.oods tor important 'Pl"'jecta.

c. SPF eatimates aubmi tted tor approval or OCE should be accom-

p&Died by aupporti.Jlg 1Dtormation, and a atatemeut indicating the purpose ot
tbe particular eatialate ud tbe probable intluence that the estimate Vill
ban on aelection or tbe deaip tlood tor tbe project 1llvolved (See pan.-
poaph 4-ol).

:BY THE ORDER OF TliE CHIEF OF EJ~l!BEJ:k):

/a/ Stealey G. Re1tt

2 IDcla /t/ STAKU!Y G. REIFF

l Liat ot Platea Coloael, Corps ot EDgi.Deere
2 Plates l - 15 1llcl. Ezecutive
D1atr1but1on: (C/L lo. 4358)· C1Til Worka
F-1,2,3 md 5
0

19
C1~1 Worke Ea&:l.uer BulJ,etiA )(o. 52-8

Plate Wo. Subject

1 Chart troll U. S. Weather Bureau•a BJe Report ~. 23,

OeDeral1ced Eat1Jiatea, Mex1•m Poaa1b:Le Pncip1taticm,
(A?erage Precipitation 1D 24 boura o~tr 200 aq. a1.)

2 SPS Il:ldex RaiD.t&.ll, V1 th outlllle or ZoDea (ATBnce Pnc1p1•

tatiOD 1D 24 henan oTer 200 aq. 111. )

3 SPS IDc!ex Ra1Jatall Iaobyete n Actual Sto:na Values

(BepreaentiJ:Ii Average Det>th ot Prec1pitat101l o-Nr 200
Square Mile a 1D 24 Hour•)

4 Ratio ot Actual Stom V&l.uea to SPS ID4ex Rl.iJ:atall.

5 'l'abulation, Precipitation Du.r1Ds MaJor Stoma ot Racorcl 1D

Percent ot SPS IDdex Rai.Dfal.l ( Ia 2 aheeta)

6 Generalized Depth-Area Curfta, 24-Hour Ra.iDt&ll

7 GeDeral.izrd Depth-Area CUn'ea 48-Bour :Ra1Dt&ll

8 Geller&lized Depth-Area Cur?ee 96-Bour RaiAtall

9 SPS Depth·Area-Duration Relationahipe 'b;r 24-Boa.r Sto:na

IDcreJD~~mta

10 1'1M D1iltr1llut10D ot 24-Baur SPS :Raintall

ll TilDe Distribution ot Mv1•n 6-Baur BPS RaiDtal.l

l2 SPS Iaob.yetal Pattern

13 Illuatrati ve Example: Application ot Iaoh1etal Pattern
(Maximum 96-Bour Period ot SPS)

14 Tabulation, Compu.tation ot Raintall aDcl Rai.Dral.l.-Exceae

DuriD8 SPS over SU:ple DraiDaae Buill.
15 Tabulation re CulllberlaDd R1 ftr Bu~: Stud•rd ProJect
Stor.m Determ1Dat1an.
 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEER&

GENERALIZED ESTIMATES
MAXIMUM POSSIBLE PRECIPITATION

--- ..,.' .................. . ..,.._...

200 Square Miles- 24 Hours

I
/ \
I

·- ............;,-·-·-·----~.,j._i
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f--.
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I
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SeAl.£
tOO 0 100 100 100 •oo 100 MILlS

This pltJfs is ~Wproduc,d from H. M.S. R8ptJrl No. 23 JNsporlld

by 1118 HydftJIII•f•orologit:tJI Ssclion of 1118 U. s. W6ofh8r Sur1ou.

CIVIL WORKS ENO&NEER BULLETIN 52-8 PLATE NO. I

"r< ..
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A.
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12
STANDARD PROJECT STORM ~ES
(P'i. ol AI[IIAG€ OEPTH 01 RAIWAU. IN
tow«• too M 111. •• •• - •
. GENERALIZED ESTIMATES

RATIO ACTUAL STORM VALUES

! TO SPS INDEX RAINFALL
•
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OEPART'MENT ~ THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGtNEERS

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STANDARD PROJECT STORM STUDIES
so r---: SPS DEPTH-AREA- DURATION RELATIONSHIPS
~.. '
20~
BY 24-HOUR STORM INCREMENTS
•
. ..
I
1-· •
o

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10 ...-·~·~l~t~T~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I~!~~·~·~~~~~~~~~~L-~~~~~
0 20 60 60 100 120 140 .a
SPS INDEX RAINfALL RATIO (IN PERCENT)

52-8 PL.ATE NO. st

J!
...,.JS~
f'UICDffAGr 011 14-MOUt

.
INMI
IIAIN"AU. IPS lt&IN,AU. IN
OUIQII&TfD &-.- "l"'DD
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1'- . ~- :;: ,- ··-f-· -'· ~; :". .. . .. ·- . - ..

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II ILS 7.5

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'IG. (D) TYPICAl. ARRANGEMENT ... ....
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OUANTITIE9 IN SPS
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101

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I ~~- FIG. (c) TABUL.ATION OF OAT& FROM FIG. (a)

0
o I 4 I I 10 II 14 II 10
II' I . . . . MIIIIFJU. IN INCHES ,

Pll. (e) S P 5 24-HOUit PRtCIPITATIOft OYER

100 SQ. MI. n. PERCENT IN 6-HOUR PERIODS

STANOARO PROJ£CT STORM STUOCES

GlNERALIZEO ESTIMATES

TIME DISTRIBUTION
~ Of 24-HOUR SPS RAINFALL
0
L-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~-----------------------------------P
 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

TIME DISTRIBUTIC»f <F MAXIMUM 6-HoUR SPS RAINFALL

Aiinrail Time Distribution of H&Xiiwn 6-Bour SPS Rainfall,

Period Exnreased in Percent ot Total 6-Hour Rainfall
(Sub·Division ~e!ecte3 Unit Ri1nra!! Durat!onz ~
ot 6-Hour
!'eriod) 6-Houra 3-ffOUl"tt 2-Koura l-Hour .
II~
,~
IJ 14 15
-.
l.st 100 33 26 10 •

2nd 6z 53 l2
Jrd 21 lS
i
I 4th 38
!'
Sth 14
6th 11
TarAt 100 100 100 100

4tNOTEa Tt\e ••elected unit. raint&ll durat.ion,• 'R 1• det.era1.ned

approxilut.e~ traa the .,-rtthet.ic Wlit. ~IJ'apb equat.1GD, "r • tp
J:J
in wnch "'-p" 18 the l3g tiM fi'OII aidpoillt. ot Wlit. r.Wall d\ll"&t.iOD,
t.z., to peak o! unit. h)'drograph, in boun, (See pace U, inc1neerinc Manual.

tor Cinl Woru, Part. CXIV - 97drololic and fb'dra\llic Anaqeee, Qwpt.er S-
.Floocl-HJdrograph Anal:'••• .a Collput.at.ion•). 1'be toUGvin1 nanded-ott

U ;, eaceeda 16, •e ; a 6
u t.P 1e between 12 ancl 16.. •• t. : 3
1
It tp 11 bet.wen 6 and 12 • • • il : 2
U t.P i l bet.nen 4 and 6, •• ; : 1

f12'r • .I· :{ • '- S

CIVIL. WORKS ENGINEER BUL.l.ETIN 52 -a
" ........ PL.ATE N 0. I I
Ut
ro
I
CD

., NOrES STANDARD PROJECT STORM STUDY

r l Pof~Brn moy btl orMnlsd In ony dtirlclion.
"'~ e. Pofltlrn corrll$fJOnds lo -,lh-or'o r1JoitJn SPS ISOHYETAL PATTERN
z~ TIIPriSIInltld by 96 -lltHJr &Uil'l of P/ols No. 9. seAL£ • •teoo.oooI
•xpressed in ~ of ind~x roinlo/1.
(JIIII
10 a
I
o •rus eo = 10

N~~--------------------------------------~--------------------------------------~
0
<
;= Gclti"t StoiiOft No. I flood Control RtHrvalr
Droiftclte AIIO 440 $cl. Mi Dr~ Ated' 234 s.. MI.

Ien ~StatlaftNt.l
" Drainage ArlO 201 Sq....

"'!!z
z
"'"'
::Ill
II'
c
r
r
"'....
i
CJI
N

•'
LOcal ·ProtectiOft Project
Oroinop Areo 458 $4. MI.

.
UNIT HYOROGRAPH DllTA

'• ,.,.
t
DRAINAGE L
LOCATK*
AREA Leo (L·laf· , tp t, o,
~
Oaln A 236 37 20 '7.3 1.8 13.1 2.4 3.0 13.2 380
· LPP 8 222 3S II 6.1 2.3 15.9 2.9 3.0 15.9 420

NOTES
STANDARD PROJECT STORM STUDIES
1. ProJ•cl IDctJiion: Ltll. .J1~ · Ltlllf. 94• (/nd•• r~~inftlll' /.J !· "}.
2. lsohyets ctNr•spond to tllou of Plot• ND. 12 with fMrC,Itl•l
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
multipll•d by ind•x rolnfoll of /.J. $ inch•£ APPLICATION OF ISOHYETAL PATTERN
.J. Ftlr d•linllion and oppllcolion of un/1-hydrogrDplt symbfJfl ,.,
(MAXIMUM 96-HOUR PERIOD OF SPS)
Enginuring MDnutll for Civil Worts, Pori CXIV, Chop ...-., ~.
c
4. 1 oniJ Cp baud on floods obs•rv~d ol 909ing slolicv•s /IJ 2.
I I I I I I
'· 'R bos~d on crll,io on Ptot• No. II. 10 I 0 10
~L_ _______,__________________________________________________ ------- MilES lD
---~--------------------------------------------------~~
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