Ground Surface Slope as a Basin Scale Parameter

Abstract

A simple and relatively rapid method of determining the characteristic or typical slope of a basin is proposed. The expression for the parameter which is given by Savg = [L(H•-H•o2)]/(A cos /•) was developed from considerations of basin geometry and basic geomorphologic facts and involves only quantities that can be easily extracted from topographic maps. Characteristic basin slope values of 19 Appalachian Plateau watersheds which range in size from 7.4 to 178.2 km 2 were determined by the proposed method. These values were compared with corresponding values obtained by Horton's intersection line method and with those derived from county soil survey reports and maps. The comparisons showed very close agreement between the three sets of values indicating the high accuracy of the method developed here. Similar comparisons involving values determined by previous slope methods indicated that these values are at best poorly related to actual average basin slope, and that most of them are incapable of detecting small differences in slope between similar watersheds. Moreover, the proposed method significantly reduces the amount of work required by other slope methods of comparable accuracy. 1895

Estimation of the base flow recession constant under human interference

“…Previous studies employed the concept of basin relief ( H ) which Zecharias and Brutsaert [] define as the difference between the basin summit elevation and the basin outlet elevation. Vogel and Kroll [], for example, estimate average watershed slope, S , using the relation based on the work by Strahler [].…”

GENERALIZED LOW‐FLOW FREQUENCY RELATIONSHIPS FOR UNGAGED SITES IN MASSACHUSETTS1

“…Here, as in Zecharias and Brutsaert (1985) the basin relief, H, is equations for &q'(d). (8) for the annual minimum d = 3-, 7-, where k is the hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer, A 14-, and 30-day low-flows.…”

“…The product Hd is an approxi-errors of estimate (SE%), than the regression mation to the average basin slope. Here, as in Zecharias and Brutsaert (1985) the basin relief, H, is equations for &q'(d). In all cases, the model residuals (c), are approximately normally distributed as defined as the difference in elevation between the evidenced by the high computed probability plot basin summit and the basin outlet where the basin correlation coefficient test statistics r (see Vogel and summit elevation is the average of the highest peak for discussion of these statistics).…”

Regional Low Flow Frequency Relations for Central Ontario

“…Wright (1970) determines that high mean catchment slope indicates the potential for large groundwater storage in a study of the Lothians area of Scotland. Zecharias and Brutsaert (1985) propose a method of determining the average basin slope using only values that can be determined from topographic maps. Moin and Shaw (1986) Figure 4.…”