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A Modified SCS-CN Method: Characterization and Testing

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Abstract

The Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method (SCS,1956) is modified by accounting for the static portion ofinfiltration and the antecedent moisture. A volumetric analysisshows that the ratio of the potential maximum retention (S) tothe precipitation amount versus the runoff factor relation isequivalent to the average suction pressure-moisture contentrelation for a unit rainfall amount and a given soil porosity. Asimple spreadsheet procedure is suggested for determining S withuse of a 5-day antecedent precipitation amount. The modifiedmethod is found to perform well on the same data sets as used inthe National Engineering Handbook (SCS, 1971).

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Mishra, S.K., Singh, V.P., Sansalone, J.J. et al. A Modified SCS-CN Method: Characterization and Testing. Water Resources Management 17, 37–68 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023099005944

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