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Revisiting the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number Method

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Hydrologic Modeling

Part of the book series: Water Science and Technology Library ((WSTL,volume 81))

Abstract

The Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) [now called as Natural Resource Conservation Service Curve Number (NRCS-CN)] method is globally popular for estimating runoff from rainfall events because of its simplicity and ease of application for gauged and ungauged watersheds. Its popularity lies in its simplicity as well as its ability to account for some key runoff-producing watershed characteristics, such as soil type, land use, hydrologic condition, and antecedent soil moisture condition (AMCs). Recently, the method has undergone through a number of hydrologic and structural modifications through (i) soil moisture accounting (SMA) procedures; (ii) curve number (CN) estimation and their conversion techniques; (iii) linear/nonlinear initial abstraction (I a) and maximum soil moisture retention relationships (S); (iv) storm duration and dynamic versus static infiltration; (v) slope and CN relationships; and finally (vi) overall renewal of SCS-CN methodology through different concepts and theories. This paper revisits the popular SCS-CN methodology in the context of recent modifications along with various applications based on these modifications and much beyond that it explores the newer fields of application in hydrologic sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Water Resources Development & Management, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, UK, India

    S. K. Mishra

  2. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2117, USA

    Vijay P. Singh

  3. Water Resources Systems Division, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, 247667, UK, India

    P. K. Singh

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  1. S. K. Mishra
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  2. Vijay P. Singh
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  3. P. K. Singh
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Correspondence to S. K. Mishra .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA

    Vijay P Singh

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, AISECT University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

    Shalini Yadav

  3. AISECT University, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, India

    Ram Narayan Yadava

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Mishra, S.K., Singh, V.P., Singh, P.K. (2018). Revisiting the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number Method. In: Singh, V., Yadav, S., Yadava, R. (eds) Hydrologic Modeling. Water Science and Technology Library, vol 81. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5801-1_46

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