Definition
Runoff coefficient is a dimensionless factor that is used to convert the rainfall amounts to runoff. It represents the integrated effect of catchment losses and hence depends upon the nature of land surface, slope, degree of saturation, and rainfall intensity. It is also affected by the proximity to water table, degree of soil compaction, porosity of soil, vegetation, and depression storage. Some of its probable values for different land uses (Mutreja, 1990; Subramanya, 1991) are presented in Table 1. The joint committee of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Water Pollution Control Federation has recommended values of runoff coefficient for a variety of land uses, soil types, and surface slopes (ASCE and WFCP, 1969).
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American Society of Civil Engineers and Water Pollution Control Federation, 1969. Design and Construction of Sanitary Storm Sewers. ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice no. 37 and WPCF Manual of Practice no. 9.
Mutreja, K. N., 1990. Applied Hydrology. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill.
Subramanya, K., 1991. Engineering Hydrology. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill.
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Goel, M.K. (2011). Runoff Coefficient. In: Singh, V.P., Singh, P., Haritashya, U.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Snow, Ice and Glaciers. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2642-2_456
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