On the pararneterisation of drainflow response functions

Abstract. A procedure for the parameterisation of drain flow hydrographs is proposed. This involves the derivation of empirical linear response functions, which are themselves parameterised. The parameters are the time and height of the peak, and the recession characteristics. The recession limb of the hydrograph can be approximated best by the Youngs (1985) analysis, which requires two parameters. The merit of this method is illustrated by an analysis of data from a drainage experiment at North Wyke, Devon, UK; this shows that the model fits the data very well.

Keywords: Drainflow hydrographs; response functions