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Simplified approach to considering watershed heterogeneity in direct runoff estimation using SCS-CN model.

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Title: Simplified approach to considering watershed heterogeneity in direct runoff estimation using SCS-CN model.
Authors: Palli-Gravani, Stergia1 (AUTHOR) palligravani@aua.gr, Soulis, Konstantinos1 (AUTHOR), Wałęga, Andrzej2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Hydrological Sciences Journal/Journal des Sciences Hydrologiques. May2026, Vol. 71 Issue 6, p1259-1266. 8p.
Subjects: Runoff models, Spatial arrangement, Water management, Watershed ecology, Runoff analysis, Measurement of runoff
Abstract: This study investigates the effect of impervious surfaces on direct runoff estimation with SCS-CN method and introduces a simplified approach to represent watershed heterogeneity in the estimation of its parameters. Unlike existing approaches relying on complex parameterizations, the proposed method incorporates the spatial distribution of impervious surfaces in a simple and physically meaningful way when estimating curve number (CN) values from rainfall-runoff measurements at the basin outlet. The method was evaluated across multiple experimental watersheds and synthetic datasets and demonstrated performance comparable to more complex approaches, achieving R2 values of 0.868 – 0.992, closely matching the two-CN method (0.877 – 0.993). Although slightly less accurate, it requires fewer parameters and offers a practical, computationally efficient alternative for water management applications. Comparable performance to spatially distributed CN estimates further confirms its robustness without additional methodological complexity. The results highlight the importance of impervious surface distribution in improving CN estimation, especially in permeable watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:This study investigates the effect of impervious surfaces on direct runoff estimation with SCS-CN method and introduces a simplified approach to represent watershed heterogeneity in the estimation of its parameters. Unlike existing approaches relying on complex parameterizations, the proposed method incorporates the spatial distribution of impervious surfaces in a simple and physically meaningful way when estimating curve number (CN) values from rainfall-runoff measurements at the basin outlet. The method was evaluated across multiple experimental watersheds and synthetic datasets and demonstrated performance comparable to more complex approaches, achieving R2 values of 0.868 – 0.992, closely matching the two-CN method (0.877 – 0.993). Although slightly less accurate, it requires fewer parameters and offers a practical, computationally efficient alternative for water management applications. Comparable performance to spatially distributed CN estimates further confirms its robustness without additional methodological complexity. The results highlight the importance of impervious surface distribution in improving CN estimation, especially in permeable watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:02626667
DOI:10.1080/02626667.2026.2628736