Topic outline

  • Introduction to Flood Routing Methods

    Credits: 4 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    Flood routing is one of the key elements of a watershed hydrological model. Stream channels, floodplains, and reservoirs can have a significant impact on the delivery of water to any location along a stream network. Flood routing can be used to determine the magnitude of the peak discharge, the time of the peak discharge, depth and extent of flooding, and environmental factors such as stream bank erosion, floodplain scour, sediment transport, and deposition. This course includes coverage of basic concepts, calculation procedures and example calculations for flood routing.

    Topics:

    At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
    • Know the differences between hydrologic flood routing methods and hydraulic flood routing methods
    • Know the difference between translation effects and storage effects on flood wave movement down a stream system
    • Be familiar with elevation-storage relationships for reservoirs
    • Be familiar with elevation-discharge relationships for reservoirs
    • Be familiar with elevation-discharge and elevation-storage relationships for channel reaches
    • Be familiar with elevation discharge hydrographs to reservoirs or channel reaches
    • Be able to make reservoir routing and channel routing calculations using the storage-indication routing method
    • Be able to use the continuity equation for reservoir routing and channel routing calculations.
    • Be able to use the Muskingum method for channel routing calculations
    • Be able to use the Muskingum-Cunge method for channel routing calculations
    • Be able to use the Muskingum method for channel routing calculations with meandering streams
    • Be familiar with the effects of baseflow on routed flows
    • Be familiar with the effects of transmission losses on routed flows
    • Be familiar with routing through tide gates and dikes

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course:
    Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for Hydraulic, Stormwater, Geotechnical, Civil, Environmental, Water Resources, and other engineers whose job description may require a general knowledge of flood routing methods and procedures.
    Publication Source: USDA NRCS

    Harlan Bengtson PhD, PE

    • Topic 1