PENN STATE URBAN RUNOFF MODEL TO PINPOINT FLOOD PEAK SOURCE LOCATION¹

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Penn State Urban Runoff Model, developed in 1976, is described in this paper. Aside from locating infiltration and detention basin operation in an unconventional manner, the model includes a peak flow presentation table which identifies watershed subareas chiefly responsible for the occurrence of flooding conditions at certain points in the watershed. The results of a case study on an urban drainage basin in the Philadelphia area is discussed, and preferred sites for retention ponds are suggested. The simplicity of the Penn State model is pointed out and computer run costs between 10 and 20 percent of the corresponding cards for HEC‐I and SWMM are cited.