• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.235-246
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• 2009

This study theoretically reviews the basin storage coefficient and concentration time using the Nash model, a simple unit hydrograph theory. First, the storage coefficient and concentration time of Nash instantaneous unit hydrograph (IUH) are derived based on their definitions, whose characteristics as well as their relationship are also reviewed. Additionally, several empirical equations of storage coefficient and concentration time commonly used in Korea are evaluated by comparing them with those for the Nash IUH. Major results of this study are summarized as follows. (1) The concentration time of Nash IUH is approximately linearly proportional to the number of linear reservoirs, but the storage coefficient non-linearly to the square root. That is, if increasing the number of linear reservoirs by four times, the concentration time becomes also increased by about four times, but the storage coefficient only about two times. This result has a special meaning to understand the effect of basin subdivision on the concentration time and storage coefficient. (2) The storage coefficient and concentration time of Nash IUH are not independent each other, so their independent estimation does not make any physical sense. As the concentration time among the two is more sensitive to the number of linear reservoirs, which should be estimated first, then the storage coefficient considering the concentration time estimated. (3) Empirical equations of concentration time can be divided into two groups, one following the linear channel theory and the other not, whose equation forms are also found to be very similar. This result indicates that the characteristic factors dominating the concentration time are very similar, indicating the possibility of its regionalization over a basin with consistent equation forms. (4) Those for storage coefficient like the Russell formulae are found to consider the physical characteristics of a basin, so their unreasonable applications could sufficiently be excluded.