
Interpreting L-THIA's Results: Limitations of L-THIA
The
SCS CN method is a core component of many traditional
hydrologic models.
It
has been used inside L-THIA in a straightforward,
simple fashion to assess the long term hydrological
impacts of land use change.
With
the intention of minimizing the complexity of
the SCS CN method certain elements were simplified
by:
- Neglecting the
contributions
of snowfall
to precipitation
- Neglecting the
effect of frozen
ground
that increases stormwater runoff during cold
months
- Neglecting variations
in antecedent
moisture
conditions
These
simplifications are necessary to keep the technique
straightforward and accessible but could be removed
if a more sophisticated analysis was required.
L-THIA
has been developed as a tool to asess the long
term impact that changes in land use have on hydrology
of an area.
It
is to be used with data that is readily available
to planners and decision makers.
It
is not meant to assess the details for requirements
of a storm water drainage system and other such
urban planning concerns.
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