Robson, A.J., Houghton-Carr, H.A., Faulkner, D.S., Jakob, D., Marshall, D.C.W., Reed, D.W. 1999. The Flood Estimation Handbook methods. 34th MAFF Conference of River & Coastal Engineers, Keele, June/July 1999, 2.2.1–2.2.8.
Two principal flood estimation methodologies are presented in the Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH: IH, 1999): the statistical method (Volume 3) and the rainfall-runoff method (Volume 4). Both these methods are used to provide estimates of flood magnitude or flood rarity, e.g. to estimate the T-year flood or to determine the rarity of a recent flood event. The two methods use different approaches to these problems and require different data inputs. In some circumstances, only one of the methods will be applicable (e.g. for estimation of the probable maximum flood, the rainfall-runoff approach is used). In other cases, both methods can be applied and the two results reconciled. Volume 1 provides guidance as to which method(s) to use.
This paper presents a brief outline of FEH methods from a user-perspective. It introduces those methods for which there have been the greatest developments and which past-users of the Flood Studies Report (FSR; NERC, 1975) will find most different. The rainfall-runoff method is briefly outlined, and is followed by a more detailed introduction to the statistical method.