Reed, D.W. 1987b. Engaged on the ungauged: Applications of the FSR rainfall-runoff method. Proc. BHS National Hydrol. Symp., Hull, September 1987, 2.1–2.19.
The Flood Studies Report (FSR) is sometimes seen as a "cookbook" for flood estimation. Such a view undervalues the range and depth of information presented in the FSR and Flood Studies Supplementary Reports (FSSRs), and undervalues the engineer/hydrologist - who may know much more of the flood behaviour of a catchment than can be distilled into half a dozen numerical characteristics. Although parts of the FSR methods are heavily prescribed, there is both scope for, and need of, experience and judgement in applying the methods to ungauged catchments.
The paper explores the incorporation of local, historical and research information to solve seven UK estimation problems, chiefly concerning catchments in the range 1-50 km2; in each case the solution is based on the FSR rainfall-runoff method. Particular themes include the use of rainfall information to ascribe return periods to historical events and the application of 1:250,000 soil map information in percentage runoff assessment. The influence of opencast mining is discussed, and reference made to problems in estimating floods on flooding, both in the form of natural flood plains and engineered balancing predominantly chalk catchments. Particular attention is given to the role of storage in controlling ponds.