Natural Resources Extension Program
Step 3. Estimating lot area run-off
This worksheet estimates the amount of run-off from livestock pens.
Example Information:
- 25yr/24hr storm = 2.2 inches precipitation (see Montana precipitation map, source: Western Regional Climate Center, Reno, NV, http://www.wrcc.dri.edu)
- Lot area = 4.36 acres
- Unpaved animal feeding areas hold about the first 0.5 inches of precipitation. Thus storms of less than 0.5, which is the majority of the storms in this area, produce no runoff.
Equation:
RO = [(P - 0.5) ÷ 12 in./ft] x LA
Variables:
RO | = lot runoff, ac-ft |
P | = Precipitation, inches |
LA | = lot area, acres |
RO = [(2.2 – 0.5) ÷ 12] x 4.36 ac = 0.62 ac-ft