FEH CD-ROM | WINFAP-FEH | ReFH

The Revitalised Flood Hydrograph (ReFH) model is the new FEH rainfall-runoff method for UK design flood estimation. The methods used are described in the FEH Supplementary Report No. 1 – The revitalised FSR/FEH rainfall-runoff method.

This new method was developed by CEH as a direct replacement for the Flood Studies Report rainfall-runoff method, and the software replaces the Micro-FSR software. This new lumped conceptual rainfall-runoff model was calibrating using more recent and large flood events and has added emphasis on seasonal flooding, with the same underlying principles as the previous method.

With this software you can:

Generate design flood hydrographs view image

• use a design rainfall event of the required return period
• specify both soil moisture and rainfall on a seasonal basis depending on the degree of urbanisation within the catchment (summer conditions for urbanised catchments and winter conditions for rural catchments).

Analyse observed events view image

• visually inspect quality of the data for each event
• estimate model parameters using FEH CD-ROM catchment descriptors
• optimise model parameters through event analysis
  • specify sub-daily event rainfall and runoff
  • model antecedent soil moisture conditions using daily rainfall and evaporation
  • use regression fitting to select baseflow parameters on the hydrograph for each event
  • optimise time-to-peak and maximum soil moisture content
  • optionally optimise additional parameters
• use these parameters to generate design flood hydrographs at the site

Estimate the attenuation of flood hydrographs by reservoirs through reservoir routing methods

Manage and view observed event data and modelled results.

In addition to the software, the ReFH design model has been implemented as a freely available spreadsheet version (available for download). The ReFH software offers significant advances over the use of the ReFH spreadsheet which are detailed here.

Advances over the ReFH spreadsheet

The ReFH software was released in 2007 and offers significant advances over the use of the ReFH spreadsheet (available for download). The ReFH spreadsheet is limited to use with design rainfall data.

With the enhancements of the ReFH software you can:

• estimate ReFH model parameters from at-site event data to improve the estimation of both observed and design flood events
• optimise model parameters using observed data at the site in addition to the regional model relationships implemented within the spreadsheet. It is strongly recommended that local observed data are used where ever possible
• import, store and retrieve observed hydrometric data thus supporting all aspects of the ReFH methods
• build up a structured archive of observed flood events collected from different studies
• simulate the initial soil moisture content using an antecedent daily soil moisture accounting model
• estimate the attenuation of flood hydrographs by reservoirs through reservoir routing methods

The ReFH software is available for purchase from our online shop. A discounted educational version is available for teaching purposes at recognised academic institutions. New commercial purchases include six months support and maintenance from the date of purchase. Additional support and maintenance is provided to all users for an annual fee.

Technical specification for ReFH.