Deterministic Modeling

A deterministic model uses physical characteristics and numerical representations of physical processes like rainfall, infiltration, runoff, and detention basin and river routing to estimate peak flows.  The driving force behind a deterministic model is the rainfall depth and rate (intensity).

The rational method and HEC-1 (now HMS) are two common deterministic models that will be used to describe these processes.  Most other numerical models are similar in nature to the methods used by these two.