This is a hydrological model that converts rainfall precipitat ion inputs, usually in the form of a hyetograph, into runoff or streamflow values. Such models are usually in two parts – a loss model, followed by a routing model. Rainfall-runoff models are usually implemented as calculations within computer packages.
Much of the rainfall is evaporated and absorbed as soil water or groundwater, and the remainder becomes runoff. In urban areas, most of the rainfall runs off impervious areas, while infiltration occurs on pervious areas.