What does 'Q p' represent in the context of peak rate of runoff?

In the context of peak rate of runoff, 'Q p' is a term that specifically refers to the peak discharge or flow rate at which water is expected to run off a given area during a rainfall event. When discussing units of measurement for such flow rates, cubic feet per second is a standard unit used in hydrology to quantify the volume of water moving past a given point over time. This unit precisely reflects how much water is flowing in the channels, ditches, or pipes during peak conditions.

The other options, while related to water and runoff in various contexts, do not specifically represent the concept of peak discharge. For instance, acres refer to an area measurement and are not indicative of flow rate. Cubic meters could represent volume, but it does not specify a rate over time, which is essential when discussing peak runoff. Gallons per minute is another flow rate unit but is less common in engineering contexts compared to cubic feet per second, making it less relevant for standard peak flow calculations in land and stormwater management.