AbstractA lumped model for streamflow routing in arid ephemeral channels has been developed. The governing equations for movement of flood waves subjected to transmission losses are simplified through a time averaging process to develop an ordinary differential equation describing transmission losses as a function of distance, inflow, channel width, time parameters of flow and effective hydraulic conductivity. The resulting equation has an analytical solution and simulates runoff volume and peak discharge rates for individual storm events. The outflow hydrograph is fairly well approximated with a triangular approximation. The model is simplified and constructed to require a minimum of observed data for calibration. It can also be used for ungauged basins in arid regions through parameterization.