1. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation’s
Directorate for Education and Human Resources (TUES-1245025, IUSE-
1612248, IUSE-1725347). Questions, contact education-AT-unavco.org
CHANNEL CAPACITY AND FLOODS
Manning’s Equation
2. FLOODS, CHANNEL CAPACITY TOPOGRAPHY
The shape of the channel and adjacent terrain
are simultaneously sculpted by water, and
determine how much water the channel can
carry
3. PREDICTING FLOOD RISK REQUIRES …
1. Measurements of channel and
floodplain topography
Geodesy!!
2. Physics-based calculations of
channel capacity. How much
water can a channel carry.
Manning’s Equation
𝑸 =
𝒄
𝒏
𝑹𝟐 𝟑𝑺𝟏 𝟐𝑨
5. BASIC PHYSICS OF FLOW IN CHANNELS
1. Water flows downhill
2. Conservation of mass, energy,
and momentum are obeyed
3. Channel properties provide
resistance to flow
4. Properties of flow (depth and
velocity) emerge as points 1, 2,
and 3 find balance
6. MANNING’S EQUATION BASIC CONCEPTS
1. Water flows down hill (slope)
along a potential energy gradient
Assumption: The potential energy
gradient equals bed slope, S
z
u
x
𝑆 =
𝑑𝑧
𝑑𝑥
7. MANNING’S EQUATION BASIC CONCEPTS
2. Mass, energy, and momentum
are conserved leading to flow at the
“normal depth” under steady state,
uniform conditions
z
u
x
Steady-state: Velocity (u) and depth (z) do
not change in time
Uniform: Velocity (u) and depth (h) do not
change in space
𝑑𝑧
𝑑𝑡
= 0,
𝑑𝑢
𝑑𝑡
= 0
𝑑𝑧
𝑑𝑥
= 0,
𝑑𝑢
𝑑𝑥
= 0
8. MANNING’S EQUATION BASIC CONCEPTS
3. Channel properties impose
resistance to flow
Channel shape
Sinuosity
Bed roughness
Turbulence
…act together to impose an
upstream resisting force
9. MANNING’S EQUATION BASIC CONCEPTS
4. Depth and Velocity of flow in a channel
adjust themselves is response to input
flow rate, Q, energy gradient, S, and
channel properties that cause resistance—
all expressed in Manning’s equation
z
u
x
𝑢 =
𝑄
𝐴
=
𝑐
𝑛
𝑅2 3
𝑆1 2
Energy gradient driving flow. Note, the square root
on the energy gradient is caused by turbulence
Channel properties providing resistance
11. MANNING’S EQUATION PROBLEM
Determine the bankfull discharge, Q, of a mountain stream with a
channel shape that can be approximated by a trapezoid shown
below. The stream bed has a slope of 0.003, and is composed of
gravels, cobbles, and a few boulders.
Depth = 0.5
Bottom width = 4m
2m
2m
(not to scale)
Notes de l'éditeur
DO REMEMBER to include attribution information for all the figures you include. Even if you took the picture or made the diagram, it will make it easier later if we just have that recorded.
ALSO – it is much easier to make notes (at least preliminary ones) for each slide NOW compared to several months later. Think about the information that future instructors using this materials will need to know in order to understand what the point of the different slides are. If all the relevant text is on the slide, notes may not be necessary, BUT if there are images, most likely some notes will be needed for future users.
Intstructor Notes: Emphasize that river channels and floodplains are naturally adjusted to accommodate moderate high flows that occur every couple of years. Higher flows spill onto floodplains. Topography determines the extent of flooding for any given flow.
Instructor Notes: These concepts define the learning objectives of this unit. Students will be introduced to basic topographic measurement techniques with and emphasis on channel form, and use Manning’s equation to compute flow rates for specified channel depths. Variables in Manning’s Equation are explained later
Credit: Steve Holnbeck, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center. Public domain. https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/ground-point-survey-total-station-measure-depth-streambed
Instructor Notes: Manning’s equation can simply be presented as is, or be developed with a few slides about open channel flow physics.
Instructors notes: Explain that the physics of open channel flow are quite complicated, Manning’s equation is an example of how these principles come together. Full development of open channel flow physics is beyond the slope of this Unit
Photo by James McNamara
In these slides
In these slides
Instructors Note: Force balance is a critical concept in geomorphology.