Segment V10.3: Uniform Channel Flow

(Related to Textbook Section 10.4.2 - The Chezy and Manning Equations)

The Manning Equation is used to determine the constant-depth flowrate in a straight channel with constant slope and constant cross-section.

Although the geometry for many man-made channels is sufficiently uniform to allow the use of the Manning equation, the irregularity of many channels (especially natural ones) makes the use of the Manning equation a rough approximation at best. Curves in the channel, variable flowrate along the channel (as with rainwater runoff into a gutter), or irregular channel cross-section may cause the calculated flowrates to be quite different than the actual flowrate.