PIMA COUNTY REGIONAL FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT

NORMAL FLOW DISCHARGE USING MANNING'S EQUATION

INTRODUCTION: Please read and understand the following important application notes regarding this spreadsheet:
This spreadsheet is best viewed using 1152 by 864 (or finer) screen resolution, and with EXCEL's horizontal and vertical column headings turned off. This will
maxamize the viewable extent of the worksheet at the "MANNING'S RATINGS" tab.
This spreadsheet calculates normal flow discharge given a channel slope, water surface elevation, ground profile across the channel (Sta & Elev data pairs), & Manning's roughness
coefficients corresponding to the ground profile. The water surface elevation or channel slope are varied to obtain, by trial-and-error, the desired discharge. Once this discharge is
achieved, the hydraulic characteristics for critical flow conditions given this discharge flowing through the entire cross section may be calculated. A cross section plot may be printed,
showing the flow elevation.
Macros are provided to develop ground profiles for simple geometric shapes. These shapes include rectangular, trapezoidal, parabolic, and circular channel sections. A triangular
channel section may be developed using the Macro for a trapezoidal section, by specifying a zero channel bottom width. The Macro for a trapezoidal channel allows different side slopes
for the left and right banks. A Macro is also provided for an irregular, natural channel section. This Macro will expand the number of spreadsheet rows to accomodate the number of
ground data points composing the natural channel section, after which the user must enter the sta, elev ground data. For irregular and for simple geometric shapes, the number of ground
points is determined by the Macro button selected. For simple geometric shapes, the Macro button also defines the channel banks. Once the ground profile is developed, the ground
data pairs, flow elevation, channel slope, channel bank stations, & roughness coefficient(s) may be edited by the user.
The ground profile for an irregular natural channel may contain a minimum of 7, and a maximum of 100 ground points, and within this profile, up to two channel segments may be
defined (CHNL 1 & CHNL 2). These channel segments should approximate simple geometric shapes, and will usually constitute the low-flow portion(s) of the natural conveyance. They
are defined by specifying the Stations corresponding to the left and right bank ground points, and a composite roughness coefficient for the channel(s). The spreadsheet automatically
assigns the Composite Channel n to the channel segments. See Roughness Coefficients tab for information regarding these coefficients.
The spredsheet automatically assigns the Overbank n to all portions of the ground profile which lie outside the bounds of the defined channel segment(s). This roughness coefficient,
as well as the composite channel roughness coefficients, may be overwritten (purple-shaded cells) by the user, for situations where the overbank exhibits significant variation in surface
conditions.
Within the defined channel segments, Manning's equation is applied without subdivision. In other words, the total flow area and wetted perimeter are evaluated for the defined channel
segment(s), and these characteristics supplied to Manning's equation, along with the composite roughness coefficient for the channel. Outside the bounds of the defined channel(s), the
spreadsheet calculates incremental discharge for each segment between ground points, and then sums these discharge increments to obtain the total overbank discharge.
SPREADSHEET IS FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHIN PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA WHICH IS PRESENTED TO THE PIMA COUNTY REGIONAL FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT (DISTRICT) FOR REVIEW.

USER MUST APPLY

blue shaded cells are for input data.

purple shaded cells are for optional input data.
brown shaded cells are autopupulated from other worksheets.
green shaded cells are intermediate calculation work areas.
yellow shaded cells are for final calculated output.

Excel
Notes:

Calc Notes:

ENGINEERING JUDGEMENT TO DETERMINE ACCURACY OF RESULTS.

screen resolution of 1152 x 864 w/o col/row headings will display worksheet on one screen.
to avoid "DIVIDE BY ZERO" ERROR, erase data using: RT CLK, CLEAR CONTENTS.
hidden rows and columns are red when displayed
spredsheet was developed in Excel 2003, and contains macros
V 11/12

PIMA COUNTY REGIONAL FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT

NORMAL FLOW DISCHARGE USING MANNING'S EQUATION

Chronology of Bug Fixes, Updates, Modifications, and Enhancements to the Normal Depth Analysis Spreadsheet
DATE
5/1/2009

12/31/2011

NOTES
Initial development of the spreadsheet by reference to a previously developed spreadsheet for manning's rating of an irregular section presented at a short course
provided to Pima County.
Added Macros to automatically expand the spreadsheet given the number of data pairs provided for an irregular channel section. Also developed Macros to enter ground
points for simple geometric shapes.
Added Macro to modify the axis limits and title of the cross section plot.

11/1/2012

Added Macro to calculate critical flow conditions for the normal flow discharge.
Added worksheet to calculate depth-area data for cross section.

V 11/12

NORMAL FLOW DISCHARGE USING MANNING'S EQUATION

Project Address
Preparer

Irregular Channel for Illustration

ADS

IRREGULAR
RECTANGULAR
TRAPEZOIDAL
PARABOLIC
CIRCULAR
69
2583.75
0.0100
CHNL SLOPE =
0.035
COMPOSITE CHNL n =
0.060
OVERBANK n =
CHNL 1
141.1
BANK STA LEFT =
244.6
BANK STA RIGHT =
DISCHARGE =
2078
STA (ft)
ELEV (ft)
n (dim)
NBR GROUND PNTS =
ASSUMED WSEL =

PNT

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69

71.1
74.8
79.0
82.3
89.7
97.1
101.2
117.3
122.7
130.2
141.1
143.2
162.6
170.0
173.0
180.9
184.9
188.4
194.5
196.8
197.8
198.7
204.4
206.1
220.6
223.0
231.7
233.9
240.6
244.6
249.8
256.6
258.2
264.4
267.9
271.7
278.4
323.1
325.8
330.0
337.6
342.0
345.6
349.1
351.8
353.7
355.7
358.8
359.8
360.7
363.6
365.8
367.9
381.0
391.8
399.1
401.5
402.9
412.1
414.2
417.6
419.2
438.7
444.4
455.1
457.9
462.0
464.0
467.8

2583.3
2583.0
2583.2
2583.0
2583.2
2583.0
2583.1
2582.7
2582.9
2582.7
2583.1
2582.9
2582.4
2582.3
2582.1
2582.1
2582.0
2581.6
2581.7
2581.6
2581.7
2581.7
2582.0
2581.9
2582.1
2582.2
2582.2
2582.5
2583.1
2583.4
2583.0
2583.5
2583.3
2583.4
2583.9
2583.5
2583.5
2582.2
2581.9
2582.2
2582.1
2581.9
2581.5
2581.6
2581.5
2581.6
2581.6
2581.5
2581.4
2581.5
2581.5
2581.5
2581.7
2582.5
2582.2
2582.2
2582.5
2582.5
2582.3
2582.4
2582.4
2582.5
2582.6
2582.8
2582.8
2582.5
2582.7
2582.8
2583.3

Elmin =
Elmax =

2581.4
2583.9

OVERBANK VALUES =
CHNL 1 VALUES =
CHNL 2 VALUES =
AVG SECTION VALUES =

0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.060

(min of 7, max of 100)

ft
ft/ft
dim
dim

Select approproate button to set up geometry & nbr of ground pnts. IRREGULAR button expands spreadsheet to nbr of gnd pnts, which may then
be entered in blue-shaded area. Other buttons develop gnd pnts & bank sta for simple cross sections. Then enter CHNL SLOPE, n & vary WSEL
to get desired normal flow DISCHARGE. CRIT FLOW button is effective once desired normal flow DISCHARGE is established, & applies to entire
cross section.

GOVERNING EQUATIONS:
Q = VA
R= A/P
V = (1.49 R0.66 S0.5) / n
F = V / (g A / T)0.5

CHNL 2
330.0 ft
381.0 ft

n=
A=
P=
R=
V=

Manning's roughness coefficient

flow area
wetted perimeter
hydraulic radius
flow velocity

D=
T=
Q=
g=
D=

cfs
OB

D A (ft2)
CH 1

CH 2

OB

2.3
2.9
2.2
5.1
5.1
2.8
13.2
5.0
7.1
9.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
2.9
3.7
0.6
2.5
0.4
0.4
1.9
41.8
4.7
7.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
14.8
11.2
3.4
1.7
12.3
2.9
4.5
2.0
23.3
6.0
10.2
3.1
4.6
2.0
2.8

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.6
21.6
10.2
4.5
12.9
6.9
6.8
12.8
4.9
2.1
1.8
10.9
3.1
25.7
3.9
13.3
3.0
6.4
2.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
12.4
7.8
7.5
7.8
6.0
4.2
4.3
6.8
2.3
2.0
6.5
5.0
4.5
21.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

3.7
4.2
3.3
7.4
7.4
4.1
16.1
5.4
7.5
10.9

CH 2

OB
240.3

FROUDE
NUMBER
0.00
0.80
0.83
0.69

CRIT FLOW

Discharge calc for an ASSUMED WSEL & CHNL SLOPE. Up to two chnls may be defined for an IRREGULAR section by providing BANK STA
LEFT, RIGHT. Manning's equ is not subdivided w/i defined chnl(s), where COMPOSITE CHNL n is used. Roughness coeff (n) automatically
entered in purple based on BANK STAs & COMPOSITE / OVERBANK n; this may be overwritten by preparer, but equations in purple area are
then lost.

CH 1

CH 2

5.2
6.8
1.6
6.2
2.5
2.6
6.7
44.7
2.7
4.2

OB

0.63
0.68
0.66
0.68
0.69
0.69
0.82
0.92
0.94
0.88

1.82
1.91
1.88
1.92
1.93
1.94
2.17
2.35
2.38
2.27

0.80
0.80
0.77
0.77
0.78
0.78
1.03
1.03
1.07
1.07

0.55
0.54
0.39
0.40
0.16
0.14
0.28
0.93
1.72
1.72

D (ft)
CH 1

10.8
7.3
2.4
1.4
9.2
2.1
3.4
1.6
19.5
5.7
10.7
2.8
4.1
2.0
3.8

CH 1

CH 2

OB

3.7
4.2
3.3
7.4
7.4
4.1
16.1
5.4
7.5
10.9

1.66
1.64
1.33
1.35
0.73
0.66
1.07
2.37
3.56
3.56

5.2
6.8
1.6
6.2
2.5
2.6
6.7
44.7
2.7
4.2
1.69
1.86
2.28
2.28
2.26
2.26
2.14
2.22
2.31
2.31
2.28
2.28
2.22
2.02

1.37
1.53
1.39
1.24
1.33
1.38
1.32
1.27
1.19
1.05
0.95
1.09
1.13
1.00
0.72

3.06
3.29
3.09
2.86
3.00
3.06
2.98
2.91
2.79
2.56
2.39
2.63
2.69
2.48
1.99

R (ft)

V (ft/s)

CH 2

51.1
395.0

0.94
1.49
1.92

0.00
5.54
6.57
4.34

1.51
1.55
1.55
1.25
1.44
1.44
1.32
1.32
1.22
1.16
0.95
1.24
1.24
1.02
0.98

10.8
7.3
2.4
1.4
9.2
2.1
3.4
1.6
19.5
5.7
10.7
2.8
4.1
2.0
3.8

CH 1

3
3
3
3
3
3
5
6
6
6

4.7
6.0
0.8
3.4
0.3
0.2
2.0
98.8
16.7
25.9

2
2
1
1
0
0
0
9
24
24

45.4
36.9
10.4
5.0
36.8
8.9
13.4
5.9
64.9
15.4
24.3
8.1
12.5
5.0
5.5

14
17
15
10
13
14
12
11
10
8
5
9
9
6
4

Q (cfs)

DV2

575
857
646
2078

0.0
67.4
99.9
43.5

7.6
4.4
3.6
3.5
2.7
1.9
2.0
3.1
1.0
0.9
2.9
2.2
2.1
13.1

MAXIMUM D (ft)
OB
1.89

4.3
5.5
4.1
9.7
9.9
5.5
28.6
11.7
16.9
21.8
2.1
19.4
7.4
3.0
7.9
4.0
3.5
6.1
2.3
1.0
0.9
5.7
1.7
14.5
2.4
8.7
2.2
6.7
4.0

0.77
0.77
0.48
0.48
0.32
0.27
0.29
1.57
1.89
1.89

7.6
4.4
3.6
3.5
2.7
1.9
2.0
3.1
1.0
0.9
2.9
2.2
2.1
13.1

103.6
98.3
478.9

V (ft/s)
OB

0.87
1.35
1.41
1.61
1.66
1.78
2.10
2.10
2.19
2.19
2.04
2.04
1.86
1.86
1.67
1.54
1.52
1.24
0.65

P (ft)

154.6

DR (ft)
OB

2.1
19.4
7.4
3.0
7.9
4.0
3.5
6.1
2.3
1.0
0.9
5.7
1.7
14.5
2.4
8.7
2.2
6.7
4.0

A (ft2)
OB
226.1

D P (ft)
CH 1

flow depth
topwidth
discharge
gravitational acceleration
denotes incremental value
V 11/12
Monday, July 27, 2015
D T (ft)
D Q cfs
DV2
CH 1
CH 2
OB
OB

T (ft)

CH 2

2.19

OB
240.0

CH 1

CH 2

103.5
2.31
2.31

51.0
394.5

Elevation (feet)

ADJUST SCALE

Irregular Channel for Illus

2590.00

2588.00

2586.00

2584.00

2582.00

2580.00
70.0

110.0

150.0

190.0

230.0

270.0

Station (feet)

ADJUST SCALE

Ground Points

nel for Illustration

.0

Assumed WSEL
Left Channel Pts
Right Channel Pts

270.0

Station (feet)

310.0

350.0

390.0

430.0

470.0

PROJ:
DETAIL:

Pima County FCD - Floodplain Hydraulics Short Course

Manning's Rating for Irregular Section

Section: Sample Section for Normal Depth Rating Workshop

Solution is for Manning's Equation for each section segment as follows:
Q = VA = 1.49 Rh^2/3 S^1/2
n

Calculation of discharge is for an assumed water surface elevation (WSEL) and given slope (SLOPE):
Number of Points in Section =

POINT STATION
#
(FT)
1
0
2
21
3
34
4
38
5
61
6
82
7
120
8
136
9
158
10
170
11
185
12
193

ELEV
(FT)
2420
2418
2416
2416
2418
2418
2416
2414
2414
2416
2418
2420

12.00

ASSUMED WSEL=
SLOPE =

"n"
value

"n"
value

A
(sq. ft)

WP
(feet)

Rh
(feet)

V
(ft/sec)

Dmax
(feet)

T
(feet)

Dh
(feet)

Froude
#

Q
(cfs)

0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.06
0.06

0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06

0.00
10.53
7.20
18.63
0.00
30.78
44.80
83.60
33.60
12.15
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

0.00
11.84
4.00
20.78
0.00
34.25
16.12
22.00
12.17
13.62
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

0.00
0.89
1.80
0.90
0.00
0.90
2.78
3.80
2.76
0.89
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

0.00
2.48
3.98
2.50
0.00
2.50
10.62
13.08
10.58
2.49
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

0.00
1.80
1.80
1.80
0.00
1.80
3.80
3.80
3.80
1.80
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

0.0
11.7
4.0
20.7
0.0
34.2
16.0
22.0
12.0
13.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

0.00
0.90
1.80
0.90
0.00
0.90
2.80
3.80
2.80
0.90
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

0.00
0.46
0.52
0.46
0.00
0.46
1.12
1.18
1.11
0.46
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

0.0
26.2
28.6
46.5
0.0
77.0
475.7
1093.7
355.4
30.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

241.29

134.77

1.79

8.84

134.1

1.80

1.16

2133

TOTAL SECTION VALUES =

Legend:

NOTES:

"n" =
A=
WP =
Rh =
V=
Dmax =
T=
Dh =
Q=

2417.80
0.0118

Manning's roughness coefficient

flow area
wetted perimeter
hydraulic radius
flow velocity
maximum flow depth
topwidth
hydraulic flow depth = A/T
discharge

Segment Q shown is for segment between indicated point and previous point
"Total" Section value for V (velocity) is average for entire section

Cross-Section Plot
2421

Elevation (feet)

2420
2419
2418
2417
2416
2415
2414
2413
2412
2411
0

40

80

120
Station (feet)
Cross-Section

160

200

PIMA COUNTY REGIONAL FLOOD CONT

NORMAL FLOW DISCHARGE USING MANN
Irregular Channel for Illustration
ADS
depth
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2.1
2.2
2.3

ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft

area
0.00
0.84
3.89
8.39
13.89
21.78
32.59
46.84
64.17
85.27
110.81
139.29
172.37
208.62
248.85
292.05
336.90
383.54
431.11
478.94

ft
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
ft2
2

Project Address
Preparer

Depth-Area button calculates depth - area table.

This table considers only the cross section geometry
The depth - area table is unaffected by discharge, ch
worksheet. Maximum number of table entries is 20.

TY REGIONAL FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT

W DISCHARGE USING MANNING'S EQUATION
Project Address
Preparer

DEPTH - AREA

culates depth - area table.

nly the cross section geometry as entered in columns C & D of the Manning's Rating worksheet.
e is unaffected by discharge, channel definitions, or roughness coefficients entered on the Manning's
number of table entries is 20.