Factors Affecting Manning's

The value of n is highly variable and depends on a number of factors, which are to some extent
interdependent. The factors that exert the greatest influence upon Manning's n in both natural and
artificial channels are briefly described below.
i) Roughness of the surface: The value of Manning's n depends on the roughness of the surface
which in turn depends on the size and shape of the grains of the material forming the channel
perimeter. In general, fine-grained soils (e.g. clay, silt and sand) result in a low value of n and coarse-
grained soils (e.g. gravels and boulders) result in a high value of n.
ii) Vegetation: The presence of vegetation in a channel retards the flow and increases n depending
on the height, density, distribution and type of vegetation. Owing to the seasonal growth of aquatic
plants, the value of n may increase in the growing season and diminish in the dormant season.
iii) Channel irregularity: Channel irregularities include sand bars, depressions, holes, humps, etc.
and increase the value of n.
iv) Channel alignment: The value of n is low for straight channels and high for curved channels and
increases with the curvature of the channel.
v) Silting and scouring: In general, silting converts an irregular channel into a regular one and
decreases n, whereas scouring does the reverse and increases n.
vi) Obstruction: The presence of obstructions like logs, bridge piers, boats, ships, launches, steamers
etc. tends to increase n depending on the size, shape, number and distribution of the obstructions.
vii) Stage and discharge: The value of n generally decreases with increase in stage and discharge.
However, the value of n may be high when the flood plains in a river are submerged at high stages.
viii) Suspended material and bed load: The suspended material and bed load cause an increase in
Manning's n because additional energy is required to move the sediment.