OPEN CHANNEL DESIGN

Version 2_00 Released December 2007

City of Springfield Department of Public Works
Springfield, Missouri
*** DRAFT ***
Purpose: This workbook aids in determining channel cross sectional dimensions and flow capacity.

Function: 1. To apply the Manning's formula to calculate normal flow condition.

2. To calculate critical flow condition.

3. To determine the height of a drop structure.

4. To design a grass-lined channel cross-section.

5. To select rock size for riprap-lined channel cross-section.

6. To calculate the conveyance capacity for a composite (two-stage) channel section.

7. To determine the flow characteristics in a supercritical steep channel.

Content: The workbook consists of the following 8 sheets:

Intro Describes the purpose of each sheet in the workbook.

Basics Applies Manning's formula to analyze the normal flow condition, and
applies Froude Number Fr = 1.0 to determine the critical flow condition.

Channel Design Aids in designing a grass channel with drop structures.

Riprap Aids in the design of a riprap-lined channel.

Composite Design Aids in designing a composite (two-stage) channel section.

Composite Analysis Aids in analyzing an existing composite (two-stage) channel section.

Steep Channel Aids in the design of concrete lined supercritical-flow channels.

Design Info Provides recommended Manning's n values for low-flow section and overbanks in composite channels.

Acknowledgements: This spreadsheet was originally designed by the Denver Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD)
and has been modified by the City of Springfield to reflect local criteria and policies with the permission
of the UDFCD. The original UDFCD spreadsheet development team was comprised of:
Dr. James C.Y. Guo, P.E.
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
University of Colorado at Denver
Ken A. MacKenzie, P.E.
Urban Drainage and Flood Control District
Wright Water Engineers, Inc. (WWE)
Denver, Colorado
Modifications to the spreadsheet to reflect City of Springfield criteria and policies were made by WWE with
consultation and peer review by the City of Springfield, MO.

Comments? Direct all comments regarding this spreadsheet workbook to: Todd Wagner E-Mail
twagner@springfieldmo.gov
Revisions? Check for revised versions of this or any other workbook at: Downloads
http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/egov/publicworks/storm_water/manual.html

731039545.xls, Intro 02/29/2024, 08:03:03

 Normal Flow Analysis - Trapezoidal Channel
*** DRAFT ***
Project:
Channel ID:

Design Information (Input)

Channel Invert Slope So = ft/ft
Manning's n n=
Bottom Width B= ft
Left Side Slope Z1 = ft/ft
Right Side Slope Z2 = ft/ft
Freeboard Height F= ft
Design Water Depth Y= ft

Normal Flow Condtion (Calculated)

Discharge Q= cfs
Froude Number Fr =
Flow Velocity V= fps
Flow Area A= sq ft
Top Width T= ft
Wetted Perimeter P= ft
Hydraulic Radius R= ft
Hydraulic Depth D= ft
Specific Energy Es = ft
Centroid of Flow Area Yo = ft
Specific Force Fs = kip

731039545.xls, Flow Analysis 02/29/2024, 08:03:03

 Critical Flow Analysis - Trapezoidal Channel
*** DRAFT ***
Project:
Channel ID:

Design Information (Input)

Bottom Width B= ft
Left Side Slope Z1 = ft/ft
Right Side Slope Z2 = ft/ft
Design Discharge Q= cfs

Critical Flow Condition (Calculated)

Critical Flow Depth Y= ft
Critical Flow Area A= sq ft
Critical Top Width T= ft
Critical Hydraulic Depth D= ft
Critical Flow Velocity V= fps
Froude Number Fr =
Critical Wetted Perimeter P= ft
Critical Hydraulic Radius R= ft
Critical (min) Specific Energy Esc= ft
Centroid on the Critical Flow Area Yoc= ft
Critical (min) Specific Force Fsc= kip

731039545.xls, Flow Analysis 02/29/2024, 08:03:03

 Design of Trapezoidal Grass-Lined Channel
Project:
Channel ID:

*** DRAFT ***

Channel Input Parameters

Design Discharge Qd = cfs
Design Discharge Return Period Yeard = years
Existing Ground Slope Along Channel Centerline So = ft/ft
25-Year Discharge Q25 = cfs
2-Year Discharge Q2 = cfs
Left Side Slope (H:V) Z1 = ft/ft
Right Side Slope (H:V) Z2 = ft/ft
Min Manning's n (max velocity and Fr # check) nmin = See "Design Info" tab for
Max Manning's n (min velocity and capacity check) nmax = recommended Manning's n values.
Grass Channel Lining Type (sets max velocity) Select One
User-Defined Bottom Width B= ft

Maximum Allowable Longitudinal Slope Smax = ft/ft (based on Q25, nmin, & channel lining)
User-Defined Longitudinal Slope Suser = ft/ft (min of 0.004 to prevent ponding)
Drop Height per 100 ft D= ft/ 100 ft

Proposed Channel Conditions (Calculated)

25-Year Discharge Flow Depth Required
(using Q25 and nmin) (using Q25 and nmax)
25-Year Flow Depth Y= ft Y= ft
25-Year Flow Velocity Vmax= fps V= fps
25-Year Top Width T= ft T= ft
25-Year Flow Area A= sq ft A= sq ft
25-Year Froude Number Frmax = Fr =
25-Year Wetted Perimeter P= ft P= ft
25-Year Hydarulic Radius R= ft R= ft

2-Year Discharge
(using Q2 and nmax)
2-Year Flow Depth Y= ft
2-Year Flow Velocity Vmin= fps
2-Year Top Width T= ft
2-Year Flow Area A= sq ft
2-Year Froude Number Fr =
2-Year Wetted Perimeter P= ft
2-Year Hydarulic Radius R= ft

Design Discharge
(using Qd and navg)
Design Discharge Flow Depth YD = ft
Design Discharge Flow Velocity VD = fps
Design Discharge Top Width TD = ft
Design Discharge Flow Area AD = sq ft
Design Discharge Froude Number Fr D=
Design Discharge Wetted Perimeter PD = ft
Design Discharge Hydarulic Radius RD= ft

731039545.xls, Grass Channel 02/29/2024, 08:03:03

 A B C D E F
1
2 Design of Riprap Channel Cross Section
3
4 Project:
5 Channel ID:
6 *** DRAFT ***
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 Design Information (Input)
15 Channel Invert Slope So = ft/ft
16 Bottom Width B= ft
17 Left Side Slope Z1 = ft/ft
18 Right Side Slope Z2 = ft/ft
19 Specific Gravity of Rock (minimum of 2.6) Gs =
20 Radius of Channel Centerline (enter 0 for straight channel) rc = ft
21 Design Disharge Q= cfs
22
23 Flow Condition (Calculated)
24 Riprap Type (Straight Channel) Type =
25 Intermediate Rock Diameter (Straight Channel) D50 = inches
26 Calculated Manning's n (Straight Channel) min-n =
27 Riprap Type (Outside Bend of Curved Channel) Type =
28 Intermediate Rock Dia. (O.B. of Curved Channel) D50 = inches
29 Calculated Manning's n (O.B. of Curved Channel) min-n =
30 Water Depth Y= ft
31 Top Width of Flow T= ft
32 Flow Area A= sq ft
33 Wetted Perimeter P= ft
34 Hydraulic Radius (A/P) R= ft
35 Average Flow Velocity (Q/A) V= fps
36 Hydraulic Depth (A/T) D= ft
37 Froude Number (max. = 0.8) Fr =
38 Channel Radius / Top Width rc /T =
39 Riprap Design Velocity Factor For Curved Channel Kv =
40 Riprap Sizing Velocity For Curved Channel VKv = fps
41 Minimum Riprap Sizing Paramenter for Straight Channel K=
42 Minimum Riprap Sizing Paramenter for Outside Bend of Curve Kcurve =
43 Superelevation (dh) dh = ft
44 Required channel depth (based on max n value) Yrequired= ft
45 Total channel depth including superelevation Ytotal= ft
46 Discharge (Check) Q= cfs
47
48
49
50

51

52

53

54 Minimum Requirements for Riprap Sizing

55 Range of K, Kcurve Riprap D50
56 < 3.3 VL 6 inch
57 > 3.3 to < 4.0 L 9 inch
58 > 4.0 to < 4.6 M 12 inch
59 > 4.6 to < 5.6 H 18 inch
60 > 5.6 to 6.4 VH 24 inch

731039545.xls, Riprap 02/29/2024, 08:03:03

 A B C D E F G H I J K
1

2 Design of Composite Channel

3 *** DRAFT ***
4 Project:
5 Channel ID:
6
7 N-left N-lf N-right
8
Left Overbank Area Low Flow Channel Right Overbank Area
9
10
11
1 1
ZL Yob
12 ZR
13 Z1 Y Yc Z2
14
Alternate 1 1 Ym
Overbank
15
Toe Protection
16
17
18
19 BL Bm BR
20
21
22 Design Information (Input)
23 2-Year Discharge - Total Q-2yr = cfs Left Overbank Side Slope ZL = ft/ft 0
24 25-Year Discharge - Total Q-25yr = cfs Left Overbank Manning's n (min) n-min-L = 0
25 0.00 Design Discharge - Low Flow Channel Qlf = cfs Left Overbank Manning's n (max) n-max-L = 0
26 Low Flow Channel Left Side Slope Z1 = ft/ft Left Overbank Channel Lining Type
27 Low Flow Channel Right Side Slope Z2 = ft/ft Right Overbank Side Slope ZR = ft/ft 0
28 0.00 Low Flow Channel Manning's n (min) n-min-lf = Right Overbank Manning's n (min) n-min-R = 0
29 0.00 Low Flow Channel Manning's n (max) n-max-lf = Right Overbank Manning's n (max) n-max-R = 0
30 Low Flow Channel Lining Type Right Overbank Channel Lining Type
31 Low Flow Channel Bank-full depth Ym = ft Overbank Flow Depth Yob = (Y - Ym) Yob = ft
32 Low Flow Channel Bottom Width Bm = ft
33 Longitudinal Channel Invert Slope So = ft/ft Left overbank width as a % of total overbank width %
34
35
36 Flow Condition (Calculated)
37 0.00 Channel Invert Slope So = ft/ft
38
39 Low Flow Channel Condition for Qd Middle Section Bank-Full Flow Condition for Q25
40 Channel Bottom Width Bm = ft Low Flow Channel Bottom Width Bm = ft
41 Channel Normal Flow Depth Ym = ft Top width Tm = ft
42 Top width Tlf = ft Flow area Am = sq ft
43 Flow area Alf = sq ft Wetted perimeter Pm = ft
44 Wetted perimeter Plf = ft Discharge (based on max n) Qm = cfs
45 Discharge (based on max n) Qlf = cfs Max Velocity check (based on min n) Vm = fps 0.00
46 0.00 Min Velocity check (based on max n) Vlf = fps Froude # (based on min n) Frm = 0.00
47 Froude number (based on min n) Fr-lf = 25-Yr. Critical Velocity (min n) Vmc = fps
48 25-Yr. Critical Depth (min n) Ymc = ft
49
50 Left Overbank Flow Condition for Q25 Right Overbank Flow Condition for Q25
51 Overbank Bench Width BL = ft Overbank Bench Width BR = ft
52 Normal Depth in Overbanks YLob = ft Normal Depth in Overbanks YRob = ft
53 Top width TL = ft Top width TR = ft
54 Flow area AL = sq ft Flow area AR = sq ft
55 Wetted perimeter PL = ft Wetted perimeter PR = ft
56 Discharge (based on max n) QL = cfs Discharge (based on max n) QR = cfs
57 0.00 Max Velocity Check (based on min n) VL = fps Max Velocity check (based on min n) VR = fps 0.00
58 0.00 Froude # (based on min n) FrL = Froude # (based on min n) FrR = 0.00
59 25-Yr. Critical Velocity (min n) VLc = fps 25-Yr. Critical Velocity (min n) VRc = fps
60 25-Yr. Critical Depth in Overbanks (min n) YLc = ft 25-Yr. Critical Depth in Overbanks (min n) YRc = ft
61
62 Composite Cross-Section Bank-Full Flow Condition for Q25
63 Top width T= ft Discharge (based on max n) Q= cfs
64 Channel Depth Y Y= ft Max Velocity check (based on min n) V= fps
65 Flow area A= sq ft Froude number (based on min n) Fr =
66 Wetted perimeter P= ft 25-Yr. Critical Velocity (min n) Vc = fps
67 Composite Manning's n (Calculated) n-min = 25-Yr. Critical Depth in Overbanks (min n) Yc = ft
68 Composite Manning's n (Calculated) n-max =
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80

731039545.xls, Composite Design 02/29/2024, 08:03:03

 A B C D E F G H I J K

2 Analysis of Composite Channel

3 *** DRAFT ***
4 Project:
5 Channel ID:
6
7 N-left N-lf N-right
8
Left Overbank Area Low Flow Channel Right Overbank Area
9
10
11
1 1
ZL Yob
12 ZR
13 Z1 Y Yc Z2
14
Alternate 1 1 Ym
Overbank
15
Toe Protection
16
17
18
19 BL Bm BR
20
21
22 Design Information (Input) Left Overbank Bottom Width BL = ft
23 0 Channel Invert Slope So = ft/ft Left Overbank Side Slope ZL = ft/ft 0.00
24 Low Flow Channel Bottom Width Bm = ft Left Overbank Manning's n (min) n-min-L = 0.00
25 0.00 Low Flow Channel Left Side Slope Z1 = ft/ft Left Overbank Manning's n (max) n-max-L = 0.00
26 0.00 Low Flow Channel Right Side Slope Z2 = ft/ft Left Overbank Channel Lining Type
27 0.00 Low Flow Channel Manning's n (min) n-min-lf = Right Overbank Bottom Width BR = ft
28 0.00 Low Flow Channel Manning's n (max) n-max-lf = Right Overbank Side Slope ZR = ft/ft 0.00
29 Low Flow Channel Lining Type Right Overbank Manning's n (min) n-min-R = 0.00
30 Low Flow Channel Bank-full depth Ym = ft Right Overbank Manning's n (max) n-max-R = 0.00
31 Overbank Flow Depth Yob (Y - Ym) Yob = ft Right Overbank Channel Lining Type
32
33
34 Low Flow Channel Condition for Qd Middle Section Bank-Full Flow Condition
35 Top width Tlf = ft Top width Tm = ft
36 Flow area Alf = sq ft Flow area Am = sq ft
37 Wetted perimeter Plf = ft Wetted perimeter Pm = ft
38 Discharge (based on max n) Qlf = cfs Discharge (based on max n) Qm = cfs
39 0.00 Min Velocity check (based on max n) Vlf= fps Max Velocity check (based on min n) Vm = fps 0.00
40 0.00 Froude number (based on min n) Fr-lf = Froude # (based on min n) Frm = 0.00
41 Qd Critical Velocity (min n) Vlfc = fps Critical Velocity (min n) Vmc = fps
42 Qd Critical Depth (min n) Ylfc = ft Critical Depth (min n) Ymc = ft
43
44 Left Overbank Flow Condition Right Overbank Flow Condition
45 Top width TL = ft Top width TR = ft
46 Flow area AL = sq ft Flow area AR = sq ft
47 Wetted perimeter PL = ft Wetted perimeter PR = ft
48 Discharge (based on max n) QL = cfs Discharge (based on max n) QR = cfs
49 0.00 Max Velocity Check (based on min n) VL = fps Max Velocity check (based on min n) VR = fps 0.00
50 0.00 Froude # (based on min n) FrL = Froude # (based on min n) FrR = 0.00
51 Critical Velocity (min n) VLc = fps Critical Velocity (min n) VRc = fps
52 Critical Depth in Overbanks (min n) YLc = ft Critical Depth in Overbanks (min n) YRc = ft
53
54 Composite Cross-Section Bank-Full Flow Condition
55 Top width T= ft Discharge (based on max n) Q= cfs
56 Channel Depth Y Y= ft Max Velocity check (based on min n) V= fps 0.00
57 Flow area A= sq ft Froude number (based on min n) Fr = 0.00
58 Wetted perimeter P= ft Critical Velocity (min n) Vc = fps
59 Composite Manning's n (Calculated) n-min = Critical Depth in Overbanks (min n) Yc = ft
60 Composite Manning's n (Calculated) n-max =
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72

731039545.xls, Composite Analysis 02/29/2024, 08:03:03

 A B C D E F G
1
2 Analysis of Steep (Supercritical Flow) Channel
3 (for concrete-lined channels only)
4 Project:
5 Channel ID:
6 *** DRAFT ***
7

9
10 Design Information (Input)
11 Design discharge Q= cfs
12 Bottom width B= ft
13 Side slope Z= ft/ft
14 Channel slope So = ft/ft
15 Channel Manning's n (Minimum) n-min =
16
17 Y/B Ratio (Calculated)
18 Flow depth to width ratio (Y/B) Y* =
19 Value of k = (1+z^2)^0.5 k=
20 Wetted perimeter (P/B) P* =
21 Top width (T/B) T* =
22 Flow area (A/B^2) A* =
23 Max. Froude number without roll waves F* =
24 Limiting discharge parameter Q* =
25 Max. discharge without roll waves Q-limit = cfs
26 Calculated discharge in channel (check) Q-design = cfs
27
28 Roll Wave Height (Calculated)
29 Limiting flow condition at section 1 (upstream of the jump)
30 Limiting Froude number (F*) F1 =
31 Normal depth upstream of the jump = Y*B Y1= ft
32 Depth to the centroid of A1 = 0.5(Y1) Y1-bar= ft
33 Flow area upstream of the jump = A*B^2 A1 = sq ft
34 Flow velocity upstream of the jump = Q/A1 V1 = fps
35 Required freeboard w/o roll waves= 2+0.025*V1*Y1^0.33 Fb = ft
36 Pulsating flow condition with roll waves at section 2 (downstream of the jump)
37 Froude number for Q-design: F2 =
38 Flow depth downstream of the jump = Y1+h Y2 = ft
39 Depth to the centroid of A2 = 0.5(Y2) Y2-bar= ft
40 Flow area downstream of the jump A2 = sq ft
41 Calculations of roll waves
42 Wave speed Vw = fps
43 Flow velocity downstream of the jump V2 = fps
44 Wave celerity = Vw-V2 C= fps
45 Calculated roll wave height h= ft
46 Check the solutions by momentum principle
47 Force upstream of jump = ((Vw-V1)*(V2-V1)) Force-u/s = lb's
48 Force downstream of jump = (g*(Y2-bar -A1/A2*Y1-bar)) Force-d/s = lb's
49
50 Required channel depth = max.(Y1+Fb, Y1+h, Y1+0.5') Y-req. = ft
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60

731039545.xls, Steep Channel 02/29/2024, 08:03:03

 Recommended Values for Manning's n in Channels and Overflow Bank Areas

Channel Lining Minimum Average Maximum

Earthen 0.020 0.025 0.030
Mowed Grass 0.025 0.030 0.035
Grass - not mowed 0.030 0.035 0.040
Grass with Brush/Trees 0.040 0.050 0.060
Cobble Bottom, Grass/Root Side 0.030 0.040 0.050
Concrete - smooth 0.012 0.013 0.015
Concrete - rough 0.015 0.017 0.020
Riprap d50 = 6 inches 0.032 0.035 0.038
Riprap d50 = 9 inches 0.035 0.038 0.040
Riprap d50 = 12 inches 0.038 0.040 0.042
Riprap d50 = 18 inches 0.040 0.042 0.044
Riprap d50 = 24 inches 0.042 0.044 0.047
Grouted Boulders 0.025 0.032 0.040

Design Velocity Limitations for Open Channels with Various Linings

Minimum Velocity Maximum Velocity

(fps) (fps)
Channel Lining 2-year check 25-year check
Grass, seed and mulch 2 4
Grass, sod 2 6
Grass, turf reinforcement mat (TRM) 2 8
Grass, pre-vegetated TRM 2 10
Rip rap 5 12
Manufactured hard lining 5 12
Concrete 5 18

731039545.xls, Design Info 02/29/2024, 08:03:03