OPEN CHANNEL

The Chezy Formula

■ The Chezy’s formula was given by the French

hydrologist Antonie Chezy. He related the discharge (Q)
of the water flowing through an open channel with the
respective channel dimensions and slope of the bed.
Determining The Chezy Formula

■ An empirical formula relating river discharge (Q) to

channel dimensions and water surface
slope. Q = AC√(rS), where A is the cross-sectional area
of the river, C is the Chezy discharge coefficient, r is the
hydraulic radius, and S is the slope of the water surface.
This formula is useful for extending river-flow rating
curves.
Roughness Coefficient

■ Roughness coefficients represent the resistance to flow

in channels and floodplains. Roughness is usually
presented in the form of a Manning’s n value.

■ n = Manning’s Roughness Coefficient

Determining Roughness Formula

■ Manning’s Equation

Wher
Q = Flow Rate, (ft3/s)

v = Velocity, (ft/s)

■ A = Flow Area, (f n = Manning’s Roughness R = Hydraulic

Radius S = Channel Slope, (ft/ft)