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General Method Slope Area

The slope-area method is used to estimate flood peaks and discharge when direct measurement is not possible. It requires measuring the cross-sectional area at the top and bottom of a straight river reach and the water surface slope between them. Additional intermediate cross-sections can help with accuracy. The slope and areas are used with the Manning's equation to calculate flow. Estimating the Manning's n roughness coefficient introduces uncertainty. Flood marks must be interpreted carefully as surges can cause inaccuracy in measured water surface slopes.

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88 views19 pages

General Method Slope Area

The slope-area method is used to estimate flood peaks and discharge when direct measurement is not possible. It requires measuring the cross-sectional area at the top and bottom of a straight river reach and the water surface slope between them. Additional intermediate cross-sections can help with accuracy. The slope and areas are used with the Manning's equation to calculate flow. Estimating the Manning's n roughness coefficient introduces uncertainty. Flood marks must be interpreted carefully as surges can cause inaccuracy in measured water surface slopes.

Uploaded by

Anonymous WNWk1h2
Copyright
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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1

Slope-area method of
flow measurement
John Fenwick
National Institute of Water & Atmospheric
Research Ltd
2
Slope-area
A method when nothing else will
work?
But also has application in
hydraulic calculations e.g. design
& construction of canals
3
Slope area
Uses the Manning
formula:
V= R
2/3
S
f
1/2
/n
(Q = Area x V)
some uncertainty in
estimating n
4
Slope area
good for estimating flood
peaks which cannot otherwise
be measured
5
Requirements
A suitable reach
A means of
defining/measuring surface
slope
Two (or more) cross-sections
with their areas measured, at
top and bottom of reach
(intermediate cross-sections
can be helpful)
6
A suitable reach..
Straight, long (> 5 x width)
Contain flow without overflow
Minimum of vegetation
Uniform cross-sections,
preferably slightly converging
7
Procedure
Select reach
Measure cross-sections
Measure slope
Estimate Manning n
Calculate, using appropriate
formula
8
Measure cross-
sections
Full flood waterway and beyond
Calculate areas
Calculate wetted perimeters and
hence hydraulic Radii (R)
9
Measure water-
surface slope
between cross-sections
Use pegged WLs, flood
marks?
10
WLs from flood-marks
Can be moderately accurate
Often, all you have
Needs some care in working
out
Trees and scrub bend down in
the flow and collect debris
Surge puts flood marks higher
than actual
The slope parameter is very
sensitive to the result, and
very subject to error
11
Floodmarks
Not easy to interpret
12
Not easy to find?
Sometimes
13
Accuracy of floodmarks
Flood marks are often elevated
above actual water-level
Force of water
Surge
14
Recorder can be one
section
..If it survives
Use recorder as top or bottom
section
Should give good accurate level
for that section
15
Rough river beds give another
set of problems
16
Peg slopes if you are
there
More accurate than using
floodmarks
Access can be difficult delays
can give wrong levels
17
Estimation of n
Use Hicks & Mason?
Gauge at other flow and back-
calculate n
18
Compile stage/n
curves from gaugings
Stage
n
bankfull
19
Slope-area exercise
Slope-area gauging card
Data sheet
Calculate, after assessing n

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