Lecture 6 - Hydraulic Geometry

Question 1

What is Q = VA ?

or Q = V x W x D

Answer 1

The continuity equation

Discharge = flow velocity x area

Question 2

What is the hydraulic geometry theory?

Answer 2

It is an empirical approach, based on data

It is to numerically analyse channel response with a changing Q (discharge)

Question 3

What can affect hydraulic geometry?

Answer 3

• River bank composition
• The river regime (flood events)
• Vegetation on river banks (grass/roots)

Question 4

How has human activity affected Hydraulic geometry?

Answer 4

1) bridges - promoting bed scour and narrowing of the channel

2) reservoirs - water storage

3) urbanisation - flash floods due to surface water runoff