A FAST METHOD OF FLOOD DISCHARGE ESTIMATION

A fast method of flood discharge estimation is presented. The velocity-area method, which determines discharge as the product of the cross-sectional area multiplied by mean velocity is applied to estimate the flood discharge. Only a few velocity measurements on the y-axis are necessary to estimate flood discharge. Once the relationship of mean and maximum velocities is established, the flood estimation can be determined efficiently. The method can be applied in both high and low flows in rivers. Available laboratory flume and stream-flow data are used to illustrate accuracy and reliability.