Stage-Discharge Prediction for Straight and Smooth Compound Channels with Wide Floodplains

A modified expression to predict the boundary shear distribution in compound channels is derived and is found to provide significant improved results. The practical method to predict the stage-discharge relationship uses the one-dimensional (ID) approach by taking due care of the momentum transfer. The proposed approach is tested for its validity using available experimental data. Error statistics including standard error and coefficient of determination (R-2) are applied to ascertain the effectiveness of the model. The method also gives satisfactory results when applied to two sets of natural river data. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0000491. (C) 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.