Culvert Hydraulic Calculations

Overview

The hydraulic calculations from the culvert outlet to the culvert headwater immediately
upstream of the inlet are based on the conservation of energy and mass. This is described in
the basic energy balance equation:

Where:
y = Depth (ft, m)
V = Velocity (ft/s, m/s)
Z = Change in elevation (ft,m)
TW = Tailwater
HW = Headwater
g = Accceleration due to gravity (ft/s2)
In most cases the approach velocity (VHW) is low and the approach velocity head is neglected.
Similarly the exit velocity can be neglected in the energy equation if the upstream and
downstream channels are similar, reducing the energy equation to:

FishXing assumes the headwater (approach) velocity and tailwater velocity are zero and does
not include bend losses, junction losses, or grate losses. For determining water depths within
the culvert, FishXing solves the appropriate form of the energy equation using a step method.
Solutions are obtained at regular intervals throughout the culvert.
Below is an outline of the generalized procedure used in FishXing for determining the water
surface profile and water velocities within a culvert at a specific flow:
1.

Determine the Tailwater Elevation at the desired flow.

2.

Determine Boundary Conditions for solving the Gradually Varied Flow equations.

o Determine Hydraulic Slope (Mild, Steep, Adverse, Horizontal, Full Flow)

o

Determine Curve Type (Type 1, 2, or 3) based on Hydraulic Slope and

Tailwater depth

Determine if Free Surface Outlet conditions apply. If so,

o
3.

Calculate the location near the outlet that flow switches

from Gradually Varied Flow to Rapidly Varying Flow conditions.

Determine the water depth at the Free Surface Outlet.

Determine starting location and depth for the downstream and/or upstream
boundary.

Solve the Gradually Varied Flow or Full Flow equations to obtain a water surface
profile through the culvert.
o

Use backwater calculations for non-steep slopes or backwatered steep

slope culverts.

Use frontwater calculations for steep slopes.

For steep slopes, check for a Hydraulic Jump within the culvert.

4.

Determine Headwater Depth based on energy losses within the culvert.

5.

Calculate average cross sectional water velocities within the culvert and
the Contraction Velocity within the Inlet Zone.

6.

Calculate Outlet Plunge characteristics.

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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w.htm

Classification of Water Surface Profiles

The water surface profile within a culvert can be classified two different ways:
1. Hydraulic Slope, which is based on the slope of the culvert bottom and
2. Hydraulic Curve, which is based on the relationship of the water depth relative to
critical depth and normal depth.
FishXing uses these classifications to determine the appropriate inlet and outlet boundary
conditions.

Hydraulic Slope Classifications

The Hydraulic Slope of a culvert at a specific flow classifies the hydraulic regime and defines
the type of solution generated from the Gradually Varied Flow calculations.
Hydraulic Slope is determined from:
1. The culvert bottom slope (So) and
2. The relationship between critical depth (yc) and normal depth (yn) at a specific
flow.
There are five slope classifications:

Adverse (A) if So < 0 (slope is positive in the downstream direction)

Horizontal (H) if So = 0

Critical (C) if Yo = yc

Mild (M) if So> 0 and yn > yc

Steep (S) if So > 0 and yn < yc

For culverts with slopes > 0, the slope classifications change as flows change. It is not
uncommon for a culvert to switch from being Mild Slope to Steep Slope as flows increase.

Hydraulic Curve Classifications

Hydraulic Curve classifications are used to describe the shape of the water surface profile at a
specific flow. The curves are based on the Hydraulic Slope (A, H, C, M, or S) and the relative
position of the actual flow depth to normal and critical depth as designated by the numbers 1,
2, and 3.

Type 1 curve: Depth is greater than yc and yn, flow is subcritical

Type 2 curve: Depth is between ycand yn, flow can be either subcritical or
supercritical

Type 3 curve: Depth is less than both ycand yn, flow is supercritical.

Since normal depth (yn) is undefined for Horizontal and Adverse slopes, they only experience
Type 2 and Type 3 curves.
Note: Since FishXing does not model slope breaks within a culvert, therefore type 3 curves
do not occur within the model.

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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To develop a water surface profile (WSP) through the culvert using Gradually Varied
Flow calculations one or more boundary condition must be defined. A boundary condition is a
section of the channel where the depth of flow is known at a given flow rate. For culverts,
these boundary conditions occur at or near the inlet and outlet.
For backwater calculations (WSP calculated from downstream to upstream) a downstream
boundary condition is necessary. When performing frontwater calculations WSP calculated
going downstream) an upstream boundary condition is required. Determining the type of
boundary condition and calculation (backwater verses frontwater) needed is a function of
the hydraulic

slope and tailwater depth. In FishXing the tailwater depth is defined by one

of the available Tailwater Methods.

Boundary Conditions used by FishXing for Gradually Varied Flow Calculations are illustrated
below.
Where:
yTW = Tailwater depth, measured from outlet bottom (negative below bottom, positive
above bottom)
yc = Critical depth
yn = Normal depth
yfs = Free

surface depth, a function of (0.71*Ac)

Ac = Cross sectional area at critical depth

HL = Inlet headloss
GVF = Gradually Varied Flow (arrow shows the direction of calculation)
RVF = Rapidly Varied Flow (arrow shows the direction of calculation)

Inlet Boundary Conditions Used in FishXing

In FishXing, inlet boundary conditions are only required for hydraulically Steep sloping culverts
(yc > yn).

Steep Slopes
GVF Boundary Conditions = Critical Depth at inlet.

Frontwater GVF Calculations begin at critical depth at inlet and end at outlet

Outlet Boundary Conditions Used in FishXing

Outlet boundary conditions required on non-Steep slopes or on Steep slopes with tailwater
depth > critical depth (yTW > yc ).

Mild, Horizontal, Adverse, Critical Slopes

Type 1: GVF Boundary Condition = Tailwater Depth

When the Tailwater Depth (yTW) is greater than Critical Depth (yc ) the culvert is controlled by
the downstream water surface. Backwater GVF calculations begin at the outlet and proceed
upstream to the inlet.

Type 2: GVF Boundary Condition = Critical Depth

When Tailwater Depth (yTW) is less than the Free Surface Depth (yfs) the flow is passing
through Critical Depth (yc ) and entering a zone of Rapidly Varied Flow. RVF is approximated
linearly by drawing the flow profile from critical depth at a distance of 4y c from the outlet
through yfs at the outlet. When yTW is negative, an outlet plunge exists.

Type 3: GVF Boundary Condition = Critical Depth

When Tailwater Depth (yTW) is less than the Critical Depth (yc ) and greater than Free Surface
Depth (yfs) the flow is passing through critical and entering a zone of Rapidly Varied Flow. The

water surface within the RVF zone is approximated by drawing the flow profile from the
tailwater elevation at the outlet to critical depth at a distance of 4y c upstream from the outlet.

Steep Slopes
For Steep slope culverts, a downstream boundary condition is only needed if a backwater
calculation is required.

In this case the Tailwater Depth (yTW) is below critical depth, so no backwater calculation is
required.

Type 4: Steep Slope with GVF Boundary Condition = Tailwater Depth

For hydraulically Steep slopes, if the Tailwater Depth (yTW) is greater than the Critical Depth
(yc ) then the downstream boundary condition is yTW and a backwater calculation is performed.
In addition, for all Steep sloping culverts a frontwater calculation is also performed. Determine
the extent the flow profile is influenced by the tailwater depth requires comparing the
frontwater and backwater generated profiles and identifying the location of a

hydraulic

jump, if one exists.

See: Outlet

Plunge, Outlet Drop, Tailwater Calculations, Hydraulic Jumps,

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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Gradually Varied Flow

When not flowing full, water surface profiles within a culvert are generally calculated using
equations that describe Gradually Varied Flow (GVF) conditions. The GVF equations account
for gravitational and frictional forces acting on the water, and are used to calculate water
depths throughout the culvert. A GVF profile is also known as a water depth profile and
applies to steady-state, or constant flow, conditions.

Limitations of Gradually Varied Flow equation:

1.

Steady State Flow

2.

One Dimensional (can only calculate average cross sectional water velocity)

General form of the Gradually Varied Flow equation is:

Where:
So = Bottom slope, positive in the downward direction
Sf = Friction slope, positive in the downward direction
y = Water depth, measured from culvert bottom to water surface
x = Longitudinal distance, measured along the culvert bottom
Fr = Froude number
The Friction slope is approximated from Mannings Equation:

Where:
Sf = Friction slope, positive in the downward direction
n = Mannings roughness coefficient
V = Average cross section velocity

= Constant equal to 1.49 for English units and 1.00 for SI units.
R = Hydraulic radius, (Wetted Area / Wetted Perimeter)
Numerical Integration of the GVF Equation:
The GVF differential equation does not have an analytical solution. Therefore, FishXing uses
numerical integration to generate a water surface profile. Numerical integration is a technique
of dividing the channel, or culvert, into numerous short reaches and then performing the
computations from one end of the reach to the other.

FishXing primarily uses the Standard Step Method of numerical integration. The following
form of the equation is used:

Where:
E = Change in specific energy from one end of the reach to the other
Sfave = Average friction slope across the reach
x = Longitudinal distance from one end of the reach to the other
y = Depth of water
Q = Flow rate
g = Gravitational acceleration
A = Wetted cross sectional area
Since the friction slope and wetted area are functions of depth, solving for depth at a given
distance (x) requires an iterative solution. FishXing uses a bisection method to find the
solution.

Backwater and Frontwater Calculations

The water surface profile can be calculated from downstream going upstream (backwater
calculations) or from upstream going downstream (frontwater calculations). The direction
depends on the classification of the water surface profile (hydraulic slope and type of curve).
For Mild, Critical, Adverse, and Horizontal slopes FishXing performs a backwater calculation
beginning at the downstream boundary. Frontwater calculations are performed for Steep
slopes, beginning at the upstream boundary. If a Steep slope culvert is backwatered (S1
curve), FishXing also performs a backwater calculation and identifies the location of
the hydraulic jump (if one occurs).

Other Considerations
If only a portion of the culvert becomes pressurized, FishXing will switch between the GVF
and full flow equations.

See Boundary Conditions, Rapidly Varied Flow, Headwater Calculation

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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Full Flow
The velocity within a full flowing culvert is calculated as:

Where:
V = Average velocity in the culvert barrel [ft/s or m/s]
Q = Flow rate through culvert [ft3/s or m3/2]
A = Full cross sectional area of the flow [ft2 or m2]
When flowing full, the friction loss within the culvert barrel, Hf, over a given length of culvert, L,
is calculated based on the friction slope, Sf:

To calculate the friction slope, Mannings equation is rearranged into the following form:

Where:

n = Mannings roughness coefficient

= Constant of 1.00 for metric and 1.49 for English units
R = Hydraulic radius [ft or m]
When full flow conditions exist, FishXing uses the friction slope and culvert slope, So, to
calculate the height of the hydraulic grade line (HGL) and energy grade line (EGL) above the
culvert bottom.

If the hydraulic grade line intersects the top of the culvert, FishXing switches between full flow
and open channel flow calculations.

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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Rapidly Varied Flow

If water depth or velocity change abruptly over a short distance and the pressure distribution is
not hydrostatic, the water surface profile is characterized as Rapidly Varying Flow (RVF). The
occurrence of RVF is usually a local phenomenon. RVF can often be observed near the inlet
and outlet of culverts, and wherever hydraulic jumps occur.
For more information on how FishXing approximates Rapidly Varied Flow please see the
following topics: Inlet Contraction Velocity, Hydraulic Jump, Free Surface Outlet, Boundary
Conditions, and Outlet Plunge

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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Hydraulic Jumps
Whenever the flow profile changes from supercritical to subcritical, hydraulic jumps will occur.
A hydraulic jump represents a significant head loss that manifests in available energy for scour
and creation of turbulence. Hydraulic jumps are one of the three occurrences of Rapidly Varied
Flow that FishXing approximates. Hydraulic jumps are generally an undesirable condition for
fish passage and erosion control.

Photos of Hydraulic Jump, Hydraulic Jump 2,

In FishXing a hydraulic jump can only occur if the following two conditions are satisfied:
1. The culvert has a steep hydraulic slope (yc > yn)
2. The tailwater depth is greater than critical depth (yTW > yc)
If both of these conditions exist FishXing checks for the possibility of a jump occurring within
the culvert. FishXing solves the Gradually Varied Flow equations in the downstream direction
(frontwater calculations) starting from critical depth at the inlet. This gives a supercritical water
surface profile. Next, FishXing performs backwater calculations starting at the outlet with the
water depth equal to the tailwater depth. Proceeding upstream, the backwater calculations
produces a subcritical water surface profile. At any given point in the culvert there is now both
a supercritical and subcritical depth. To determine which depth is correct, at each node (point)
the corresponding momentum (or specific force) is calculated for both of the depths. When the
upstream momentum and downstream momentum values are equal a jump occurs.
FishXing does not locate the exact location of the jump but determines the up and
downstream nodes of the jump and connects sub and supercritical flow between these nodes.
The steps followed to locate the jump are summarized as:

1.

Compute the upstream supercritical water surface profile by solving the Gradually
Varied Flow equations from the inlet depth equal to critical depth. Calculations
proceeding in the downstream direction are called "frontwater calculations".

2.

Starting at the downstream boundary condition at the outlet, compute the subcritical
water surface profile in the upstream direction. Calculations proceeding in the
upstream direction are called "backwater calculations".

3.

At each node, compute the momentum (specific force) for associated with the two
depths (supercritical and subcritical).

Where:
M = Momentum or specific force
Q = Flow rate
g =Acceleration due to gravity
A = Cross sectional area
zbar = is the distance from the water surface to the centroid of the cross sectional
area of flow.
4. Beginning at the outlet and proceeding towards the inlet, compare the momentum
associated with the corresponding supercritical and subcritical depths. When the
momentum associated with the subcritical profile becomes less than the momentum
associated with the supercritical profile, a hydraulic jump is assumed to have
occurred between the two nodes.

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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Inlet, Barrel and Outlet

Zones
During calculations, the culvert is divided into three zones:

Inlet Zone The region within the culvert inlet where entering flows contract and
then expand rapidly. FishXing reports the inlet zone as the first two nodes (points)
down the culvert. For culverts with a width or diameter of 9 feet or less the inlet zone
is 2 feet in length, while for culverts larger than 9 feet the inlet zone is 3 feet in
length (Belhke, 1992). At this location within the culvert, FishXing calculates
the Inlet Contraction Velocity.
Barrel - All the nodes between the first two nodes and last two nodes in the culvert
Outlet Zone - The distance from the outlet to a distance equal to 4yc (four times
critical depth) within the culvert. This zone consists of the last two nodes of the
culvert. The area of rapidly varying flow associated with a full or partially free
surface outlet will be contained within the Outlet Zone.

The zones also define where the inlet, barrel, and outlet Velocity Reduction Factors are
applied.
For this application, the Barrel Velocity (VB) is the average cross-sectional flow in the barrel
approximately one culvert diameter downstream from the inlet and represents the area
immediately downstream of the inlet Contraction and Expansion zone.

See also: Inlet Head Loss Coefficient, Inlet Contraction Velocity, Velocity Reduction Factors

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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Headwater Calculations
The depth of water above the culvert inlet bottom is known as the Headwater Depth. This
depth represents the amount of energy available to convey water through the culvert.
Headwater depths are a function of the entrance shape, along with the depth and velocity
immediately inside the culvert.

Headwater depths are determined by summing the energy losses associated with entrance
shape, exit expansion and friction of the culvert. This is described in the basic energy balance
equation:

Where:
Y = Depth (ft, m)
V = Velocity (ft/s, m/s)
Z = Change in elevation (ft,m)
TW = Tailwater
HW = Headwater
g = Accceleration due to gravity (ft/s2)
In most cases the approach velocity (V) is low and the approach velocity head is neglected.
Similarly the exit velocity can be neglected in the energy equation if the upstream and
downstream channels are similar, reducing the Headwater calculation to:

where yHW is the sum of all losses and represents the difference in water surface elevation at
the Outlet (headwater) and outlet (tailwater) FishXing does not include bend losses, junction
losses, or grate losses.
Entrance Loss depends on the geometry of the inlet. This loss is expressed as the velocity
head immediately inside the culvert reduced by the entrance loss coefficient, Ke.

Where:
HL = Head Loss (ft)
Ke = Entrance Loss Coefficient
V = Velocity in the culvert barrel (ft/s)
g = Acceleration due to gravity
FishXing calculates the headwater depth using the following Equation:

FishXing calculates total headloss as the sum of the Entrance Loss, Exit Loss, and Friction
Loss.
Note: High exit velocities can cause downstream scour and present a barrier to fish passage
so Exit Velocity should be considered in the design of culverts.

See Entrance Loss Coefficients

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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Inlet Contraction Velocity

Illustration of inlet zone hydraulics, adapted from Behlke et, al. 1992.
The hydraulic environment within the inlet zone of a culvert is typically classified as rapidly
varying flow. Two distinct sections exist within the inlet zone: a contraction zone where
streamlines contract as the water enters the culvert and an expansion zone that exists
immediately downstream of the contraction. This contraction occurs as water from the
upstream channel enters into the culvert inlet. If the culvert is narrower than the channel the
abrupt change in width causes flows to be constricted.
Head loss occurs as water passes through the inlet zone. The magnitude of the head-loss is
dependent on the velocity within the culvert barrel and inlet geometry, which determines the
appropriate entrance loss coefficient. The head-loss coefficient is a function of transition
efficiency as the water enters the culvert from the upstream channel.
As the water enters the culvert, velocities increase until they reach the point of maximum
contraction. In this zone there is a drop in the hydraulic grade line, which is evident by a drop
in water surface. At the same time there is an increase in kinetic energy that is equal to the
drop in the hydraulic grade line minus frictional losses. Just downstream of the contraction is
an area of rapidly expanding flow. A large portion of the entrance headloss occurs within the
expansion
The contraction zone at a culvert inlet can hinder fish passage due to the increased velocities
and steeper water slope. FishXing approximates the maximum contraction velocity by
assuming the calculated entrance headloss through the inlet zone is first converted entirely to
kinetic energy, and that this gained kinetic energy is then lost in the expansion.
FishXing uses the following equation to calculate the contraction velocity, and reports it as the
velocity immediately inside the culvert in the Water Surface Profile Results:

Where:
Vcntr = Contraction velocity
Ke = Entrance loss coefficient
VB = Average cross sectional water velocity within the culvert barrel, located at the
point where the velocity contraction occurs.
For this application the Barrel Velocity (VB) is the average cross-sectional velocity at the
location of the contraction, calculated assuming gradually varied flow conditions. For
calculations, the location of the contraction is defined as 2 feet (0.61 m) from the inlet for

culverts 9 feet wide (2.75 m) or smaller and 3 feet (0.91 m) from the inlet for culverts larger
than 9 feet (2.75 m) (Behlke, 1992). FishXing assumes the approach velocity is zero just
upstream of the inlet.
See also:
Inlet Head Loss Coefficient, Continuity Equation

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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Tailwater Calculations
FishXing allows the user to define the tailwater elevation using one of three methods:
1.

Constant Tailwater: Setting a tailwater elevation the remains constant as flows

change

2.

User Defined Tailwater Rating Curve: Inputting a rating table that relates tailwater
elevation to flow.

3.

Channel Cross Section: FishXing generates a tailwater rating curve based on an

inputted channel cross section.

Channel Cross Section Method

The tailwater cross section method uses an inputted channel cross section to create a
tailwater elevation verses flow rating table. The cross section should be located across the
tailwater control below the culvert outlet. Also required is the overall channel (or water
surface) slope through the cross-section and a Mannings roughness coefficient for the
channel. If the cross section contains areas of different roughness, you may vary the
roughness coefficients across the section. When the cross section contains multiple
roughnesses, a composite roughness is calculated.

FishXing calculates the tailwater elevation - flow relationship for the cross section assuming
uniform flow, and using Mannings Equation. Calculations begin with the tailwater set at the
lowest elevation in the cross section and a corresponding flow equal to zero. Flow through the
tailwater cross section is then calculated at regular intervals in tailwater elevation. Calculations
end once the water surface encounters one of the cross section ends (whichever side is
lower).

Interpolation and Extrapolation of Rating Curves

FishXing requires a tailwater elevation for every flow rate that it calculates. For both the User
Defined Tailwater Rating Curve Method and the Channel Cross Section Method (which builds
a rating curve) FishXing interpolates or extrapolates tailwater elevations associated with
different flows. If the flow is between two calculated flows within the rating curve, FishXing
uses linear interpolation to determine the corresponding tailwater elevation. If the flow is
beyond the highest flow in the rating curve, FishXing uses linear extrapolation based on the
last two points within the rating curve.
Since extrapolating beyond the curve can result in substantial error, it is always best to either
(depending on the Tailwater Method selected):
1.

Input a rating curve that includes the entire range of flows you plan to model (User
Defined Tailwater Rating Curve Method)

2.

Enter a channel cross section that will contain all of the flows you plan to model
(Channel Cross Section Method)

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

http://www.fsl.orst.edu/geowater/FX3/help/4_Calculations/_Tailwater_Calculations.htm

Composite Roughness Calculations

When a culvert or channel cross section has areas of different roughness, a composite
Mannings roughness coefficient must be calculated. The composite roughness is weighted
based on the wetted perimeters associated with the different roughness segments. Therefore,
the composite roughness changes with changes in water surface elevation. FishXing uses
composite roughness for the tailwater cross section calculations and for culverts with
composite materials (such as an embedded culvert).

Composite Roughness for Culverts

FishXing allows you to input a roughness coefficient for the bottom of the culvert different than
the roughness for the rest of the culvert. This applies to open bottom culverts and closed

bottom culverts that are embedded. In these situations, FishXing assumes the bottom
segment to be horizontal.

For culverts, FishXing uses the following form of the Horton-Einstein equation:

Where:
ncomposite = Mannings roughness coefficient for multiple materials
Pside = Perimeter of side material
nculvert = Mannings roughness coefficient of culvert material
Pbottom = Perimeter of bottom material
nbottom = Mannings roughness coefficient of bottom material

Composite Roughness for Tailwater Cross Section

When more than one roughness value is entered for the tailwater cross section, FishXing uses
the Horton-Einstein equation to compute a composite roughness:

Where:
ncomposite = Mannings roughness coefficient for multiple materials
P = Perimeter of material
i = subsection of crossing
If a Darcy-Weisbach friction factor or Chezy coefficient is used instead of Mannings n,
FishXing converts the alternative roughness coefficient into an equivalent Mannings n to
calculate a composite roughness.

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

http://www.fsl.orst.edu/geowater/FX3/help/4_Calculations/_Composite_Roughness_Calculations.htm

Plunging Flow
Water leaving a perched culvert has a velocity with both horizontal and vertical components.
By neglecting all frictional losses, a simplified projectile equation can be applied to the exiting
water. Using this equation, FishXing calculates the path of the falling water from exiting the
culvert outlet until it impacts the downstream outlet pool. FishXing assumes the location in
which the plunging flow impacts the outlet pool is where the fish will attempt to leap from.

The height the water plunges, H, and the horizontal distance the water travels from the outlet,
L, is described by the following standard projectile equations:

Where:
H = Vertical plunge distance.
L = Horizontal plunge distance
Vout = Exiting water velocity at the culvert outlet [ft/s or m/s]
g = Gravitational acceleration [32.2 ft/s2 or 9.8 m/s2]
t = Time for the exiting water to fall from the culvert outlet to the pool [s],
= Angle at which the water exits the culvert outlet [degrees or radians]
Since H is known, FishXing solves for the time, t, and the horizontal plunge distance, L.

Exit Angle
The exit angle is the angle the exiting water surface makes with the horizontal. It is calculated
using the last two nodes within the culvert, which is defined as the Outlet Zone. The water
surface slope at the outlet is determined by the applicable Free Surface Outlet conditions.
See Also: Defining Normal Depth, Froude Number and Flow States, Open Channel
Flow, Perched Outlet

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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Free Surface Outlet

Free surface outlets, also referred to as perched or free fall outlets, exist when the tailwater
does not influence the water depth within the culvert outlet. The method used by FishXing to
addresses free surface outlets depends on the hydraulic slope of the culvert.

Steep Culverts

At hydraulically steep slopes (yn < yc), if the tailwater is below critical depth (y tw < yc)
supercritical flow will occur throughout the culvert. In this case, the controlling water depth is
at the upstream end of the culvert. If the tailwater depth is below the culvert outlet bottom
(ytw < 0) the culvert is considered perched. Under supercritical flow conditions, FishXing
assumes the water depth at the perched culvert outlet is not influenced by the free overfall.

Non-steep Culverts

For culverts with a hydraulic slope that is not steep (instead having either a mild, critical,
horizontal, or adverse slope) and having a perched culvert outlet (y tw < 0) , the water surface
profile will be on a draw-down curve as it approaches the free overfall. From where the profile
crosses through critical depth to the free outfall the flow enters into a rapidly varied flow
regime. Rouse (1936) examined the case of an overfall at the end of a mild slope and found
that the true critical section is located at the overfall crest. The depth of this crest is a function
of the wetted area at the computed critical depth, yc:

The exact location of the calculated critical depth is indeterminate, as it will move upstream
with increasing flow and downstream with increasing boundary roughness and surface slope.

For relatively smooth rectangular channels, Rouse found this distance approximately equal to
four times the critical depth (4yc) upstream from the crest.
For non-steep culvert with a free overfall FishXing approximates the water surface profile near
the outlet by assuming the water depth is equal to critical depth a distance of 4y c upstream of
the outlet. FishXing then assumes the free surface depth located at the outlet (Y fs) is a
function of 0.71Ac. The water surface is then assumed to be linear between y c and yfs.

FishXing Version 3.0 Beta, 2006

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