Section 6: Gutter and Inlet Equations

Gutter Flow
The ponded width is a geometric function of the depth of the water (y) in the curb and
gutter section. The spread is usually referred to as ponded width (T), as shown in Figure
10-10.

Figure 10-13. Gutter Flow Cross Section Definition of Terms

Using Manning's Equation for Depth of Flow as a basis, the depth of flow in a curb and
gutter section with a longitudinal slope (S) is taken as the uniform (normal) depth of flow.
(See Chapter 6 for more information.) For Equation 10-1, the portion of wetted perimeter
represented by the vertical (or near-vertical) face of the curb is ignored. This justifiable
expedient does not appreciably alter the resulting estimate of depth of flow in the curb
and gutter section.

Equation 10-1.

where:

 y = depth of water in the curb and gutter cross section (ft. or m)

 Q = gutter flow rate (cfs or m3/s)

 n = Manning’s roughness coefficient

 S = longitudinal slope (ft./ft. or m/m)

 Sx = pavement cross slope = 1/x (ft./ft. or m/m)

 z = 1.24 for English measurements or 1.443 for metric.

The table below presents suggested Manning's “n” values for various pavement surfaces.
Department recommendation for design is the use of the rough texture values.
Table 10-1 Manning’s n-Values for Street and Pavement Gutters

Type of gutter or pavement

asphalt pavement: Smooth texture

0.013

Concrete gutter with asphalt pavement: Smooth texture

0.013

Concrete pavement: Float finish

0.014

Refer to Figure 10-10, and translate the depth of flow to a ponded width on the basis of
similar triangles using Equation 10-2. Equation 10-2 can also be used to determine the
ponded width in a sag configuration, where “y” is the depth of standing water or head on
the inlet.

Equation 10-2.

where:

 T = ponded width (ft. or m).

Equations 10-1 and 10-2 are combined to compute the gutter capacity.

Equation 10-3.

where:

 z = 0.56 for English measurements or 0.377 for metric.

Rearranging Equation 10-3 gives a solution for the ponded width, “T”.

Equation 10-4.

where:

 z = 1.24 for English measurements or 1.443 for metric.

Equations 10-3 and 10-4 apply to roadway sections having constant cross slope and a
vertical curb. The FHWA publication “Urban Drainage Design Manual" ( HEC-22) should
be consulted for parabolic and other shape roadway sections.

Ponding on Continuous Grades

Excessive ponding on continuous grades can be avoided by proper placement of storm
drain inlets. The gutter ponding at a specific location may be determined on a continuous
grade using the following steps:

1. Select a location of a proposed inlet. Start on the high point and work towards the low
point. Take into consideration the discussion in Inlet Locations.

2. Calculate the total discharge in the gutter based on the drainage area to the selected
location. See Determination of Runoff for methods to calculate discharge.

3. Determine the longitudinal slope, transverse slope and Manning's roughness

coefficient of the gutter.

4. Compute the ponded depth and width. For a constant transverse slope, compute the
ponded depth using Equation 10-1 and the ponded width using Equation 10-2. For
parabolic gutters or sections with more than one transverse slope, refer to the FHWA
publication “Urban Drainage Design Manual" ( HEC-22).

Ponding at Approaches to Sag Locations

Because a sag location has a different amount of flow approaching from both directions,
the gutter to each side of the inlet has a different ponded width and depth. At sag
locations, the hydraulic designer must consider sag inlet capacity and allowable ponding
using the following steps:
1. Estimate the apportionment of runoff to the left and right approaches. Next compute
the discharge to the sag location based on the entire drainage area. Then determine
the approximate fraction of area contributing to each side of the sag location. Multiply
the total discharge by each fraction to determine the discharge to each side.

2. Determine the longitudinal slope of each gutter approach. For sawtooth profiles, the
slopes will be the profile grades of the left and right approaches. However, if the sag is
in a vertical curve, the slope at the sag will be zero, which would mean no gutter
capacity. In reality there is a three-dimensional flow pattern resulting from the
drawdown effect of the inlet. As an approximation, assume a longitudinal slope of one
half of the tangent grade.

3. For each side of the sag, calculate the ponded depth and width using the appropriate
flow apportionment, longitudinal slope, and Equation 10-1. Compute the ponded width
using Equation 10-2.

Ponded Width Confirmation

Figure 10-11 shows the interdependence of inlet location, drainage area, discharge, and
ponded width. A tentative inlet location is selected, drainage area determined for that
location, discharge established, and ponded width calculated. Once the ponded width has
been calculated for a tentative location, it must be compared to the allowable ponded
width and depth.

If the ponded width is exceeded, the design must be adjusted by relocating the inlet to a
point upstream in the curb and gutter section which will reduce the watershed area, the
peak discharge, and thus the ponded width. This process is repeated until the ponded
width is at or below the allowable ponded width.
Figure 10-14. Relation of Inlet Location to Design Discharge

If the calculated ponded width is less than or equal to the allowable ponded width, the
hydraulic designer must decide if the design is efficient. If all or most of the allowable
ponded width is used, the location is probably efficient. If only a small portion of the
allowable ponded width is used, a more efficient location may be possible. In extensive
storm drain systems, a design objective should be to minimize the number of inlets
without violating allowable ponded widths anywhere in the system. (See Ponding for
guidelines on allowable ponding.)

Carryover Design Approach

An on-grade inlet may be much more efficient if it intercepts only a portion of the total flow
in the gutter instead of all of the flow in the gutter. The gutter flow not intercepted is called
bypass flow or carryover. This design approach can only be used for on-grade
configurations and is recommended where interception of the total flow is not necessary.

Figure 10-12 illustrates (in profile) approximately what happens when the inlet is
designed to intercept all of the approaching flow. Note the large area of inlet opening that
is not utilized efficiently.

Figure 10-13 illustrates (in profile) approximately what happens when the inlet is
designed for bypass flow. Note that the inlet opening is used much more efficiently than
the inlet illustrated in Figure 10-12.

Figure 10-15. Inlet Designed with No Carryover

Figure 10-16. Inlet Designed with Carryover

Bypass flow is normally captured at some other location. The gutter between the two
points must accommodate the additional flow. Bypass flow is not recommended upstream
of intersections and driveways, at superelevation transitions where the cross slope begins
to reverse, or below entrance/exit ramps. Bypass flow at these locations would be
crossed by vehicular traffic and may pose a traffic hazard. Bypass flow is also not
recommended to be allowed to flow where there is no outfall or designated capture point.

Curb Inlets On-Grade

The design of on-grade curb opening inlets involves determination of length required for
total flow interception, subjective decision about actual length to be provided, and
determination of any resulting carryover rate.

The following procedure is used to design curb inlets on-grade:

1. Compute depth of flow and ponded width (T) in the gutter section at the inlet.

2. Determine the ratio of the width of flow in the depressed section (W) to the width of
total gutter flow (T) using Equation 10-5. Figure 10-14 shows the gutter cross section at
an inlet.

Equation 10-5.

where:

o E0 = ratio of depression flow to total flow

o KW = conveyance of the depressed gutter section (cfs or m3/s)

o K0 = conveyance of the gutter section beyond the depression (cfs or m3/s).
Equation 10-6.

where:

o K = conveyance of cross section (cfs or m3/s)

o z = 1.486 for English measurements and 1.0 for metric

o A = area of cross section (sq.ft. or m2)

o n = Manning’s roughness coefficient

o P = wetted perimeter (ft. or m).

Use Equation 10-7 to calculate the area of cross section in the depressed gutter
section.

Equation 10-7.

where:

o AW = area of depressed gutter section (ft2 or m2)

o W = depression width for an on-grade curb inlet (ft. or m)

o Sx = cross slope (ft./ft. or m/m)

o T = calculated ponded width (ft. or m)

o a = curb opening depression depth (ft. or m).

Use Equation 10-8 to calculate the wetted perimeter in the depressed gutter section.

Equation 10-8.

where:

o PW = wetted perimeter of depressed gutter section (ft. or m)

o W = depression width for an on-grade curb inlet (ft. or m)

o Sx = cross slope (ft./ft. or m/m)

 o a = curb opening depression depth (ft. or m).

Use Equation 10-9 to calculate the area of cross section of the gutter section beyond
the depression.

Equation 10-9.

where:

o A0 = area of gutter/road section beyond the depression width (ft2 or m2)

o Sx = cross slope (ft./ft. or m/m)

o W = depression width for an on-grade curb inlet (ft. or m)

o T = calculated ponded width

Use Equation 10-10 to calculate the wetted perimeter of the gutter section beyond
the depression.

Equation 10-10.

where:

o P0 = wetted perimeter of the depressed gutter section (ft. or m)

o T = calculated ponded width (ft. or m)

o W = depression width for an on-grade curb inlet (ft. or m).

3. Use Equation 10-11 to determine the equivalent cross slope (Se) for a depressed curb
opening inlet.

Equation 10-11.

where:
 o Se = equivalent cross slope (ft./ft. or m/m)

o Sx = cross slope of the road (ft./ft. or m/m)

o a = gutter depression depth (ft. or m)

o W = gutter depression width (ft. or m)

o Eo = ratio of depression flow to total flow.

4. Calculate the length of curb inlet required for total interception using Equation 10-12.

Equation 10-12.

where:

o Lr = length of curb inlet required (ft. or m)

o z = 0.6 for English measurement and 0.82 for metric

o Q = flow rate in gutter (cfs or m3/s)

o S = longitudinal slope (ft./ft. or m/m)

o n = Manning’s roughness coefficient

o Se = equivalent cross slope (ft./ft. or m/m).

If no bypass flow is allowed, the inlet length is assigned a nominal dimension of at

least Lr, which should be an available (nominal) standard curb opening length. The
exact value of Lr should not be used if doing so requires special details, special
drawings, structural design, and costly construction.

If bypass flow is allowed, the inlet length is rounded down to the next available
standard (nominal) curb opening length.

5. Determine bypass flow. In bypass flow computations, efficiency of flow interception

varies with the ratio of actual length of curb opening inlet supplied (La) to required
length (Lr) and with the depression to depth of flow ratio. Use Equation 10-13 to
calculate bypass flow.
 Equation 10-13.

where:

o Qco = carryover discharge (cfs or m3/s)

o Q = total discharge (cfs or m3/s)

o La = design length of the curb opening inlet (ft. or m)

o Lr = length of curb opening inlet required to intercept the total flow (ft. or m).

Bypass flows usually should not exceed about 0.5 cfs (0.03 m3/s). Greater rates can
be troublesome and cause a significant departure from the principles of the Rational
Method application. In all cases, the bypass flow must be accommodated at some
other specified point in the storm drain system.

6. Calculate the intercepted flow as the original discharge in the approach curb and
gutter minus the amount of bypass flow.

Curb Inlets in Sag Configuration

The capacity of a curb inlet in a sag depends on the water depth at the curb opening and
the height of the curb opening. The inlet operates as a weir to depths equal to the curb
opening height and as an orifice at depths greater than 1.4 times the opening height. At
depths between 1.0 and 1.4 times the opening height, flow is in a transition stage and the
capacity should be based on the lesser of the computed weir and orifice capacity.
Generally, for Department design, this ratio should be less than 1.4 such that the inlet
operates as a weir.

1. If the depth of flow in the gutter (y) is less than or equal to 1.4 times the inlet opening
height (h), (  ), determine the length of inlet required considering weir
control. Otherwise, skip this step. Calculate the capacity of the inlet when operating
under weir conditions with Equation 10-14.

Equation 10-14.
 Equation 10-14 is rearranged to produce the following relation for curb inlet length
required.

Equation 10-15.

where:

o Q = total flow reaching inlet (cfs or m3/s)

o Cw = weir coefficient (ft.0.5/s or m0.5/s)

 Suggested value = 2.3 ft.0.5/s or 1.27 m0.5/s for depressed inlets

 Suggested value = 3.0 ft0.5/s or 1.60 m0.5 without depression

o y = head at inlet opening (ft. or m), computed with Equation 10-1

o L = length of curb inlet opening (ft. or m)

o W = gutter depression width (perpendicular to curb)

o If L > 12 ft. (3.6m), then W = 0 and CW = 3.0 ft.0.5/s or 1.60 m0.5/s.

2. If the depth of flow in the gutter is greater than the inlet opening height (y > h),
determine the length of inlet required considering orifice control. The equation for
interception capacity of a curb opening operating as an orifice follows:

Equation 10-16.

where:

o Q = total flow reaching inlet (cfs or m3/s)

o Co = orifice coefficient = 0.67

o h = depth of opening (ft. or m)(this depth will vary slightly with the inlet detail
used)

o L = length of curb opening inlet (ft. or m)

 o g = acceleration due to gravity = 32.2 ft./s2 or 9.81 m/s2

o do = effective head at the centroid of the orifice (ft. or m).

For curb inlets with an inclined throat such as Type C inlet, the effective head, do, is
at the centroid of the orifice. This changes Equation 10-16 to:

Equation 10-17.

where: Q = total flow reaching inlet (cfs or m3/s) Co = orifice coefficient = 0.67 h =
depth of opening (ft. or m)(this depth will vary slightly with the inlet detail used) L =
length of curb opening inlet (ft. or m) g = acceleration due to gravity = 32.2 ft/s2 or
9.81 m/s2 y = depth of water in the curb and gutter cross section (ft. or m) a = gutter
depression depth (ft.). Rearranging Equation 10-17 allows a direct solution for
required length.

3.

Equation 10-18.

4. If both steps 1 and 2 were performed (i.e.,  ), choose the larger of the two
computed lengths as being the required length.

5. Select a standard inlet length that is greater than the required length.

Slotted Drain Inlet Design

The following procedure may be used for on-grade slotted drain inlets:

1. Determine the length of slotted drain inlet required for interception of all of the water in
the curb and gutter calculated by Equation 10-19.
 Equation 10-19.

o where:

o Lr = length of slotted drain inlet required for total interception of flow (ft. or m)

o z = 0.706 for English measurement or 1.04 for metric

o Qa = total discharge (cfs or m3/s)

o S = gutter longitudinal slope (ft./ft. or m/m)

o E = function of S and Sx as determined by Equation 10-20

o Sx = transverse slope (ft./ft. or m/m)

o n = Manning’s roughness coefficient.

Equation 10-19 is limited to the following ranges of variables:

o total discharge < 5.5 cfs (0.156 m3/s)

o longitudinal gutter slope < 0.09 ft./ft. (0.09 m/m)

o roughness coefficient (n) in the curb and gutter: 0.011 < n < 0.017.

o The longitudinal slope exponent (E) is determined with Equation 10-20:

Equation 10-20.

Because the equations are empirical, extrapolation is not recommended.

2. Select the desired design slotted drain length (La) based on standard inlet sizes. If La <
Lr the interception capacity may be estimated using Figure 10-15, multiplying the
resulting discharge ratios by the total discharge. Alternatively, the carryover for a
slotted drain inlet length may be directly computed using Equation 10-21.
 Equation 10-21.

o where:

o Qco = carryover discharge (cfs or m3/s)

o Q = total discharge (cfs or m3/s)

o La = design length of slotted drain inlet (ft. or m)

o Lr = length of slotted drain inlet required to intercept the total flow (ft. or m).

Figure 10-18.

As a rule of thumb, the hydraulic designer can optimize slotted drain inlet economy
by providing actual lengths (La) to required lengths (Lr) in an approximate ratio of
about 0.65. This implies a usual design with carryover for on-grade slotted drain
inlets.

Trench Drain Inlet Design

The following procedure may be used for trench drain design:

1. Determine the location of trench drain to intercept the runoff.

2. If on a slope, calculate the runoff to be captured by the trench drain in terms of cfs per
foot of slope width. The maximum intercept rate, calculated from the weir equation, is
1.4 cfs per foot of length per side of trench drain for the Department specified grate.
Flows exceeding 1.4 cfs per foot of length per side will require a different method of
interception or multiple rows of trench drain inlets.

3. Select the outfall location for the trench drain. The maximum length of the trench drain
is measured from the outfall location because the depth of the outfall, whether natural
ground or a storm drain pipe, will determine the maximum depth of the trench drain.
Trench drain is normally available with either a fixed invert slope or neutral invert
without slope.

4. Look at the manufacturer's data to select the segments needed by part number.

5. Select the trench drain outlet, horizontal or vertical, and size.

6. Calculate the allowable flow in the drain outlet using the orifice equation.

7. Select the method of connection to the storm drain pipe.

Grate Inlets On-Grade

The capacity of a grate inlet on-grade depends on its geometry and cross slope,
longitudinal slope, total gutter flow, depth of flow, and pavement roughness.

The depth of water next to the curb is the major factor affecting the interception capacity
of grate inlets. At low velocities, all of the water flowing in the section of gutter occupied
by the grate, called frontal flow, and a small portion of the flow along the length of the
grate, termed side flow, is intercepted. On steep slopes, only a portion of the frontal flow
is intercepted if the velocity is high or the grate is short because a portion tends to splash
over the end of the grate (“splash-over”). For grates less than 2 ft. (0.6 m) long,
intercepted flow is small.

Refer to HEC-12 or HEC-22 for inlet efficiency data for various sizes and designs of
grates. Additionally, safety for small wheeled vehicles (bicycles, wheelchairs, etc.) must
be considered in grate selection.

Design Procedure for Grate Inlets On-Grade

Use the following procedure for grate inlets on-grade:
1. Compute the ponded width of flow (T). Use the outline provided in Gutter Ponding on
Continuous Grades.

2. Choose a grate type and size.

3. Find the ratio of frontal flow to total gutter flow (Eo) for a straight cross-slope using
Equation 10-5. No depression is applied to a grate on-grade inlet.

4. Find the ratio of frontal flow intercepted to total frontal flow, Rf, using Equations 10-22,
10-23, and 10-24.

If v > vo, use Equation 10-22.

Equation 10-22.

If v < vo, use Equation 10-23.

Equation 10-23.

where:

o Rf = ratio of frontal flow intercepted to total frontal flow

o Ku = 0.09 for English measurement or 0.295 for metric

o v = approach velocity of flow in gutter (ft./s or m/s)

o vo = minimum velocity that will cause splash over grate (ft./s or m/s)

For triangular sections, calculate the approach velocity of flow in gutter (v) using
Equation 10-24.

Equation 10-24.

Otherwise, compute the section flow area of flow (A) and calculate the velocity using
Equation 10-25:
 Equation 10-25.

where:

o vo = splash-over velocity (ft./s or m/s)

o L = length of grate (ft. or m)

Calculate the minimum velocity (vo) that will cause splash over the grate using the
appropriate equation in Table 10-2 below.
Table 10-2. Splash-Over Velocity Calculation Equations (English)

Grate Typical Bar Spacing

Configuration (in.) Splash-over Velocity Equation

Parallel Bars 2

Parallel Bars 1.2

Parallel bars w/
2 parallel/4 transverse
transverse rods

Reticuline n/a

5. Find the ratio of side flow intercepted to total side flow, Rs.

Equation 10-26.

where:

o RS = ratio of side flow intercepted to total flow

o z = 0.15 for English measurement or 0.083 for metric

o Sx = transverse slope

o v = approach velocity of flow in gutter (ft./s or m/s)

 o L = length of grate (ft. or m).

6. Determine the efficiency of grate, Ef. Use Equation 10-27.

Equation 10-27.

7. Calculate the interception capacity of the grate, Qi. Use Equation 10-28. If the
interception capacity is greater than the design discharge, skip step 8.

Equation 10-28.

8. Determine the bypass flow (CO) using Equation 10-29.

Equation 10-29.

9. Depending on the bypass flow, select a larger or smaller inlet as needed. If the
bypass flow is excessive, select a larger configuration of inlet and return to step 3. If
the interception capacity far exceeds the design discharge, consider using a smaller
inlet and return to step 3.

Design Procedure for Grate Inlets in Sag Configurations

A grate inlet in sag configuration operates in weir flow at low ponded depths but
transitions to orifice flow as the ponded depth increases. The following procedure is used
for calculating the inlet capacity:

1. Choose a grate of standard dimensions to use as a basis for calculations.

2. Determine an allowable head (h) for the inlet location. For a grate in a curb and gutter
section, this should be the lower of the curb height or the depth associated with the
allowable ponded width. For a grate in a ditch (drop inlet), this should be the lower of
the height of the ditch block, if any, or the allowable ponded depth. No gutter
depression is applied at grate inlets.

3. Determine the capacity of a grate inlet operating as a weir. Under weir conditions, the
grate perimeter controls the capacity. Figure 10-16 shows the perimeter length for a
grate inlet located next to and away from a curb. The capacity of a grate inlet operating
 as a weir is determined using Equation 10-30.

Equation 10-30.

where:

o QW = weir capacity of grate (cfs or m3/s)

o CW = weir coefficient = 3 for English measurement or 1.66 for metric

o P = perimeter of the grate (ft. or m) as shown in Figure 10-16: A multiplier of

about 0.5 is recommended to be applied to the measured perimeter as a safety
factor.

o h = allowable head on grate (ft. or m).

Figure 10-19. Perimeter Length for Grate Inlet in Sag Configuration

4. Determine the capacity of a grate inlet operating under orifice flow. Under orifice
conditions, the grate area controls the capacity. The capacity of a grate inlet operating
under orifice flow is computed with Equation 10-31.

Equation 10-31.

where:

o Qo = orifice capacity of grate (cfs or m3/s)

o Co = orifice flow coefficient = 0.67

o A = clear opening area (sq. ft. or m2) of the grate (the total area available for
flow). A multiplier of about 0.5 is recommended to be applied to the measured
 area as a safety factor

o g = acceleration due to gravity (32.2 ft/s2 or 9.81 m/s2)

o h = allowable head on grate (ft. or m).

5. Compare the calculated capacities from steps 3 and 4 and choose the lower value as
the design capacity. The design capacity of a grated inlet in sag is based on the
minimum flow calculated from weir and orifice conditions. Figure 10-17 demonstrates
the relationship between weir and orifice flow. If Qo is greater than Qw (to the left of the
intersection in Figure 10-17), then the designer would use the capacity calculated with
the weir equation. If, however, Qo is less than Qw (to the right of the intersection), then
the capacity as determined with the orifice equation would be used.

Figure 10-20. Relationship between Head and Capacity for Weir and Orifice Flow