University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Hydraulic geometry of 12 selected stream systems of the United States

Stall, John B.; Yang, Chih Ted

Content Files
StallYang_1970.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90167

Description

Title
Hydraulic geometry of 12 selected stream systems of the United States
Author(s)
  • Stall, John B.
  • Yang, Chih Ted
Contributor(s)
  • Ben-Zvi, Arie
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Illinois State Water Survey
Issue Date
1970-07
Keyword(s)
  • Water resources center
  • Water resources center--Illinois
  • Hydrology and hydraulics
  • Streams
  • Hydraulic geometry
Date of Ingest
2016-05-25T19:17:47Z
Geographic Coverage
Illinois (state)
Abstract
Channel characteristics of stream systems have been evaluated for 12 river basins in the humid region of the United States. Basins vary in size from 1532 to 8410 square miles, and river slopes from 1.56 to 107 feet per mile. Each basin was selected as having relatively uniform physiography, but the 12 basins represent widely different physiographic sections of the country. Discharge, cross-sectional area, width, depth, and velocity of a stream at a particular location in the stream system are each related to the frequency of occurrence of the discharge, F, in percent of days per year, and the drainage area, Ad, in square miles. The resulting five hydraulic geometry equations represent the characteristic interrelationship of these factors throughout the stream system. The Horton-Strahler laws of channel morphology prove to be valid for these stream systems, regardless of the scale of map used for their determination. Two new laws, the law of average stream fall, and the law of least rate of energy expenditure are introduced. A theoretical longitudinal streambed profile is computed, as well as an equilibrium profile. The latter, when compared with the actual existing streambed profile, indicates future channel aggradation or degradation. Stream velocities calculated from hydraulic geometry equations check with the time-of-travel measured in streams by use of dye tracers. Provisional time-of-travel curves for a 140-mile reach of the Sangamon River are shown. Stream velocity and depth as calculated by hydraulic geometry equations can be used to estimate the total capacity of a stream to assimilate wastes.
Publisher
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Water Resources Center
Type of Resource
text
Genre of Resource
Report (Grant or Annual)
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90167
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
  • U.S. Department of the Interior
  • U.S. Geological Survey
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1970 held by John B. Stall, Chih Ted Yang

Owning Collections

Illinois Water Resources Center - Hydrology and Hydraulics PRIMARY