Enter the cross-sectional area of the river and the average velocity of the water to determine the river discharge. This calculator helps in estimating the volume of water flowing through a river channel at any given time.
River Discharge Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the river discharge:
Q = A * V
Variables:
- Q is the river discharge (cubic feet per second)
- A is the cross-sectional area of the river (square feet)
- V is the average velocity of the water (feet per second)
To calculate the river discharge, multiply the cross-sectional area of the river by the average velocity of the water.
What is River Discharge?
River discharge is the volume of water that flows through a river channel in a given amount of time. It is a crucial measurement for hydrologists and environmental scientists as it helps in understanding the water balance of a river basin, predicting floods, and managing water resources. Discharge is typically measured in cubic feet per second (cfs) or cubic meters per second (cms).
How to Calculate River Discharge?
The following steps outline how to calculate the River Discharge:
- First, determine the cross-sectional area of the river (A) in square feet.
- Next, determine the average velocity of the water (V) in feet per second.
- Next, gather the formula from above = Q = A * V.
- Finally, calculate the River Discharge (Q) in cubic feet per second.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Cross-sectional area of the river (A) = 500 square feet
Average velocity of the water (V) = 3 feet per second
