Enter the vertical stream difference in elevation and the horizontal stream difference into the Stream Gradient Calculator. The calculator will evaluate the Stream Gradient. 

Stream Gradient Formula

The following two example problems outline the steps and information needed to calculate the Stream Gradient.

SG = VS / HS

Variables:

  • SG is the Stream Gradient ( )
  • BS is the vertical stream difference in elevation 
  • HS is the horizontal stream difference 

To calculate the stream gradient, simply divide the vertical stream difference by the horizontal stream difference.

How to Calculate Stream Gradient?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Stream Gradient.


  1. First, determine the vertical stream difference in elevation. 
  2. Next, determine the horizontal stream difference. 
  3. Next, gather the formula from above = SG = VS / HS.
  4. Finally, calculate the Stream Gradient.
  5. 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.

vertical stream difference in elevation = 300

horizontal stream difference = 200

SG = VS / HS = ?