Mean Depth

Mean depth, abbreviated as \(h_m\), is the average water depth in a stream channel or conduit computed by dividing the cross-section area by the surface width.

 

Mean depth formula
\(\large{ h_m =  \frac{ A_c }{ T }  }\)  \(\large{ h_m =  \frac{ v^2 }{ g \; Fr^2 }  }\)
Symbol	English	Metric
\(\large{ h_m }\) = mean depth	\(\large{ ft }\)	\(\large{ m }\)
\(\large{ A_c }\) = area cross-section of flow	\(\large{ ft^2 }\)	\(\large{ m^2 }\)
\(\large{ Fr }\) = Froude number	\(\large{ dimensionless }\)
\(\large{ g }\) = gravitational acceleration	\(\large{ \frac{ft}{sec^2} }\)	\(\large{ \frac{m}{s^2} }\)
\(\large{ T }\) = top of water surface width	\(\large{ ft }\)	\(\large{ m }\)
\(\large{ v }\) = velocity of flow	\(\large{ \frac{ft}{sec} }\)	\(\large{ \frac{m}{s} }\)