Avoiding Error When Using the Manning Equation

Using depth instead of hydraulic radius in the Manning equation introduces a positive bias of 12.92% when the ratio of width to depth in the channel is 10, falling to 1.33% when the ratio is 100. If the result is used subsequently the bias may be magnified to as much as 107%.

[1]  W. Graf Rapids in Canyon Rivers , 1979, The Journal of Geology.

[2]  M. Gordon Wolman,et al.  Fluvial Processes in Geomorphology , 1965 .