A Regionally Applicable Model for Estimating Flow Velocity at Ungauged River Sites in the UK

Measurements of flow velocity are often required for a broad range of issues surrounding water-resource management, and a velocity-estimation method is therefore desirable where extensive field data are unavailable. This paper presents the development of a model for estimating flow velocity using readily available catchment characteristics, and flow and channel geometry data. The velocity equations were calibrated using UK data, so that their application at any river site in the UK is attainable. The calibrated equation uses the mean flow and the dimensionless magnitude of the flow on the day in question to estimate the mean reach velocity for flows at any river site in the UK.