Flow losses in dry sandy channels

Abstract

Statistically significant losses of water are shown to occur in the Canadian River near Oklahoma City. Since classical routing methods are based upon the principle of no volume loss, Kohler routing templates which use K and lag have been modified to create losses and yet prevent rounding of the crest of the outflow hydrograph. By means of an average curve of crest lag time against crest flow, which best fits the average case of small loss, a case of large loss shows that the loss occurs in a manner such that the entire front portion of the advancing flood wave disappears (including the inflow crest and a part of its falling side). A volume computation shows that this loss could have been absorbed by the dry sand dunes of the river bed.