Darcy-Weisbach Roughness Coefficients for Selected Crops

Total hydraulic resistance on an upland agricultural site may be influenced by several factors including standing vegetation. In this laboratory study, Darcy-Weisbach roughness coefficients were measured for corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower, and wheat vegetation. Experimental variables used in this investigation in addition to crop type included plant population, row spacing, row orientation, and flow rate. For some of the experimental tests, a single row of vegetation was oriented within a flume parallel to the principal flow direction. For the remainder of the tests, rows of vegetation were placed perpendicular to the flow using row spacings and plant populations recommended by crop management specialists. Measurements of discharge rate and flow velocity were used to calculate roughness coefficients for Reynolds number values ranging from approximately 530 to 22,000. Regression equations which relate roughness coefficients to plant population, row spacing, and Reynolds number were developed from the laboratory data. With the exception of wheat placed perpendicular to flow, roughness coefficients produced by standing vegetation were negligible. On upland agricultural areas, total hydraulic roughness will be influenced primarily by frictional drag over the soil surface, and residue and ground cover

Chemical Tracing Techniques for Evaluating Rill Hydraulics

Development of water erοsiοn and surface water quality control practices requires information concerning the hydraulic characteristics of upland areas. The relatively small flow rates normally found within rills make measurement of hydraulic parameters difficult. Chemical tracing procedures, originally developed for stream and river systems, have been successfully used to measure rill flow properties. A chemical tracer of known concentration is added to the rill and by knowing the degree of dilutiοn at a downstream sampling point, flow rate can be calculated. Rill flow velocity can be measured by determining the time required for a slug of tracer material to travel a designated distance. Measurements of flow rate and velοcity can be used tο calculate οther hydraulic variables. The ability to understand and properly mοdel rill flοw will improve as additional information [is gathered]

Hydraulic Characteristics of Rills

Rill density and rill flow rates were determined during rainfall simulation tests conducted at 11 sites located throughout the eastern United States. A mean rill density of 1.0 rills/m was found for the study locations. From measurements of the relative distribution of flow rates, a procedure is identified for partitioning flow between individual rills. Regression equations were developed for relating rill width and hydraulic roughness coefficients to flow rate. Equations were also derived for predicting mean flow velocity from visually determined measurements of advance velocity. Information reported in this study can be used to estimate hydraulic characteristics of rills

Hydraulic Conditions Required to Move Unanchored Residue Materials

Hydraulic conditions required to initiate movement of unanchored residue materials are identified in the present study. Selected amounts of corn, cotton, pine needles, sorghum, soybean, sunflower, and wheat residue are placed in a flume on a sand surface, and flow is then introduced at the top of the flume in progressive increments. The discharge rate and flow velocity necessary to cause residue movement are determined. The ratio of critical flow depth to residue diameter, critical Reynolds number, critical shear stress, dimensionless shear stress, and boundary Reynolds number are calculated from hydraulic measurements. Regression equations are developed to relate dimensionless shear stress to boundary Reynolds number and residue diameter. Boundary Reynolds number, in turn, is related to residue diameter and cover. Close agreement is found between predicted and actual parameter values obtained from the regression relations. The regression equations can be used to estimate the beginning of motion for other residue materials if residue diameter and cover are known