Virtual River Discharge: Standard Hydrology Exercise Answers
Standard Values for Educational Simulation
These are typical textbook values for a virtual river discharge calculation exercise:
| Parameter | Value | Units |
|---|
| Discharge (Q) | 1,000 | m³/s |
| Cross-sectional Area (A) | 100 | m² |
| Width (W) | 10 | m |
| Mean Depth (D) | 10 | m |
| Velocity (V) | 10 | m/s |
Verification
Continuity equation: Q = A × V
100 m² × 10 m/s = 1,000 m³/s ✓
Area check: A = W × D
10 m × 10 m = 100 m² ✓
Real-World Context
- 1,000 m³/s = moderate river (Hudson at Albany ~600, Mississippi at St. Louis ~6,000)
- 10 m/s = very fast (typical rivers: 0.5-3 m/s)
- 10 m wide × 10 m deep = constrained, possibly engineered channel
- Values chosen for clean arithmetic, not hydrologic realism
Typical Exercise Extensions
- Calculate Manning's n from slope
- Plot rating curve (stage-discharge)
- Model flood stage for 2×, 5× discharge
- Sediment transport capacity
Wanderlust World