Flow Diversion Banks Part 2: Earth slopes

DRAINAGE CONTROL TECHNIQUE

Low Gradient ✔ Velocity Control Short Term ✔

Steep Gradient Channel Lining Medium-Long Term ✔
Outlet Control Soil Treatment Permanent [1]
[1] Flow diversion banks are not commonly used as permanent drainage structures.

Symbol

Photo 8 – Flow diversion bank down- Photo 9 – Earth flow diversion bank used
slope of a future pipeline installation to direct runoff towards the Slope Drain

Key Principles
1. Key design parameters are the effective flow capacity of the structure, and the scour
resistance of the embankment material.
2. The critical operational issue is usually preventing structural damage to the embankment as
a result of high velocity flows or construction traffic.
3. Flow diversion banks are often favoured over Catch Drains in areas containing dispersive
subsoil because their construction does not require exposure of the subsoils.

Design Information
The material contained within this fact sheet has been supplied for use by persons experienced
in hydraulic design.
The recommended dimensional requirements of flow diversion banks are outlined in Table 1
(refer to the fact sheet: Flow Diversion Banks, Part 1 – General).
Recommended allowable flow velocities for open earth surfaces are provided in Table 4. The
maximum flow velocity (i.e. the velocity most likely to cause erosion of the earth surface) is most
likely to occur at the toe of the embankment where flow depth (y) is a maximum, as shown in
Figure 3. In wide, shallow drains, such as typically occur adjacent flow diversion banks, the local
flow velocity is dependent on the local flow depth rather than the hydraulic radius (R).
Table 5 presented the expected maximum flow velocity for various maximum flow depths and
longitudinal channel gradients.
Tables 9 to 18 provide the expected flow capacity for flow diversion bank operating a various
maximum flow depths on an open earth surface. These tables are based on an embankment
side slope of 2:1 (H:V), and a Manning’s roughness determined from Equation 1, but limited to a
maximum value of, n = 0.2.
Note; flow capacity is presented in units of [L/s] in Tables 9 to 13, and units of [m3/s] in Tables
14 to 18.

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - May 2010 Page 1

 Table 4 – Allowable flow velocity for earth surfaces

Soil type Allowable velocity Comments

Extremely erodible 0.3m/s • Dispersive clays are highly erodible even
soils at low flow velocities and therefore must
be either treated (e.g. with gypsum) or
Sandy soils 0.45m/s
covered with a minimum 100mm of
Highly erodible soils 0.4 to 0.5m/s stable soil.
Sandy loam soils • Highly erodible soils may include:
0.5m/s Lithosols, Alluvials, Podzols, Siliceous
Moderately erodible 0.6m/s sands, Soloths, Solodized solonetz, Grey
soils podzolics, some Black earths, fine
surface texture-contrast soils and Soil
Silty loam soils 0.6m/s Groups ML and CL.
Low erodible soils 0.7m/s • Moderately erodible soils may include:
Red earths, Red or Yellow podzolics,
Firm loam soils 0.7m/s some Black earths, Grey or Brown clays,
Prarie soils and Soil Groups SW, SP,
Stiff clay very 1.1m/s SM, SC.
colloidal soils
• Erosion-resistant soils may include:
Xanthozem, Euchrozem, Krasnozems,
some Red earth soils and Soil Groups
GW, GP, GM, GC, MH and CH.

Table 5 – Maximum flow velocity (toe of embankment) on earth surface (m/s) [1]

Flow Gradient (S) along drain (%)

depth 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 8
0.05 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.07 0.10 0.13 0.28 0.51 0.72 0.91
0.10 0.06 0.13 0.24 0.33 0.42 0.50 0.83 1.35 1.78 2.16
0.15 0.15 0.26 0.44 0.58 0.71 0.83 1.33 2.10
0.20 0.23 0.38 0.62 0.81 0.99 1.14 1.80 2.79
0.25 0.31 0.50 0.79 1.03 1.24 1.44 2.23
0.30 0.38 0.61 0.96 1.24 1.49 1.72 2.64
0.35 0.45 0.71 1.11 1.44 1.73 1.98
0.40 0.52 0.82 1.27 1.63 1.95 2.24
0.45 0.59 0.92 1.42 1.82 2.17
0.50 0.65 1.01 1.56 2.00
[1] Maximum flow velocity refers to the maximum local flow velocity, which would occur adjacent the toe
of the flow diversion bank at the point of maximum flow depth. The velocity has been determined
using Manning’s equation based on a hydraulic radius (R) equal to the local flow depth (y), and
Manning’s roughness determined from Equation 1. These flow velocities are significantly greater than
the “average” velocity within a given cross-section.

Figure 3 – Location of maximum flow velocity

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - May 2010 Page 2

Tables 6 to 8 provide typical Manning’s n values.

Table 6 – Typical Manning’s n roughness for deepwater flow conditions [1]

Manning’s Manning’s
Channel description roughness Channel description roughness
Smooth earth surface, few, if 0.02 Concrete (smooth) 0.013
any, irregularities, sediment
deposits, or loose surface Concrete (rough) 0.015
material. Asphalt (smooth) 0.013
Slightly irregular earth 0.04 Asphalt (rough) 0.016
surface with minor
irregularities equivalent to Excavated open soil 0.020
that produced if an Erosion Gravel lined 0.025
Control Blanket was pinned
across the surface. Earth with short grass 0.030

[1] Developed from Chow (1959)

Table 7 – Manning’s roughness for various channel linings [1]

Flow depth
Material Flow depth less Flow depth of greater than
than 150mm 150 to 600mm 600mm
Plastic sheeting 0.013
Concrete 0.015 0.013 0.013
Asphalt 0.018 0.016 0.016
Straw (loose) covered with net 0.065 0.033 0.025
Jute net/mesh 0.028 0.022 0.019
Wood excelsior blanket 0.066 0.035 0.028
Turf Reinf. Mat – unvegetated 0.036 0.026 0.020
Turf Reinf. Mat – grassed 0.023 0.020 0.020
[1] Developed from Fifield (2001)

Table 8 – Manning’s roughness for earth and lightly grassed surfaces [1]
Drain slope in direction of flow (%)
R (m)
1 2 3 4 5 10
0.05 0.100 0.070 0.059 0.053 0.049 0.040
0.10 0.043 0.037 0.034 0.032 0.031 0.027
0.15 0.034 0.030 0.028 0.027 0.026 0.024
0.20 0.030 0.027 0.025 0.025 0.024 0.022
0.25 0.028 0.025 0.024 0.023 0.023 0.021
0.30 0.026 0.024 0.023 0.022 0.022 0.020
0.40 0.024 0.022 0.022 0.021 0.020 0.020
0.50 0.023 0.022 0.021 0.020 0.020 0.020
[1] Values developed from Class E curve (Equation 1) for earth, burnt grass and lightly grassed surfaces
(units of R [m] and S [m/m]). Note, minimum recommended Manning’s roughness, n = 0.02. Caution
use of Equation 1 for low values of hydraulic radius (negative values can occur).

R1/ 6
Class E roughness: n= (Eqn 1)
67.10 + 23.35 log10 (R1.4 . S0.4 )

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - May 2010 Page 3

Hydraulic design of flow diversion banks:
Step 1 Determine the required design discharge based on the effective catchment area of
the flow diversion bank.
Step 2 Determine the cross-sectional profile and surface condition. This fact sheet
assumes the flow surface primarily consists of fully exposed or poorly vegetated
earth.
Step 3 Determine the allowable flow velocity for the surface material from Table 4. Note;
this is based on the surface of least scour resistance, whether the embankment or
the adjacent slope.
Step 4 If the longitudinal gradient (S) of the drainage channel formed by the bank is known
(i.e. set by site conditions), then determine the maximum allowable flow depth (y)
from Table 5 given the allowable flow velocity determined in Step 3.
The maximum allowable flow depth (y) can also be determined directly from:

(n . V ) 3 / 2
y = (S has units of m/m)
S 3/4
If the longitudinal gradient of the drainage channel is not set by site conditions, then
nominate a gradient from Table 5 based on a desirable maximum flow depth.
The maximum allowable longitudinal drainage gradient (S) can also be determined
directly from:

(n . V ) 2
S = (S has units of m/m)
y 4/3
Step 5 Determine the Manning’s roughness (n) from Tables 6 to 8, or Equation 1, as
appropriate for the site conditions.
Step 6 Determine the cross-sectional flow area (A) and hydraulic radius (R).
Step 7 Determine the maximum allowable flow capacity (Q) of the flow diversion bank
based on the values of n, A, R and S determined above.

Manning equation: Q = (1/n) A R 2/3 S 1/2

Tables 9 to 18 provide flow capacities based on a simple triangular cross-

sectional profile, an embankment side slope of 2:1 (H:V), and a Manning’s
roughness for open earth determined from Equation 1, but limited to a
maximum value of, n = 0.2.
If the maximum flow capacity is less than the design discharge determined in Step
1, then it will be necessary to reduce the effective catchment area and design
discharge of the flow diversion bank.
Alternatively, the scour resistance of the surface condition could be improved
through appropriate erosion control measures, or the longitudinal gradient (S) of the
drainage channel. Determine the required gradient (S) using Manning’s equation.

(n . V ) 2
S = (S has units of m/m)
y 4/3
Step 8 Determined the required freeboard given the embankment type – refer to Table 1 in
fact sheet: Flow Diversion Banks, Part 1 – General.
Step 9 Ensure suitable conditions exist (e.g. machinery access) to construct and maintain
the embankment.
Step 10 Specify the overall dimensions of the flow diversion bank, including freeboard.
Step 11 Ensure the drainage embankment discharges to an appropriate, stable outlet.
Step 12 Appropriately consider all likely safety issues, and modify the embankment and/or
surrounding environment where required.

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - May 2010 Page 4

Design example:
Design a short-term, non-vegetated, topsoil flow diversion bank capable of carrying a design
discharge of 0.2m3/s across a slope with a gradient of 5% (20:1) (note; this is the gradient of the
land slope, not the drain slope). Both the topsoil embankment and the exposed earth surface is
considered to be representative of erosion-resistant, loamy soil.

Step 1 The required design discharge is 0.2m3/s.

Step 2 Assume a simple triangular cross-sectional profile with fully exposed earth surface.
Step 3 From Table 4, adopt an allowable flow velocity, Vallow = 0.7m/s.
Step 4 A non-vegetated embankment is assumed, thus the recommended minimum
freeboard is 300mm. This means for an embankment height of 500mm, the
maximum flow depth (y) is 500 - 300 = 200mm. If is flow depth is insufficient, then an
embankment height greater than 500mm should be considered.
Given y = 200mm, and Vallow = 0.7m/s, choose a longitudinal gradient (S) of 0.5%
from Table 5.
Step 5 Hydraulic capacity will be determined from Table 12, therefore Manning’s roughness
will be based on Equation 1.
Step 6 There is no need to determine the cross-sectional flow area (A) and hydraulic radius
(R) because the supplied design tables will be used. However, for demonstration
purposes, given a maximum flow depth, y = 0.2m; embankment side slope, a = 2;
and land slope, b = 20 (i.e. 5%); then:
A = 0.440m2 (not final design)
R = 0.099m
n = 0.05
Step 7 Given a maximum flow depth, y = 0.2m; land slope of 5%; and longitudinal drain
slope, S = 0.5%; from Table 12 the maximum flow capacity (Q) is:
Qmax = 125L/s = 0.125m3/s < 0.2m3/s Problem!
Thus the flow diversion bank will not have adequate flow capacity to carry the design
discharge of 0.2m3/s.
Thus, try an increased maximum flow depth, y = 0.3m (thus the minimum
embankment height will now be 0.3 + 0.3 = 0.6m).
From Table 5, try a drain slope, S = 0.2%
From Table 14, Qmax = 0.252m3/s > 0.2m3/s OK
Step 8 From Table 1 the required minimum freeboard for a non-vegetated earth
embankment is 300mm.
Step 9 Ensure suitable conditions exist (e.g. machinery access) to construct and maintain
the embankment.
Step 10 Specify the overall dimensions of the flow diversion bank, including freeboard.
Embankment height of 600mm
Embankment side slopes of 2:1 (H:V)
Base width of embankment of 2900mm
Freeboard of 300mm
Longitudinal gradient of embankment of 0.2%
Step 11 Ensure the drainage embankment discharges to an appropriate, stable outlet.
Step 12 Appropriately consider all likely safety issues, and modify the embankment and/or
surrounding environment where required.

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - May 2010 Page 5

Note, the allowable flow depth (y) is limited by the drain gradient and the allowable flow velocity.

Table 9 – Flow capacity (L/s) for flow diversion banks on earth surface [1]

Flow diversion bank on earth surface Flow depth, y = 0.05m

Land Gradient (S) along drain (%)
slope % 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 8
1 1.72 2.43 3.44 4.22 4.87 5.44 7.70 10.9 16.2 25.3
2 0.88 1.24 1.75 2.15 2.48 2.77 3.92 5.54 8.16 12.8
3 0.59 0.84 1.19 1.46 1.68 1.88 2.66 3.76 5.48 8.63
4 0.45 0.64 0.91 1.11 1.28 1.43 2.03 2.87 4.14 6.53
5 0.37 0.52 0.74 0.90 1.04 1.17 1.65 2.33 3.33 5.28
6 0.31 0.44 0.62 0.77 0.88 0.99 1.40 1.98 2.80 4.44
7 0.27 0.38 0.54 0.67 0.77 0.86 1.22 1.72 2.41 3.84
8 0.24 0.34 0.48 0.59 0.68 0.77 1.08 1.53 2.12 3.39
9 0.22 0.31 0.44 0.54 0.62 0.69 0.98 1.38 1.89 3.03
10 0.20 0.28 0.40 0.49 0.56 0.63 0.89 1.26 1.71 2.75
12 0.17 0.24 0.34 0.42 0.48 0.54 0.77 1.08 1.44 2.33
15 0.14 0.20 0.29 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.64 0.90 1.16 1.90
20 0.11 0.16 0.23 0.28 0.32 0.36 0.51 0.73 0.89 1.46
25 0.10 0.14 0.20 0.24 0.28 0.31 0.44 0.62 0.76 1.19
33.3 0.08 0.11 0.16 0.20 0.23 0.25 0.36 0.51 0.62 0.91
50 0.06 0.09 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.28 0.40 0.49 0.61
3
[1] NOTE: Flow rate is presented in units of litres per second, not m /s as used in Tables 14 to 18.

Table 10 – Flow capacity (L/s) for flow diversion banks on earth surface [1]

Flow diversion bank on earth surface Flow depth, y = 0.10m

Land Gradient (S) along drain (%)
slope % 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 8
1 10.9 15.5 21.9 33.4 50.4 66.7 140 262 366 460
2 5.56 7.87 11.1 16.8 25.5 33.8 70.8 133 186 234
3 3.77 5.34 7.55 11.3 17.2 22.8 47.9 89.8 126 158
4 2.88 4.07 5.76 8.57 13.0 17.3 36.4 68.4 95.8 121
5 2.34 3.31 4.68 6.91 10.5 14.0 29.5 55.5 77.8 97.9
6 1.98 2.81 3.97 5.80 8.87 11.8 24.9 46.9 65.8 82.8
7 1.73 2.44 3.46 5.01 7.67 10.2 21.6 40.7 57.2 72.0
8 1.54 2.17 3.07 4.42 6.77 9.03 19.2 36.1 50.7 63.8
9 1.39 1.96 2.77 3.95 6.08 8.11 17.2 32.5 45.7 57.5
10 1.27 1.79 2.54 3.58 5.51 7.37 15.7 29.6 41.6 52.5
12 1.09 1.54 2.18 3.01 4.67 6.25 13.4 25.3 35.6 44.9
15 0.91 1.28 1.82 2.45 3.82 5.13 11.0 21.0 29.5 37.2
20 0.73 1.03 1.46 1.87 2.95 4.00 8.69 16.6 23.4 29.5
25 0.62 0.88 1.24 1.52 2.42 3.30 7.26 13.9 19.7 24.9
33.3 0.51 0.72 1.02 1.25 1.88 2.59 5.80 11.2 15.9 20.2
50 0.40 0.56 0.80 0.98 1.29 1.82 4.26 8.40 12.0 15.2
3
[1] NOTE: Flow rate is presented in units of litres per second, not m /s as used in Tables 14 to 18.

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - May 2010 Page 6

Note, the allowable flow depth (y) is limited by the drain gradient and the allowable flow velocity.

Table 11 – Flow capacity (L/s) for flow diversion banks on earth surface

Flow diversion bank on earth surface Flow depth, y = 0.15m

Land Gradient (S) along drain (%)
slope % 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 8
1 32.2 71.4 157 232 301 364 640 1082 1452 1780
2 16.4 36.1 79.5 118 153 185 325 550 738 905
3 11.1 24.3 53.7 79.6 103 125 220 372 500 613
4 8.49 18.5 40.8 60.5 78.5 95.3 168 284 381 467
5 6.91 14.9 33.1 49.1 63.7 77.3 136 230 309 380
6 5.85 12.6 27.9 41.5 53.8 65.4 115 195 262 321
7 5.10 10.9 24.2 36.0 46.8 56.8 100 170 228 279
8 4.53 9.60 21.4 31.9 41.5 50.4 88.8 150 202 248
9 4.09 8.61 19.3 28.7 37.3 45.3 80.0 136 182 224
10 3.74 7.82 17.6 26.1 34.0 41.3 73.0 124 166 204
12 3.21 6.62 14.9 22.3 29.0 35.3 62.4 106 142 175
15 2.68 5.42 12.3 18.4 24.0 29.2 51.8 88.0 118 145
20 2.15 4.20 9.68 14.5 19.0 23.1 41.1 70.0 94.2 116
25 1.83 3.45 8.07 12.2 15.9 19.4 34.6 59.1 79.6 97.8
33.3 1.50 2.67 6.42 9.75 12.8 15.7 28.1 48.0 64.8 79.7
50 1.17 1.84 4.68 7.21 9.55 11.7 21.2 36.6 49.5 61.0
3
[1] NOTE: Flow rate is presented in units of litres per second, not m /s as used in Tables 14 to 18.

Table 12 – Flow capacity (L/s) for flow diversion banks on earth surface

Flow diversion bank on earth surface Flow depth, y = 0.20m

Land Gradient (S) along drain (%)
slope % 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 8
1 187 264 488 680 852 1011 1687 2747 3625 4398
2 94.8 134 248 345 433 514 857 1397 1843 2236
3 64.1 90.6 168 234 293 348 581 947 1249 1516
4 48.7 68.9 128 178 223 265 442 721 952 1155
5 39.5 55.9 104 145 181 215 359 586 774 939
6 33.4 47.2 87.6 122 153 182 304 496 655 795
7 29.0 41.0 76.1 106 133 158 264 431 570 691
8 25.7 36.3 67.5 94.2 118 140 235 383 506 614
9 23.1 32.7 60.8 84.9 107 127 212 345 456 554
10 21.0 29.7 55.4 77.4 97.2 115 193 315 416 506
12 17.9 25.4 47.3 66.2 83.1 98.8 165 270 357 433
15 14.8 21.0 39.2 54.9 69.0 82.0 137 225 297 360
20 11.7 16.5 31.0 43.5 54.8 65.2 109 179 237 287
25 9.8 13.8 26.1 36.6 46.2 54.9 92.4 151 200 243
33.3 7.81 11.1 21.0 29.7 37.4 44.6 75.2 123 163 199
50 5.76 8.15 15.8 22.4 28.3 33.8 57.4 94.6 125 153
3
[1] NOTE: Flow rate is presented in units of litres per second, not m /s as used in Tables 14 to 18.

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - May 2010 Page 7

Note, the allowable flow depth (y) is limited by the drain gradient and the allowable flow velocity.

Table 13 – Flow capacity (L/s) for flow diversion banks on earth surface

Flow diversion bank on earth surface Flow depth, y = 0.25m

Land Gradient (S) along drain (%)
slope % 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 8
1 439 621 1078 1464 1808 2123 3451 5513 7205 8691
2 223 315 548 744 919 1079 1754 2803 3664 4420
3 151 213 371 504 623 731 1189 1900 2484 2996
4 115 162 283 384 474 557 906 1448 1893 2284
5 93.2 132 229 312 385 453 736 1177 1539 1857
6 78.8 111 194 264 326 383 623 996 1302 1572
7 68.5 96.8 169 229 283 333 542 867 1134 1368
8 60.7 85.9 150 204 252 296 481 770 1007 1215
9 54.7 77.4 135 183 227 267 434 694 908 1096
10 49.9 70.5 123 167 207 243 396 634 829 1001
12 42.6 60.3 105 143 177 208 339 543 710 857
15 35.3 49.9 87.4 119 147 173 282 452 591 714
20 28.0 39.6 69.4 94.6 117 138 225 360 472 570
25 23.5 33.2 58.5 79.8 98.9 116 190 305 400 483
33.3 19.0 26.8 47.4 64.9 80.4 94.8 155 249 327 395
50 14.3 20.2 35.9 49.3 61.3 72.4 119 192 252 304
3
[1] NOTE: Flow rate is presented in units of litres per second, not m /s as used in Tables 14 to 18.

Table 14 – Flow capacity (m3/s) for flow diversion banks on earth surface

Flow diversion bank on earth surface Flow depth, y = 0.30m

Land Gradient (S) along drain (%)
slope % 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 8
1 0.680 1.185 1.992 2.666 3.263 3.809 6.093 9.615 12.49 15.01
2 0.345 0.602 1.012 1.355 1.659 1.937 3.098 4.890 6.353 7.635
3 0.234 0.408 0.686 0.918 1.124 1.312 2.100 3.315 4.307 5.176
4 0.178 0.310 0.522 0.699 0.857 1.000 1.601 2.527 3.283 3.946
5 0.144 0.252 0.424 0.568 0.696 0.813 1.301 2.054 2.669 3.208
6 0.122 0.213 0.359 0.481 0.589 0.688 1.101 1.739 2.259 2.716
7 0.106 0.185 0.312 0.418 0.512 0.598 0.958 1.513 1.967 2.364
8 0.094 0.164 0.277 0.371 0.455 0.531 0.851 1.344 1.747 2.100
9 0.085 0.148 0.250 0.335 0.410 0.479 0.767 1.212 1.576 1.894
10 0.077 0.135 0.228 0.305 0.374 0.437 0.700 1.107 1.439 1.730
12 0.066 0.116 0.195 0.262 0.321 0.374 0.600 0.949 1.233 1.483
15 0.055 0.096 0.162 0.217 0.267 0.311 0.499 0.790 1.027 1.235
20 0.043 0.076 0.129 0.173 0.212 0.248 0.398 0.630 0.820 0.986
25 0.036 0.064 0.109 0.146 0.179 0.210 0.337 0.534 0.695 0.836
33.3 0.029 0.052 0.089 0.119 0.146 0.171 0.275 0.437 0.569 0.684
50 0.022 0.039 0.067 0.091 0.112 0.131 0.212 0.337 0.439 0.528

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - May 2010 Page 8

Note, the allowable flow depth (y) is limited by the drain gradient and the allowable flow velocity.

Table 15 – Flow capacity (m3/s) for flow diversion banks on earth surface

Flow diversion bank on earth surface Flow depth, y = 0.35m

Land Gradient (S) along drain (%)
slope % 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 8
1 1.181 1.998 3.290 4.361 5.309 6.171 9.766 15.28 19.76 23.68
2 0.600 1.015 1.672 2.217 2.699 3.138 4.966 7.771 10.05 12.05
3 0.406 0.688 1.133 1.503 1.829 2.127 3.366 5.268 6.815 8.168
4 0.309 0.524 0.863 1.145 1.394 1.621 2.566 4.016 5.196 6.227
5 0.251 0.426 0.701 0.930 1.133 1.317 2.086 3.265 4.224 5.063
6 0.212 0.360 0.593 0.787 0.959 1.115 1.765 2.764 3.576 4.286
7 0.185 0.313 0.516 0.685 0.834 0.970 1.536 2.406 3.113 3.731
8 0.164 0.278 0.458 0.608 0.741 0.861 1.365 2.137 2.765 3.315
9 0.148 0.250 0.413 0.548 0.668 0.777 1.231 1.928 2.495 2.991
10 0.135 0.228 0.377 0.501 0.610 0.709 1.124 1.760 2.278 2.731
12 0.115 0.196 0.323 0.429 0.522 0.608 0.963 1.509 1.953 2.341
15 0.095 0.162 0.269 0.357 0.435 0.506 0.802 1.257 1.627 1.951
20 0.076 0.129 0.214 0.284 0.346 0.403 0.640 1.003 1.300 1.558
25 0.064 0.109 0.181 0.240 0.293 0.341 0.542 0.850 1.102 1.321
33.3 0.052 0.089 0.147 0.196 0.239 0.279 0.443 0.696 0.902 1.083
50 0.039 0.067 0.113 0.150 0.184 0.214 0.341 0.537 0.697 0.837

Table 16 – Flow capacity (m3/s) for flow diversion banks on earth surface

Flow diversion bank on earth surface Flow depth, y = 0.40m

Land Gradient (S) along drain (%)
slope % 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 8
1 1.867 3.099 5.030 6.625 8.030 9.308 14.61 22.72 29.29 35.02
2 0.949 1.575 2.557 3.369 4.084 4.734 7.432 11.55 14.90 17.82
3 0.643 1.067 1.733 2.283 2.768 3.208 5.038 7.833 10.10 12.08
4 0.489 0.813 1.321 1.740 2.110 2.446 3.841 5.972 7.702 9.211
5 0.397 0.660 1.073 1.414 1.715 1.988 3.122 4.855 6.262 7.489
6 0.336 0.559 0.908 1.197 1.451 1.682 2.643 4.110 5.301 6.340
7 0.292 0.486 0.790 1.041 1.263 1.464 2.300 3.578 4.615 5.520
8 0.259 0.431 0.702 0.925 1.121 1.300 2.043 3.179 4.100 4.904
9 0.234 0.389 0.633 0.834 1.011 1.173 1.843 2.868 3.699 4.425
10 0.213 0.355 0.577 0.761 0.923 1.071 1.683 2.619 3.378 4.041
12 0.182 0.304 0.495 0.652 0.791 0.917 1.442 2.245 2.896 3.465
15 0.152 0.253 0.411 0.543 0.658 0.764 1.201 1.870 2.413 2.887
20 0.120 0.201 0.328 0.433 0.525 0.609 0.959 1.494 1.928 2.307
25 0.102 0.170 0.277 0.366 0.445 0.516 0.813 1.266 1.635 1.957
33.3 0.082 0.138 0.226 0.299 0.363 0.422 0.665 1.037 1.340 1.604
50 0.063 0.106 0.174 0.230 0.279 0.325 0.513 0.802 1.036 1.241

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - May 2010 Page 9

Note, the allowable flow depth (y) is limited by the drain gradient and the allowable flow velocity.

Table 17 – Flow capacity (m3/s) for flow diversion banks on earth surface

Flow diversion bank on earth surface Flow depth, y = 0.45m

Land Gradient (S) along drain (%)
slope % 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 8
1 2.765 4.525 7.270 9.53 11.51 13.31 20.77 32.13 41.32 49.33
2 1.405 2.301 3.697 4.845 5.854 6.771 10.57 16.34 21.02 25.10
3 0.952 1.559 2.505 3.284 3.968 4.590 7.163 11.08 14.25 17.02
4 0.725 1.188 1.909 2.503 3.025 3.499 5.461 8.449 10.87 12.98
5 0.589 0.965 1.552 2.034 2.459 2.844 4.440 6.869 8.836 10.55
6 0.498 0.817 1.313 1.722 2.081 2.407 3.758 5.816 7.481 8.932
7 0.433 0.710 1.143 1.498 1.811 2.095 3.271 5.063 6.513 7.777
8 0.385 0.631 1.015 1.331 1.609 1.861 2.906 4.498 5.786 6.909
9 0.347 0.569 0.915 1.200 1.451 1.679 2.622 4.058 5.221 6.234
10 0.316 0.519 0.835 1.096 1.325 1.533 2.394 3.706 4.768 5.694
12 0.271 0.445 0.716 0.939 1.135 1.313 2.052 3.177 4.088 4.882
15 0.225 0.370 0.596 0.782 0.945 1.094 1.709 2.647 3.407 4.069
20 0.179 0.294 0.475 0.623 0.754 0.873 1.365 2.115 2.723 3.252
25 0.151 0.249 0.402 0.528 0.639 0.739 1.157 1.794 2.310 2.759
33.3 0.123 0.203 0.328 0.431 0.522 0.605 0.947 1.470 1.893 2.263
50 0.094 0.155 0.252 0.332 0.402 0.466 0.732 1.137 1.465 1.752

Table 18 – Flow capacity (m3/s) for flow diversion banks on earth surface

Flow diversion bank on earth surface Flow depth, y = 0.50m

Land Gradient (S) along drain (%)
slope % 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 4 6 8
1 3.899 6.32 10.06 13.14 15.83 18.28 28.38 43.72 56.11 66.89
2 1.982 3.211 5.117 6.680 8.052 9.296 14.44 22.24 28.54 34.03
3 1.343 2.176 3.468 4.528 5.458 6.302 9.787 15.08 19.35 23.07
4 1.023 1.658 2.644 3.452 4.161 4.804 7.462 11.50 14.76 17.60
5 0.831 1.347 2.149 2.806 3.382 3.905 6.067 9.348 12.00 14.31
6 0.703 1.140 1.819 2.375 2.863 3.306 5.136 7.915 10.16 12.11
7 0.612 0.992 1.583 2.067 2.492 2.877 4.471 6.890 8.846 10.55
8 0.543 0.881 1.406 1.836 2.213 2.556 3.972 6.122 7.859 9.371
9 0.490 0.794 1.268 1.656 1.997 2.306 3.583 5.523 7.091 8.456
10 0.447 0.725 1.157 1.512 1.823 2.105 3.272 5.044 6.477 7.723
12 0.383 0.621 0.992 1.296 1.562 1.805 2.805 4.325 5.554 6.623
15 0.318 0.517 0.825 1.079 1.301 1.503 2.337 3.604 4.629 5.521
20 0.253 0.412 0.658 0.861 1.039 1.200 1.867 2.880 3.700 4.413
25 0.214 0.348 0.557 0.729 0.880 1.017 1.583 2.443 3.139 3.745
33.3 0.174 0.284 0.456 0.596 0.720 0.832 1.296 2.003 2.574 3.072
50 0.133 0.218 0.350 0.459 0.555 0.642 1.002 1.550 1.994 2.380

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - May 2010 Page 10