How to use the stream discharge calculator
Estimate river discharge from width, depth and speed. Enter width, mean depth, mean velocity in the fields above; the discharge, discharge are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Formula
Variables
- w — Width (m)
- d — Mean depth (m)
- v — Mean velocity (m/s)
Worked example
With width = 8 m, mean depth = 0.6 m, mean velocity = 0.8 m/s, the calculator gives discharge ≈ 3.84 m³/s; discharge ≈ 3,840 L/s.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the stream discharge calculation?
Discharge (m³/s) = w × d × v. Discharge (L/s) = [Discharge] × 1000. Here w is width (m), d is mean depth (m), v is mean velocity (m/s).
What inputs do I need for the stream discharge calculator?
You need width in m, mean depth in m, mean velocity in m/s. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use this calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.