---
title: "Sharp Crested Weir | Technical Reference"
slug: "sharp-crested-weir"
description: "Find the data, theory and guidance for the sharp crested weir: a full width sharp crested weir in free or drowned mode with forward or reverse flow. "
tags: ["1D river modelling", "weir"]
updated: 2022-09-21T15:35:39Z
published: 2022-09-21T15:35:39Z
canonical: "help.floodmodeller.com/sharp-crested-weir"
stale: true
---
> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.floodmodeller.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Sharp Crested Weir
The Sharp Crested Weir represents a full width sharp crested weir in free or drowned mode with forward or reverse flow. They are often used as measuring devices - particularly for measuring small flows.
## Data
| Field in Data Entry Field | Description | Name in Datafile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Calibration Coefficient | Calibration coefficient | Cc |
| Breadth of Crest | Breadth of weir at crest (m) | b |
| Elevation of Crest | Elevation of weir crest (mAD) | zc |
| Downstream Height | Height of crest above bed of upstream channel (m) | p1 |
| Upstream Height | Height of crest above bed at downstream channel (m) | p2 |
| Upstream | Upstream node label | Label1 |
| Downstream | Downstream node label | Label2 |
## Theory and Guidance
The Sharp Crested Weir represents a full width sharp crested weir in free or drowned mode with forward or reverse flow.
Sharp crested weirs are often used as measuring devices - particularly for measuring small flows. The equations used for coefficient of discharge were derived by [Kindsvater C.E. and Carter R.W.C. (1957)](/v1/docs/references-1#kind57) for weirs with crests of length less than 2mm in the direction of flow, under which condition the flow estimated is most accurate.
Drowned flow is modelled using the Villemont equations (Submerged Weir Discharge Studies, Engineering News Record, 1947).
The Sharp Crested Weir applies only to full width weirs and the discharge coefficient assume smooth vertical, plane, parallel channel sides. Deviation from the standard specification, which is described in greater detail in [BS3680 (1981 - 90)](/v1/docs/references-1#bs90) Part 4A, will introduce an inaccuracy which should be accounted for through the coefficient Cc.
Reverse flow is permitted but assumes exactly the same equations, conditions and parameters as for forward flow.
### Equations
#### Mode 0 - Dry Crest
| Condition | y1 £ Zc y2 £ Zc |
| --- | --- |
| Equation | Q = 0 |
Figure 1: Sharp Crested Weir parameters
#### Mode 3 - Free Flow
| Condition | y1 > Zc and h2 £ 0 (for forward flow) |
| --- | --- |
| Equation | \| Q = Ce Cc 2/3 Ö(2g) b h11.5 \| (1) \| \| --- \| --- \| where: Ce = 0.602 + 0.075 h1 / p1 g = gravitational acceleration (m/s2) |
| Q = Ce Cc 2/3 Ö(2g) b h11.5 | (1) |
Figure 2: Sharp Crested Weir (free flow)
#### Mode 4 - Drowned Flow
| Condition | y1 > Zc and h2 > 0 (forward flow) |
| --- | --- |
| Equation | \| Q = fr Ce Cc 2/3 Ö (2g) b h11.5 \| (2) \| \| --- \| --- \| where: Ce = 0.602 + 0.075 h1 / p1 fr = [1 - (h2/h1)1.5 ]0.385 g = gravitational acceleration (m/s2) |
| Q = fr Ce Cc 2/3 Ö (2g) b h11.5 | (2) |
Figure 3: Sharp Crested Weir (drowned flow)
### General
The equations are written in terms of water level and not total head. The coefficient of velocity (Cc) is specified by the user and no account is taken for variation of Cc with head.
For a well maintained weir constructed to the standard specification the calibration coefficient should be set to unity.
## Datafile Format
Line 1 - keyword `SCWEIR' [comment]
Line 2 - Label1, Label2
Line 3 - Cc, b, zc
Line 4 - p1, p2
### Example
```none
SCWEIR
UNIT023 UNIT024
1.100 10.000 1.000
1.000 2.000
```