Estimation of stream water quality parameter using regime channel theory

For predicting and forecasting fate of non-conservative pollutants downstream from source using advection–dispersion–decay equation (ADDE), estimation of three parameters; mean flow velocity (U), longitudinal dispersion co-efficient (D _L) and decay rate co-efficient (λ), is required a priori. In this three parameters model, estimation of D _L holds difficulties and draws interest towards it. The empirical formulae use the field and experimental data of channel and flow characteristics to estimate D _L. In this paper, an innovative approach has been proposed towards the estimation of D _L using regime channel concept. Having known discharge of flow and silt factor of the riverbed material, hydraulic parameters of the channel can be determined theoretically, which in turn can be used to estimate D _L appropriately making use of a suitable empirical formula.