 Finite-reservoir reflection of a cubic-area dam-break rarefaction

An impermeable wall at $x=-\ell$ first receives the upstream-moving head at $t_1$. The leading downstream characteristic curve of the reflected adjustment obeys $\dot{x}=u+c=(12c_0+5x/t)/7$ in the unmodified rarefaction wave, giving the displayed curve. It stays behind the inviscid dry tip $x_f=6c_{0}t$ at every finite time. The finite reservoir drains and its upstream depth decreases, while only the region behind $x_r$ has yet received the wall signal. Bottom drag or other tip physics can change the front law.