Hydraulic control of a zero-PV rotating channel ($Q_c=\frac{b}{g}[\sqrt{g{h}_1+(fb{)}^2/16}-fb/4{]}^3$)

At a hydraulic control, the specific-energy function of a zero-potential-vorticity rotating channel flow is stationary with respect to wall depth at fixed discharge and width. Writing $v=u_1+fb/2$ gives $v(v+fb/2)=g{h}_1$ and $Q_c=b{v}^3/g$, hence the displayed discharge. The fully wetted positive-flow solution requires $fb<\sqrt{2g{h}_1}$; at equality the other wall dries and the first wall velocity vanishes. Beyond that limit the assumed two-wet-wall profile must be replaced.