Orient the flow so , and let subscripts 1 and 2 denote upstream and downstream. The mechanical energy flux is , where . Inserting the relation for in i gives the hydraulic jump head loss,
An admissible jump dissipates mechanical energy, so . The denominator is positive, hence
The zero depth-change case is continuous flow. A depth-decreasing discontinuity would require an energy input at the jump; it is not the dissipative hydraulic jump selected by this model.