Kanaalprofiel

Kanaalprofiel is a term used in hydraulic engineering and geography to describe the geometry of a canal’s cross-sectional shape and how this geometry varies along the channel. It includes information about width, depth, bottom and bank slopes, and roughness, and is used to characterize the capacity and behavior of a watercourse.

The kanaalprofiel is fundamental for determining hydraulic performance, including discharge capacity, energy losses, and sediment transport. It supports design, optimization, flood risk assessment, and maintenance planning for both drainage canals and navigable channels. In practice, engineers analyze existing profiles to evaluate current conditions and to design new channels or modifications.

A kanaalprofiel comprises several elements: the cross-sectional shape, the top width, water depth, bottom width, bed and bank slopes, roughness (or friction) coefficients, bed level, and freeboard. Profiles can be represented as a set of cross-sections taken at regular intervals along the canal (dwarsprofielen) or as a longitudinal profile along the canal centerline.

Common cross-section shapes include trapezoidal, rectangular, U-shaped, and V-shaped profiles. Many engineered channels are lined with concrete or other materials, while others are unlined earth channels with vegetation. Roughness and infiltration characteristics vary with lining and land use.

Data for kanaalprofiel are gathered by surveying, bathymetric measurements, or photogrammetry, and are often stored in GIS or hydraulic models. Modern practice uses digital elevation models to interpolate between sections, creating a continuous profile for open-channel flow calculations such as Manning’s equation. In the Netherlands, kanaalprofiel is a standard concept in water management and canal design.