The Distribution of Air in Self-Aerated Flow in a Smooth Open Channel

The high-velocity self-aerated flow in an open channel is characterized by the appearance of "white water" caused by the entrainment of atmospheric air. The phenomenon appears to be made up of two parts. In the lower portion of the flow the entrained air is in the form of bubbles distributed through the flow. Above this region, water particles projected outward from the flow by the intense normal velocity fluctuations give rise to the highly agitated appearance of the flow.