Open-Channel Hydraulics

Rating:
Summary: A Classic for a Reason
Review: A professor teaching my Open Channel Flow class stated that this book is widely regarded as "The Bible" of open channel hydraulics. After reviewing a library copy, I was so impressed with it that I bought one for myself. The text is written in a clear, concise language that is sorely lacking in other texts. His chapter on energy and momentum principles is especially good. Sure, it's an old text (1959) but 98% of this book is still relevant. There's a reason it still in print; engineers love it and continue to buy it!

Incidentally, I found the review of this book by Hubert Chanson to be at best, disingenuous. He rates the book with only one star (every other reviewer gave it 5 stars) while at the same time recommending a "better" text that he fails to mention he authored and is out of print! There's one in every crowd.

Rating:
Summary: A Classic for a Reason
Review: The book had been a solid handbook for hydraulic engineers, although it was never an easy book for students. As an experienced lecturer, I feel that Chow's book is everything but pedagogic. I would not recommend it to young professionals and students.

Further it has become outdated with the years. For example, the section on spilwlays (Part IV) is no longer the state of the art. The material is also presented in imperial units. In my opinion, a number of very good books are now on the market and they fullfil the needs of professionals and students. For example the "Hydraulics of Open Channel Flow", ASCE Publ. is a solid reference, while "The Hydraulics of Open Channel Flow: an Introduction", Butterworth-Heinemann, is a very good student text.

I am very surprised by some reviews that forgot the age and deficiencies of the book.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This is superb text, a standard for over 40 years and for justcause. The explanations are clear and easy to understand--providingexplanation of theory, for example momentum versus energy and confusion between the two.

Rating:
Summary: A must-have for hydraulic engineers
Review: This is the foundational text of modern open-channel hydraulics. All engineers should have a copy. The only negative review on this page (or that I have ever heard) is by an author (Hubert Chanson) of books which compete with this one.