Hydrodynamics of sinuous channel with seepage

An experimental investigation was conducted in a sinuous channel to study the hydrodynamics of the channel under two different conditions: (1) no seepage and (2) downward seepage. In particular, the effects on mean and turbulent flow structure has been described. In the two different conditions, three-dimensional flow parameters such as time-averaged velocity, Reynolds shear stress and turbulence intensity shows modifications in their distributions. The presence of helical flow in bends was revealed by the Reynolds stress distribution. Downward seepage allows water to move out from the porous boundaries of the channel in lateral direction. The flow at the interface between the surface water and the groundwater increases with downward seepage. The results can be relevant for the understanding of the hydrodynamics in sinuous natural channels with downward seepage.