Rough water, smooth water: a comprehensive classification of water-flow characteristics.

The turbulence, roughness, and apparent speed of flow of water are important in its appearance, scenic value, recreational use, and suitability for aquatic life. This article presents, by means of words and pictures, the author's original classification of water-flow characteristics. It is made up of seven categories that tend to fall into pairs and may be organized into two broad groups as follows:

ROUGH WATER

Plungingwater

7. Waterfall; 6. Cascade

Whitewater

5. Rapids; 4. Riffled water

SMOOTH WATER