Incoprea Theory
Vol. XXIV · 219

Theory 30/Glacial lake outbursts/Ratio lens

Peak Flow Is Volume Against Breach

The claim

Peak discharge is set by the ratio of lake volume to breach width, so a large lake draining through a narrow breach produces a sharper flood than a small lake through a wide one.

01Mechanism

Discharge depends on head and outlet area; the ratio sets how quickly the lake empties.

02Prediction

Peak flow should track the ratio.

03Refutation

Peak flow tracking lake volume would remove breach geometry.