Unit 2 computes the water surface profile in a canal under steady flow conditions. This water surface profile can be used as the initial condition for the unsteady flow computation in Unit 3. Steady flow calculations also allow to test the influence of modifications to structures or canal maintenance, etc.

In addition, a sub-module of the steady flow module computes the offtake gate openings to satisfy given target discharges. Another sub-module computes the cross-regulator gate openings to obtain a given target water surface elevation upstream of the regulator (e.g., Full Supply Depth). These sub-modules therefore allow computation of gate settings to satisfy a given demand-supply configuration of water flows.

In actual canal operations, it should be emphasized that the steady flow regime represents the objective to be attained, and that it is the unsteady flow model which will indicate how best to reach it.