Horizontal Grade Inlet Calculator

Use the FHWA HEC-21 horizontal-grade equations to calculate maximum inlet spacing, minimum inlet perimeter, design discharge, contributing area, and curb depth for flat or near-flat roadway decks.

HEC-21 Design Inputs

FHWA horizontal bridge procedure

Design Hydrology

HEC-21 typically uses 0.9 for paved bridge decks

in/hr

Intensity for the selected return period at a 5-minute duration

Deck Geometry

ft

Width from the crown or drainage divide to one curb

ft

Maximum top width of drainage against the curb

ft/ft

Dimensionless; 0.02 equals a 2% cross slope

ft/ft

Use the absolute grade magnitude; maximum 0.003

Surface

FHWA package default: 0.016

Ready to size the inlet layout

Enter the five-minute storm intensity and flat-deck geometry to calculate both independent FHWA design limits.

For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for professional engineering judgment.

Powered by DrainageCalculators.com — free drainage & stormwater calculators