Turbulent vertical momentum transfer in stratified environments

A uniform data base is used to compare five hypotheses of vertical momentum transfer in stratified free surface flow in which the primary source of turbulence is bottom boundary shear. The hypotheses examined includes those of Rossby and Montgomery, Kent and Pritchard, Odd and Rodger, French, and McCutcheon. Of the hypotheses examined, four involved one or more free coefficients while the hypothesis of McCutcheon involves no free coefficients. While the hypothesis of French provides the best fit of the data with two free coefficients, the hypothesis of McCutcheon with some modification and no free coefficients is very promising. In comparing these hypothesis, the problem of experimental error is also considered.