What is the difference between hydraulic mean depth and

hydraulic radius?
1. I have seen the terms Hydraulic Mean Depth and Hydraulic Radius being used interchangeably quite often.
However, according to some online sources (USBR Manual), there is a difference.

Hydraulic radius is defined as the area of the flow section divided by the wetted perimeter, whereas,

Hydraulic mean depth is defined as the area of the flow section divided by the top water surface width.

In rectangular channels, hydraulic radius does not equal depth, but approaches depth as the channel becomes
very wide. However, the hydraulic mean depth is the same as the depth of the rectangular flow section. It is
more important to understand which of the two is used where. Eg. While calculating frictional head losses,
Hydraulic Radius is used and while in Froude number and energy relationships in open channel flow hydraulic
mean depth gives desired results.

2.Hydraulic mean depth: Hydraulics, mean depth, hm, is defined as the depth which, when multiplied by
the top water surface width, T, is equal to the irregular section area, A

The equation for hydraulic mean depth, hm, is:

Hydraulic Radius : Hydraulic radius, Rh, is defined as the area of the flow section divided by the wetted
perimeter, Pw

It is written as: