Dear Authors,

The paper presents two new formulas to compute uniform flow discharge for irregular sections. The aim is to take into account the interactions between adjacent sub-sections. The topic is original and is important for both hydraulic and hydrologic applications.

Both reviewers raised important issues concerning the hypotheses, the dataset, the methodology, the results, the discussion and the domain of application of this new approach in Earth Sciences. I agree with the suggestion of Reviewer #1 for additional applications and discussion for example on “a use-case doing a link with another domain in Earth sciences which would make this paper more interesting for HESS readers.”, and the suggestion of Reviewer #2 to clearly indicate the objectives of the study and the domain of applications by modifying the title, the objectives and the related sections in the paper.

In their responses, the authors give responses to some of the critics raised by the reviewers, but some important issues raised by reviewers still need complementary responses, such as showing the domain of applications of the method for hydrological applications, as for example to “evaluate local vertically averaged velocities in sub-sections and then compute bottom shear stresses” (see Reviewer #1).

The paper will be reconsidered after “Major revisions” for a complete review process. In the revised version, authors are invited to respond point by point to each comment of each reviewer, conducting additional analysis, and giving convincing proofs to all problems raised by reviewers. Please highlight clearly what you changed in the revised manuscript, so the reviewers are able to assess your changes.

Kind regards,

Roger Moussa

Dear Authors,

I can now inform you that the reviewers and editor have evaluated the manuscript “Computation of vertically averaged velocities in irregular sections of straight channels”. As you will see from the comments below, only minor revisions are asked by one reviewer.

Thank you for submitting your work to Hydrology and Earth System Sciences.

With kind regards,

Roger MOUSSA

Dear Authors,

I am pleased to accept "Computation of vertically averaged velocities in irregular sections of straight channels" for publication in Hydrology and Earth System Sciences.

I thank you for submitting your best work to Hydrology and Earth System Sciences.

Sincerely,

Roger Moussa