The incipient jump condition is defined as the critical condition for
the formation of a surface roller immediately upstream of a sill. The
incipient jump conditions can be classified in two categories. In one
case, the incipient jump occurs by increasing the sill height from the
state of the splashing flow. In the other case, raising the tailwater
level from the splashing flow condition yields the incipient jump. Th
e mechanisms for both cases of the incipient jump conditions are expla
ined. Also, the effect of the channel width on the incipient jump cond
ition is discussed. The application of the momentum equation yields a
prediction for each incipient jump condition. For wide channels, in wh
ich two-dimensional breaking occurs, the agreement between the predict
ed and experimental results is satisfactory. The formation of a forced
jump is required for the design of a stilling basin.