jebbo,
If you are looking for a handy dandy cheat sheet for open pipe systems, I have just the ticket. IPEX has a very neat little slide unit that once the n value, slope and flow, velocity is the output. The beauty is that by inputing various data changes, any value can be derived. For example, total flow. I would caution against velicities which would promote scour. If open channel or ditch, I the RTAC Publication - Drainage Manuals #1 and #2. They are vary condensed and provide some very good nomograpghs for varying condidtions....as a quick check in your design.