Effect of vorticity on steady water waves

Two-dimensional, finite-depth periodic steady water waves with variable vorticity omega=gamma(psi) and large amplitude a are computed for a large number of cases. In particular, the effect of a shear layer at the top, the middle or the bottom is considered. The maximum amplitude amax varies monotonically with the vorticity function gamma(.). It is increasing if the stagnation point is at the crest, and is decreasing if the stagnation point is in the interior of the fluid or on the bottom. Relationships between the amplitude, hydraulic head, depth and mass flux are investigated.