This paper aims to fill a gap between present and past research approaches to modelling flow in open channels. In particular, a history of the analytical solutions of a linearized St. Venant equation is presented. A solution of the linearized St. Venant equation, describing the response of a river channel to a single impulse forcing, the so called Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph (IUH), can be described using cumulants, defined as the moments of a logarithm of a variable. A comparison of analytical and numerical solutions of flood wave propagation under various flow conditions is given. The river reach of Biała Tarnowska is used as an illustration of both approaches. A practical application of simplified solutions to the emulator of a flood wave propagation is suggested showing a link between theory and practice.