The problem of a small-amplitude water wave propagating in a channel o
f constant depth with a horizontal poroelastic bed of infinite thickne
ss is investigated. Using the theory of poroelasticity derived in Huan
g and Chwang (1990), three decoupled Helmholtz equations are applied t
o study the present problem. The general solution is obtained, and fiv
e physical parameters, m, epsilon, LAMBDA, PI, PSI, for the porous med
ia flow are defined. The first of these physical parameters represents
the relative stiffness of solid and fluid, the second represents pene
trability, while the other three reveal Mach numbers of two longitudin
al waves and one transverse wave of the porous medium when penetrabili
ty is low, i.e., when \\epsilon\\ <<1. It is believed that these param
eters will be especially useful for experimental modeling. We not only
clarify the required constraints of Yamamoto et al. (1978) and Liu (1
973) that are not explained in their articles, but also demonstrate su
ccessfully the generality of the present work.