In this contribution, different 3D numerical approaches are applied in order to simulate the behaviour of turbulent flow through a rectangular channel with broad-crested weirs. In addition, water flow velocities, using Acoustic Doppler Velocimetry (ADV) instrumentation, were recorded. Two turbulence quantities are estimated using the laboratory records and were compared with those computed with the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models. Additionally, a quadrant analysis of the laboratory records was carried out. The output of the models presents good agreement with the time-averaged parameters, but is not sufficient for the proper estimation of the turbulence quantities.