I am having a similar issue.
I’m running a 2d model, diffusion wave, 2m x 2m cell, and 1m x 1 m cell on brakelines around my channel.
The model behaves ok until peak flow comes, it seems flow spreads first towards banks and then goes downstream.
I established normal depth for boundary condition upstream with a 0.005 m/m slope. I have tested several time steps and cell dimension configuration.
I don´t know if th result is correct because I´m modeling a low slope to flat area with a big peak flow.
I´d really appreciate if someone tells me what I´m doing wrong.