HOW MUCH WATER ENTERS THE SOIL? Infiltration
PrecipitationEvaporation Runoff Infiltration
What Factors Control Infiltration?
A) Soil Characteristics
What Factors Control Infiltration? A)Soil Characteristics 1) Grain Size (size of pores in soil)
Large Grains
Medium Grains
Large Grains Medium Grains Fine Grains
What Factors Control Infiltration? A)Soil Characteristics 1) Grain Size (size of pores in soil) 2) Antecedent moisture
HYGROSCOPIC WATER
CAPILLARY WATER
FREE or GRAVITATIONAL WATER
FREE or GRAVITATIONAL WATER
MAXIMUM RATES OF INFILTRATION
Initial Infiltration Rate is high Dry Soil. Hygroscopic Water only. Lots of soil air to fill with water.
MAXIMUM RATES OF INFILTRATION Initial Infiltration Rate is high Moist soil. Capillary Water. Progressively fewer voids to fill with water. Exponential decline in rate
MAXIMUM RATES OF INFILTRATION Initial Infiltration Rate is high Saturated soil. Free or Gravitational Water. Voids to fill with water determined by rate of loss. Minimum rate, or “field capacity” set by drainage Exponential decline in rate
What Factors Control Infiltration? A)Soil Characteristics 1) Grain Size (size of pores in soil) 2) Antecedent moisture B)Rainfall intensity (how fast rain is arriving!)
PrecipitationEvaporation Runoff Infiltration Overland Flow
CONSTANT HEAVY RAIN FOR FOUR HOURS
Rainfall that could be Infiltrated Rainfall to Overland Flow DECREASING INFILTRATION RATE FOR FOUR HOURS
INCREASING OVERLAND FLOW FOR FOUR HOURS No Overland Flow