26. Infiltration
Infiltration is the process by which water enters the soil, playing a critical role in the hydrologic cycle. Influencing various aspects such as surface runoff, groundwater recharge, and soil moisture, the chapter focuses on the factors affecting infiltration, measurement techniques, and mathematical models. It highlights the importance of understanding infiltration for effective water resources engineering applications.
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What we have learnt
- Infiltration is vital for managing surface runoff and groundwater recharge.
- Several factors affect infiltration rates, including soil characteristics, vegetative cover, and land management practices.
- Different models and methods exist for measuring and estimating infiltration, crucial for hydrologic modeling and design.
Key Concepts
- -- Infiltration Rate
- The rate at which water enters the soil, commonly measured in mm/hr or cm/hr.
- -- Infiltration Capacity
- The maximum rate at which a given soil can absorb rainfall, typically decreasing over time.
- -- Horton’s Equation
- An empirical model that describes how infiltration rate decreases over time.
- -- φIndex
- An average infiltration rate used in hydrologic models to determine runoff.
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