28. Measurement of Infiltration
Infiltration is the process of water entering the soil, significantly influencing groundwater recharge, surface runoff, and soil moisture levels. Various methods to measure infiltration include field and laboratory techniques, with a focus on field methods for accuracy in natural settings. Factors such as soil properties, vegetation, land use, moisture content, rainfall characteristics, and temperature affect infiltration rates, which are crucial for applications in irrigation management, stormwater control, and flood prediction.
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What we have learnt
- Infiltration is essential for understanding water movement in hydrological studies.
- Multiple factors affect the rate and capacity of soil to absorb water.
- Various methods exist for measuring infiltration, each with specific applications and limitations.
Key Concepts
- -- Infiltration Capacity
- The maximum rate at which soil can absorb rainfall or surface water.
- -- Infiltration Rate
- The actual rate at which water enters the soil, typically measured in mm/hr or cm/hr.
- -- Cumulative Infiltration
- The total volume of water that has infiltrated the soil over a specified period.
- -- ϕindex
- A constant rate of infiltration above which rainfall is considered excess, computed from rainfall-runoff data.
- -- Horton’s Equation
- An empirical formula used to describe how infiltration rates change over time.
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