A field evaluation of subsurface and surface runoff. II. Runoff processes

Journal of Hydrology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Combined use of radioisotope tracer, flow rate, specific conductance and suspended-sediment measurements on a large field plot near Stanford, California, has provided more detailed information on surface and subsurface storm runoff processes than would be possible from any single approach used in isolation. Although the plot was surficially uniform, the runoff processes were shown to be grossly nonuniform, both spatially over the plot, and laterally and vertically within the soil. The three types of processes that have been suggested as sources of storm runoff (Horton-type surface runoff, saturated overland flow, and rapid subsurface throughflow) all occurred on the plot. The nonuniformity of the processes supports the partial- and variable-source area concepts. Subsurface storm runoff occurred in a saturated layer above the subsoil horizon, and short travel times resulted from flow through macropores rather than the soil matrix. Consideration of these observations would be necessary for physically realistic modeling of the storm runoff process. 

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A field evaluation of subsurface and surface runoff. II. Runoff processes
Series title Journal of Hydrology
DOI 10.1016/0022-1694(78)90077-X
Volume 38
Issue 3-4
Year Published 1978
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Description 23 p.
First page 319
Last page 341
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Stanford
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