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The identification of four stages during micro‐rill development
Author(s) -
Merritt Elaine
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.3290090510
Subject(s) - rill , erosion , geology , sediment , hydrology (agriculture) , geotechnical engineering , geomorphology
Abstract Separation of rill and inter‐rill erosion is required in many of the soil erosion models currently being developed. The feasibility of basing the separation on the hydraulic properties of the flow and resultant sediment production is examined in a laboratory simulation of rill initiation and development. Four stages are identified in the process of rill formation; these are sheetflow, flowline development, micro‐rills, and micro‐rills with headcuts. There are significant differences in terms of flow characteristics between the stages, especially between sheetflow and flowlines, indicating the promise of this method for making a more precise distinction between rill and inter‐rill erosion.