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The Infiltration Capacity of Soils in Relation to the Control of Surface Runoff and Erosion 1
Author(s) -
Musgrave G. W.
Publication year - 1935
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1935.00021962002700050003x
Subject(s) - surface runoff , erosion control , soil water , citation , erosion , hydrology (agriculture) , agriculture , environmental science , soil science , archaeology , geography , political science , geology , geotechnical engineering , law , ecology , paleontology , biology
D ESPITE the fact that differences in soil types are generally recognized, the pronounced effect of the infiltration capacity of the soil upon the type of erosion control measures ~vhich should be recommended has been largely overlooked. 3Control measures have been recommended that are practically unifdrm..for entire states, whereas the soils within such areas may require entirely different treatment. The absence of quantitative data upon the infiltration capacities of different soils has undoubtedly been the principal reason for the general omission of this factor in the practical application of control measures in the field. Pot erosion problems, and in connection also with studies relating, for example, to soil moisture, a method for determining the infiltration capacity of the soil in the field may be most helpful. It has been shown (8) 4 that one of the primary groups of factors affecting the amount of surface runoff from soil in the field is its infiltration capacity. The general pronounced effect of this factor is appreciated only when quantitative data are available. If two soils differ in capacity by as much as M inch infiltration per hour over a 4-hour period, the amount of protection provided would differ by 2 surface inches. In many instances this is an amount greater than, the effect of the treatment itself. Any method for the measurement of the infiltration capacity of a soil to be of value in the design of measures for the control of surface runoff obviously must be applicable to the field structure of the soil. Not only that, but it should be applicable to such structure of the soil as permits its lowest normal capacity. The results of such measurement giving the minimum capacity of the soil may then be safely used in combination with the known capacities of such treatment or treatments for impounding water upon the surface as it may be desired to use. The purpose of this study has been to develop a method for determining the infiltration capacity of the soil in the field, and to apply the results of such study to the design of treatments for the control of surface runoff and erosion.