REVIEW QUESTIONS   

 
1. Briefly explain the infiltration process and the resulting soil moisture zones in the soil.  
Infiltration is the process of water entry from surface sources such as rainfall, snowmelt, or irrigation
into the soil. The infiltration process is a component in the overall unsaturated redistribution process
that results in soil moisture availability for use by vegetation transpiration, exfiltration (or
evaporation) processes, chemical transport, and groundwater recharge. Soil moisture, in turn, controls
the partitioning of subsequent precipitation into infiltration and runoff, and the partitioning of
available energy between sensible and latent heat flux.
2. Discuss the factors affecting the infiltration capacity of an area. 
The process of infiltration is affected by many different factors. Important factors are the following:
a. Soil Texture and Structure:
It is already made clear that the water cannot continue to enter soil more rapidly than it is transmitted
downward. The conditions at the surface, therefore, cannot increase infiltration unless the
transmission capacity of the soil profile is adequate.
The continuity of non-capillary or large pores provides easy paths for percolating water. If the subsoil
formation has coarse texture the water may infiltrate into the soil so quickly that no water will be left
for runoff even if rainfall is quite heavy. On the contrary clayey soils after soaking some water in the
initial stages of the rainfall may swell considerably. It makes the soil almost watertight and
infiltration may get reduced to practically negligible extent.
b. Conditions at Soil Surface:
Even if the subsoil has excellent under drainage but at the surface soil pores are sealed due to turbid
water or by in wash of fine soil particles it may prevent entry of water into the soil and infiltration
rate will be low.
c. Soil-Moisture Content:
When the soil is dry the rate of infiltration into the soil is quite high. The infiltration rate diminishes
as the soil-moisture storage capacity is exhausted. After this infiltration rate equals transmission rate.
The rate of infiltration in early phases of a rainfall will be less if the soil pores are still filled from
previous rainstorm.
d. Type of Vegetative Cover:
Vegetative cover affects surface entry of water significantly. The vegetation or mulches protect the
soil surface from impact of rain drops. The lengthy and extensive root system penetrate the soil and
increases its porosity. Organic matter from crops promotes a crumbly by structure and improves soil
permeability. Forest canopy protects soil surface whereas row crops provide less protection to soil.
e. Soil Temperature:
If saturated soil mass gets frozen due to severe low temperature it becomes nearly impermeable. It
affects the infiltration.
Human Activities on Soil Surface:
If the soil surface gets compacted due to construction of roads, operation of tractors and other farm
implements and machinery the porosity of the soil is decreased. As a result, bigger pores are almost
eliminated making soil impermeable. It reduces the infiltration rates
3. Describe the commonly used procedures for determining the infiltration characteristics of a
plot of land. Clearly explain the relative advantages and disadvantages of the enumerated
methods.
 Using flooding type infiltrometers: Are experimental devices used to obtain data relating to
variation of infiltration capacity with time. Two types of flooding type infiltrometers are in
common use.
 Measurement of subsidence of free water in a large basin or pondTa coo
 Rainfall simulator: In this a small plot of land of about 2 m x 4m size, is provided with a
series of nozzles on the longer ride with arrangements to collect and measure the surface
runoff rate. They produce raindrops falling from a height of 3m and are capable of producing
 various combination of intensities. The give lower values than flooding type infiltrometers.
Due to effect of the rainfall impact and turbidity of the surface water present in the former.
 Hydrograph analysis: Reasonable estimation of the infiltration capacity of a small watershed
can be obtained by analyzing measured runoff hydrographs and corresponding rainfall
records. It sufficiently good rainfall records and runoff hydrographs corresponding to isolated
storms in a small watershed with fairly homogeneous soils are available.
4. Describe various models adopted to represent the variation of infiltration capacity with
time. 
 Horton’s model
 Phillip’s model
 Kostiakov’s model
 Lewis and Milne’s model
 Green-Ampt model
5. Explain a procedure for fitting Horton’s infiltration equation for experimental data from a
given plot.  
You need to plot a Ln (f0-fc) vs Time (hour). Then create a lineal model a generate an equation. The
parameter that is multiplying your variable is your K. And the other number is the ln of the parameter of
the Horton equation.
6. Distinguish between Infiltration capacity and infiltration rate  
The infiltration rate is that rate at which infiltration occurs, measured in mm/hr or a similar unit.
Infiltration capacity is the maximum rate at which infiltration will occur when the infiltration rate is not
limited by the supply of water.
If the rainfall rate is less than infiltration capacity, then the infiltration rate will be equal to the rainfall
rate. If the rainfall rate is greater than infiltration capacity, then the infiltration rate will be equal to the
infiltration capacity. The “excess rainfall” will be converted to runoff.
PROBLEMS 
 
10. Results of an infiltrometer test on a soil are given below. Determine the Horton’s
infiltration capacity equation for this soil.  

11. Results of an infiltrometer test on a soil are given below. Determine the best values of the
parameters of Horton’s infiltration capacity equation for this soil.  

12. Determine the best values of the parameters of Horton’s infiltration capacity equation for
the following data pertaining to infiltration tests on a soil using double ring infiltrometer.  

14. The following table gives the values of a field study of infiltration using a flooding-type
infiltrometer. (a) For this data, plot the curves of (i) infiltration capacity fp (mm/h) vs time
(h) on a log-log paper and obtain the equation of the best-fit line, and (ii) cumulative
 infiltration (mm) Fp vs time (h) on a semi-log paper and obtain the equation of the best fit
line. (b) Establish Horton’s infiltration capacity equation for this soil.  

16. The mass curve of an isolated storm in a 500 ha watershed is as follows: