Runoff can be described as the part of the water cycle that flows over land as surface water instead

of being absorbed into groundwater or evaporating.According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS),
runoff is that part of the precipitation, snow melt, or irrigation water that appears in uncontrolled
surface streams, rivers, drains, or sewers.

What Affects Runoff?

There are a variety of factors that affect runoff. Some of those include:

The amount of rainfall directly affects the amount of runoff. As expected, if more rainfall hits the
ground, more rainfall will turn into runoff. The same can be said about snowmelt. If a large amount
of snow melts in a short time period, there will be a large amobe said about snowmelt. If a large
amount of snow melts in a short time period, there will be a large amount of runoff.

A surface with high absorption ability has high permeability, and a surface with low absorption
ability has low permeability. This image shows permeability rates for different types of surfaces.

Vegetation

Vegetation needs water to survive, and a plant's root system is designed to absorb water from the
soil. There is less runoff in highly vegetated areas because the water is used by the plants instead of
flowing off the surface of the ground.

Slope

The slope of a surface is also important to the amount of runoff there will be. The steeper a surface
is, the faster it will flow down the slope. A flat surface will allow the water time to absorb.

Types of Runoff:

1. Surface Runoff:
2. 2. Sub-Surface Runoff:
3. 3. Base Flow:

Surface runoff is the flow of water that occurs when excess stormwater, meltwater, or other sources
flow over the Earth's surface. This can occur when the soil is saturated to full capacity, and rain
arrives more quickly than soil can absorb it.

Subsurface runoff is the water that infiltrates in the vadose zone (unsaturated zone), from rain,
snowmelt, or other sources, and moves laterally towards the streams. Vadose zone extends from the
top of the ground surface to the water table. It is one of the major components in the water cycle.
Subsurface runoff can be expressed in water volume (or mass) per unit of area per unit of time.
(NASA)
Base flow is a portion of the stream flow that is not runoff; it is water from the ground, flowing into
the channel over a long time and with a certain delay.

Factors Affecting Runoff:

Runoff is affected mainly by climatic and physiographic factors.

the important factors are mentioned below:

1. Rainfall pattern:

If the rainfall is very heavy the consequent runoff will also be more. If the rainfall is just showery
type with low intensity there may not be runoff at all as the rainwater is completely lost in
infiltration, evaporation, etc. If the duration of rainfall is more the runoff will also be prolonged.

2. Character of catchment surface:

If a surface is rocky then the surface absorption will be practically nil and the runoff will be more. If
the surface is compact clayey type runoff will be more, but if the surface is sandy then the
absorption losses will be more and runoff will be less.

3. Topography:

If the surface slope is steep runoff will be more as water will pass over the surface rapidly before
losses take place. If there are local depressions water will be held up in depressions forming lakes,
ponds etc., in the catchment.

Shape and size of the catchment:

If the catchment area is large runoff will be more. If the catchment area is fan shaped runoff at
outlet will be more as all the water contributes to the stream practically at the same time. If the
catchment is fern shaped the runoff will be less.

Vegetal cover:

If there is some sort of vegetal cover over the catchment then evaporation loss will be reduced as
sun rays cannot reach the ground surface.

Geology of the area:

If there are fissures, cracks, fault zones present in the catchment then rainwater finds its way out
through these openings. The water lost may find its way to some other catchment or to
groundwater or in the sea.
Weather conditions

Temperature of the region also affects the runoff to a great extent. If temperature is more it renders
surface dry and when rain occurs more water is absorbed by the ground surface. Evaporation rate
will also be more if temperature is high.

Measurement of Runoff:

The quantity of water following down the river can be measured by actual measurements. The
methods of discharge measurement have been dealt with subsequently. The records of runoff, i.e.,
river flow, can be kept on daily, monthly, seasonal or annual basis. Total runoff of the river is also
called the yield.

Importance of Runoff: * water balance calculation *Irrigation scheduling: The magnitude of flood
flows to enable safe disposal of the excess flow. The minimum flow and quantity of flow available at
various seasons.

37. 37 The interaction of the flood wave and hydraulic structures, such as levees, reservoirs,
barrages and bridges. *river engineering. *highway engineering *flood control *inland waterways.
The capacity of storage structure such as reservoir.

Runoff ProcessWhen rainfall occurs:A part of rainfall/precipitation is intercepted by

vegetation.Some part is stored in depressions on the ground surface known as depression storage
(Sd),which later infilterates or evaporates.Some part of rainfall is absorbed by the soil, the amount
of which depends upon the soil moisture condition at the time of percolation.Now if the rain
continues further;The water starts infiltrating/percolating to the water table and if the rate of
rainfall or the rate at which the water is reaching the ground exceeds the infiltration rate (f),
resulting the surface detention (D).This water flow overland and joins the rivers, lakes, streams,
oceans, etc, and is known as surface runoff.

6 Main Causes of Soil Erosion are as follows:

Soil erosion is a natural process which occur when there is loss of or removal of top layer of soil to
due to rain, wind, deforestation or any other human activity.

1. Soil Texture: Small grain and open structure soil erodes more than the larger grain and closed
structure soil.

2. Ground Slope:

Steeper slope ground erodes more than the ground having mild slope due to increased speed of run
off than infiltration.

3. Intensity and amount of rainfall:

More the intensity of rainfall more will be the soil erosion.

4. Mismanaged utilization of soil resources: The soil erosion is enhanced by improper surface
drainage, removal of forest litter, overgrazing etc.

5. Distribution of rainfall and landscape:

If the ground surface is such that rainfall distributes evenly, there is not plenty rainfall, the erosion
will be less.

6. Deforestation:

It is one of the major factors responsible for Soil erosion. Removal of forest cover which function as a
binder of the top layer of the soil with increasing land demand have resulted in enhancing extent of
soil erosion.

HOW TO PREVENT SOIL EROSION

While there’s not much we can do about wind and rain, we can try some proven techniques of
preventing soil erosion. The right technique (or combination of techniques) for your Texas farm or
ranch property depends on the type of soil, topography, climatic conditions, and other factors. If you
need assistance, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) or your local AgriLife
Extension County Office.

Crop Rotation: Rotating in high-residue crops — such as corn, hay, and small grain — can reduce
erosion as the layer of residue protects topsoil from being carried away by wind and water.

Conservation Tillage: Conventional tillage produces a smooth surface that leaves soil vulnerable to
erosion. Conservation tillage methods such as no-till planting, strip rotary tillage, chiseling, and
disking leave more of the field surface covered with crop residue that protects the soil from eroding
forces.

Contour Farming: Planting in row patterns that run level around a hill — instead of up and down the
slope — has been shown to reduce runoff and decrease the risk of water erosion.

Strip Farming: In areas where a slope is particularly steep or there is no alternative method of
preventing erosion, planting fields in long strips alternated in a crop rotation system (strip farming)
has proven effective.

Terrace Farming: Many farmers have successfully combated erosion by planting in flat areas created
on hillsides in a step-like formation (terrace farming).
Grass Waterways: By planting grass in areas of concentrated water flow, farmers can prevent much
of the soil erosion that results from runoff, as the grass stabilizes the soil while still providing an
outlet for drainage.

Diversion Structures: Used often for gully control, diversion structures cause water to flow along a
desired path and away from areas at high risk for erosion.

Your soil is one of the most important assets of your farming or ranching operation, and losing it
through erosion can seriously impact your bottom line. The time, effort, and resources you spend on
erosion prevention today is a valuable investment in the future of your business. For more
information about preventing soil erosion and overall soil health, check out these online resources: