Rainfall-Runoff

Processes

Prepared by: TILLO, Mary Camille N.

 SURFACE RUNOFF & SUBSURFACE
RUNOFF

• Surface Runoff
Subsurface Runoff
• When rain falls, the first drops of water are intercepted
by the leaves and stems of the vegetation. This is
usually referred to as interception storage.
• As the rain continues, water reaching the ground
surface infiltrates into the soil until it reaches a stage
where the rate of rainfall (intensity) exceeds the
infiltration capacity of the soil. Thereafter, surface
puddles, ditches, and other depressions are filled
(depression storage), after which runoff is generated.
• The infiltration capacity of the soil depends on its texture and
structure, as well as on the antecedent soil moisture content
(previous rainfall or dry season). The initial capacity (of a dry soil)
is high but, as the storm continues, it decreases.
Rainfall-Runoff Processes
• Mechanism
• Cycle

• Water stage-discharge relationship

• Measurements and Interpretation
Excess overland flow Mechanism
• Robert E. Horton (1933) - Horton overland flow

• When surface water input exceeds infiltration

capacity the excess water accumulates on the soil
surface and fills small depressions. Water in
depression storage does not directly contribute to
overland flow runoff; it either evaporates or
infiltrates later.
 With continued surface water input, the
depression storage capacity is filled, and
water spills over to run down slope as an
irregular sheet or to converge into
rivulets of overland flow. The amount of
water stored on the hillside in the
process of flowing down slope is called
surface detention.
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