| < Back | page 7 of 12 | Next > |
Chapter 3: Hydrological Processes in Riparian Areas
Infiltration
- Water that infiltrates and is retained in the soil becomes groundwater and provides a critical resource for plants and animals.
- The rate of infiltration depends on surface cover (including vegetation and rocks), soil properties, topography (steep slopes or flat areas) and underlying geology.
- Water that seeps, or infiltrates through sediment in channels may also contribute to groundwater recharge.
- In Arizona, winter rainfall has higher amounts infiltratated because it is characterized by long duration, low intensity, and large areal coverage storms compared to summer ranfall events
Figure 3.7. When the rainfall rate is higher than the infiltration rate, the water will runoff on the soil’s surface.
| < Back | page 7 of 12 | Next > |