Rainfall intensity influences both the rate and the volume of runoff. An intense storm exceeds the infiltration rate of the soil by a greater margin than does a gentle rain; thus, the total volume of runoff is greater for the intense storm even though total precipitation for the two rains is the same.
How does precipitation cause runoff?
When rain falls onto the earth, it just doesn’t sit there, it starts moving according to the laws of gravity. A portion of the precipitation seeps into the ground to replenish Earth’s groundwater . Most of it flows downhill as runoff.
What is the relationship between amount of precipitation and the amount of runoff?
Precipitation and evapotranspiration will be the major input and output of water resources , respectively. The surface runoff value with large precipitation stage will be nearly six times that of lateral flow.
When precipitation falls it will runoff?
When too much rain falls onto the ground to conveniently infiltrate the soil, part of it “runs off”. Gravity pulls it directly downhill . This runoff adds greatly to water levels in rivers and lakes.
What are the 8 types of precipitation?
- Rain. Most commonly observed, drops larger than drizzle (0.02 inch / 0.5 mm or more) are considered rain. ...
- Drizzle. Fairly uniform precipitation composed exclusively of fine drops very close together. ...
- Ice Pellets (Sleet) ...
- Hail. ...
- Small Hail (Snow Pellets) ...
- Snow. ...
- Snow Grains. ...
- Ice Crystals.
What would cause an increase in surface runoff?
Urbanization increases surface runoff, by creating more impervious surfaces such as pavement and buildings do not allow percolation of the water down through the soil to the aquifer . It is instead forced directly into streams, where erosion and siltation can be major problems, even when flooding is not.
What causes runoff?
Runoff occurs when there is more water than land can absorb . The excess liquid flows across the surface of the land and into nearby creeks, streams, or ponds. ... Glaciers, snow, and rain all contribute to this natural runoff. Runoff also occurs naturally as soil is eroded and carried to various bodies of water.
What happens to precipitation after it reaches the ground?
Once on the land, rainfall either seeps into the ground or becomes runoff , which flows into rivers and lakes. ... Water falling on uneven land drains downhill until it becomes part of a stream, finds a hollow place to accumulate, like a lake, or soaks into the ground.
How can groundwater become runoff?
When rain falls onto the earth, it just doesn’t sit there, it starts moving according to the laws of gravity. A portion of the precipitation seeps into the ground to replenish Earth’s groundwater. Most of it flows downhill as runoff.
What is the largest form of precipitation?
The drops become supercooled and freeze upon impact with objects and the ground, creating an often-thick coating of ice . composed of concentric layers of ice, is the largest form of precipitation and is formed in cumulonimbus clouds. Here ice pellets grow by collecting supercooled droplets.
Is fog a precipitation?
Precipitation. Precipitation fog forms as precipitation falls into cold , drier air below the cloud and evaporates into water vapor. The water vapor cools and at the dew point it condenses.
What is the most common form of precipitation?
The most common types of precipitation are rain, hail, and snow . Rain is precipitation that falls to the surface of the Earth as water droplets.
How do you reduce surface runoff?
- Disconnect/Redirect Downspouts.
- Use a rain barrel to capture rain from your roof.
- Plant a rain garden.
- Plant trees.
- Reduce impervious surfaces; install permeable pavement.
- Plant a green roof.
How do you control surface runoff?
- Add plants. Incorporate plantings, especially in areas where runoff collects. ...
- Protect trees. Like other plant roots, tree roots help absorb and filter runoff. ...
- Break up slabs. ...
- Go permeable. ...
- Catch runoff. ...
- How to Divert Water Runoff from Driveway. ...
- Plant a rain garden. ...
- Cover soil.
What are the factors affecting surface runoff?
- Type of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, etc.)
- Rainfall intensity.
- Rainfall amount.
- Rainfall duration.
- Distribution of rainfall over the drainage basin.
- Direction of storm movement.
- Precipitation that occurred earlier and resulting soil moisture.
Why is stormwater runoff bad?
Why is stormwater pollution so bad? As polluted water makes its way to the oceans, water quality can be affected , which often results in the closing of local beaches due to unhealthy water conditions. Stormwater carries disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Swimming in polluted waters can make you sick.
