A Field Method for 

Measurement of 

Infiltration

By A.I. JOHNSON

GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1544-F

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1963
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

MANUEL LUJAN, Jr., Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Dallas L. Peck, Director

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for

descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the

U.S. Government

First Printing 1963 

Second Printing 1991

For sale by the Books and Open-File Reports Section, U.S. GeoloTical Survey, 

Federal Center, Box 25425, Denver, CO 80225
CONTENTS

	Page

Abstract______________._______...____________ F-I

Introduction ______________________________________________________ 1

Terminology and definitions__-_____--_-_-____--____-_--_-__-_--_-__ 3

Methods and equipment__________________-______--______-______-__. 3

Factors affecting infiltration rate..._-_--_______-_---_-___---______-_ 4

Suggested method for determining infiltration rate___--_--____--_______ 9

Apparatus and supplies.___-______--_______-__-_--_-________-_ 9

Procedure---_-____--___---_________-_____-----_-_-_-_--______ 10

Calculations and data report__-____-__--___-_--__-________-_____ 14

Summary.. __ _____________________________________________________ 15

Selected references____--__--______-_--___--__-_-______--__-___--- 17

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page 

FIGURE 1. Hydrologic cycle__--.__--__________-__-_________-____- F-2

2. Ring-infiltrometer construction.___________________________ 10

3. Ring installation and Mariott6 tube details. ____-_--___--_-_ 12

4. Ring infiltrometer with float-valve control__________________ 13

5. Report form for infiltration test. ___--___-__-__----_------- 16

TABLES

Page 

TABLE 1. Infiltration rates for different types of soils, as measured by

infiltrometer rings in third hour of a wet run.._--___-____-_ F-7

2. Data for single-ring infiltrometers______-_____--_-______--_ 15

3. Data for double-ring infiltrometers___-_--____---____--_-__ 15

in
GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

A FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION

By A. I. JOHNSON

ABSTRACT

The determination of infiltration the downward entry of water into a soil 

(or sediment) is receiving increasing attention in hydrologic studies because 

of the need for more quantitative data on all phases of the hydrologic cycle. 

A measure of infiltration, the infiltration rate, is usually determined in the field 

by flooding basins or furrow's, sprinkling, or measuring water entry from 

cylinders (infiltrometer rings). Rates determined by ponding in larg? areas 

are considered most reliable, but the high cost usually dictates' that infiltrometer 

rings, preferably 2 feet in diameter or larger, be used.

The hydrology of subsurface materials is critical in the study of infiltration. 

The zone controlling the rate of infiltration is usually the least permeate zone. 

Many other factors affect infiltration rate the sediment (soil) structure, the 

condition of the sediment surface, the distribution of soil moisture or soilmoisture tension, the chemical and physical nature of the sediments, tl ? head 

of applied water, the depth to ground water, the chemical quality snd the 

turbidity of the applied water, the temperature of the water and the sediments, 

the percentage of entrapped air in the sediments, the atmospheric pressure, the 

length of time of application of water, the biological activity in the sediments, 

and the type of equipment or method used. It is concluded that specific values 

of the infiltration rate for a particular type of sediment are probably nonexistent 

and that measured rates are primarily for comparative use.

A standard field-test method for determining infiltration rates by m^ans of 

single- or double-ring infiltrometers is described and the construction, installation, 

and operation of the infiltrometers are discussed in detail.

INTRODUCTION

The complexity of the problems confronting the water-resources investigator today has caused an increasing need for more quantitative 

data for all phases of the hydrologic cycle (fig. 1) and an analysis of 

the complete hydrologic problem. A balanced investigation calls for 

a better understanding of infiltration defined by the Soil Science 

Society of America (1956, p. 434) as "the downward entry of water

F-l
F-2 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

i*§ -o|S g-wS

iJllMti

J--i-|8-«lS.S 

1Slg||if«»

L! irt c i
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-3

into soil" and a knowledge of how this hydrologic property may be 

determined. This report discusses the factors affecting infiltration 

and describes a method for determining infiltration data. A list of 

references on infiltration is included for the investigator interested in 

pursuing the subject in more detail. It is hoped that this report will 

be particularly helpful to those investigators who will be making 

infiltration tests and also to all who are interested in water-resources 

investigations in general.

TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINITIONS

Terminology relating to infiltration was thoroughly reviewed by 

Eichards (1952) and by the Soil Science Society of America (1956).

They defined infiltration as the downward entry of water irto soil, 

and infiltration rate (infiltration capacity) as the maximum rate at 

which a soil will absorb water impounded on the surface at a shallow 

depth when adequate precautions are taken regarding border, or 

fringe, effects. Defined as the volume of water passing into the soil 

per unit of area per unit of time, infiltration rate has the dimensions of 

velocity, Z77-1 , where L=length and 77 =time. Some divergence of 

flow may occur as the wetting front moves downward through the soil; 

and, under some conditions, even with large rings or basins, divergent 

flow cannot be neglected.

Infiltration velocity, known also as intake rate, has been defined 

(Soil Science Society of America, 1956, p. 434) as the volume of water 

moving downward into the soil surface per unit of area per unit of 

time and has the dimensions of velocity. The maximum infiltration 

velocity is equivalent to the infiltration rate. Because this definition 

involves no restrictions on area of application or divergence of flow in 

the soil, a description of the measuring method should be specified.

In soils work, infiltration rate or velocity is usually reported in 

inches per hour or centimeters per hour. Occasionally th?/y are 

reported in feet per year or feet per day.

METHODS AND EQUIPMENT

Infiltration rate usually is determined from field data. Many different methods and types of equipment have been used for measuring 

infiltration rate, but the principal methods are flooding of basins or 

furrows, sprinkling (to simulate rain), and measuring water entry 

from cylinders (infiltrometer rings). The rate of subsidence of the 

water surface, or the rate of flow required to maintain a constant level 

in a large basin, or a very large ring infiltrometer is taken as a measure 

of the infiltration rate. If smaller infiltrometer rings are us^d, the
F-4 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

rate of flow or subsidence for the period during which the wetting 

front is moving downward through the enclosed part of the soil column 

is taken as the infiltration rate.

No single method is satisfactory for all field conditions. The problem to be solved, the funds available, and the availability of the appropriate supplies and equipment dictate the method to be used. 

Judgment based largely on experience is an important requirement in 

evaluating infiltration-rate data especially where conditions are 

nonuniform.

Robinson and Rohwer (1957) studied infiltration in relation to canal 

seepage and used a variety of equipment installed under field conditions. They concluded that large-diameter rings as much as 6 feet 

for the inner ring and 18 feet for the outer ring provided more accurate measurements than the more commonly used rings 1 to 2 feet in 

diameter.

Ring infiltrometers of large diameter, such as those used h^ Robinson 

and Rohwer, or infiltration pits or ponds, such as those discussed by 

Mitchelson and Muckel (1937), probably are the most accurate field 

methods for obtaining data on infiltration rates. Rates determined by 

ponding in large areas probably are the most reliable, but problems of 

cost usually require the use of smaller and cheaper equipment. Therefore, the use of the ring infiltrometer, especially if 2 feet or larger in 

diameter, probably provides the best alternate method for obtaining 

data economically. Large rings determine the average rate of infiltration for a larger area and are especially necessary in area s of gravelsized materials, where all particles are large in comparison to the size 

of the ring or basin.

In 1956, after working with a uniform soil profile havirg no layers 

restricting the movement of water, Burgy and Luthin (1956) concluded that 6 infiltrometers gave an average rate that was within 30 

percent of the true mean when compared with infiltration rates obtained by flooding large areas or basins. To be truly rep resentative, 

the general location of the infiltration tests should be based on the 

geology or soils pattern of an area.

FACTORS AFFECTING INFILTRATION RATE

The principles of infiltration and the factors affecting the process 

are imperfectly understood even after many years of investigation. 

Early studies by Muntz (1908) were followed by evaluation studies by 

many investigators, among which were Kohnke (1938), Free, Browning, and Musgrave (1940), Nelson and Muckenhirn (1941), and Klute 

(1952). The most recent general research on the subject of infiltra-
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-5

tion is the study by Robinson and Rohwer (1957), under field conditions, and by Aronovici (1955), under laboratory conditions.

Many factors affect the infiltration rate. Infiltration depends upon 

the chemical-physical condition of the sediments and the chenciicalhydraulic characteristics of the water in those sediments, both of which 

may change with time. The infiltration rate is affected by the sediment (soil) texture and structure, the condition of the sedimert surface, the distribution of soil moisture or soil-moisture tension, the 

chemical and physical nature of the water, the head of the applied 

water, the depth to ground water, the length of time of application of 

water, biological activity, the temperature of the water and the sediments, the percentage of entrapped air in the sediments, the atmospheric pressure, and the type of equipment or method used.

Studies of saturated and unsaturated flow of water througl soils 

have been made by Colman and Bodman (1944), Kirkham and Feng 

(1949), Marshall and Stirk (1949), and Miller and Richard (1952), 

but very little information is available concerning water flow from 

infiltrometers under conditions of low initial moisture content. Marshall and Stirk (1949) utilized tensiometers to observe the movement 

of the water below infiltrometers, and Haise (1949) studiec1 flow 

patterns in coarse-textured soils. Possibly the most complete study 

of water-flow patterns below infiltrometers was that of Aronovici 

(1955), who illustrated the significance of surface and subsurface 

conditions on observed infiltration rates. His study suggested also 

that pressure head is the dominant factor involved in infiltration rates 

in initially dry or damp soils, and emphasized the influence of the 

differential hydraulic head in causing a decrease of infiltration rate 

with time.

The rate of infiltration is affected greatly by the permeability of the 

sediments. Usually the sediments are unsaturated when an infiltration test is started, and the infiltration rate would not correspond, 

even under ideal field conditions, with the permeability as normally 

determined in the laboratory. That is, the standard laboratory 

permeability equals the infiltration rate only when the sediments are 

saturated. On the first application of water in the infiltration tests, 

the rate is generally great. As water application continues and the 

uppermost sediments become saturated, the infiltration rate gradually 

decreases and reaches a nearly constant rate, generally within a few 

hours. If all the sediments are uniform or the deeper ones are more 

permeable than those near the surface, and the water table is 8 considerable distance below the surface, the infiltration rate is controlled 

by the sediments near the surface. However, when the deeper sedi660451 O 63 2
F-6 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

ments are less permeable than the shallow ones, the shallow sediments soon become saturated and the resultant infiltration h controlled 

by the less permeable sediments at greater depth. Thus, the critical 

zone controlling the rate of infiltration is the least permeable zone, 

and, as Musgrave (1935a) pointed out, infiltration rings set only a 

few inches into the sediments may not indicate the permeability of 

the underlying materials. This fact indicates that the bottom of the 

infiltrometer basin or ring should be installed at the top of the least 

permeable zone.

The definition of infiltration requires that the downward flow into 

and through the sediments be nondivergent. The U.S. Srlinity Laboratory Staff (1954) pointed out that the effect of divergent flow 

increases as infiltration area decreases and becomes pronounced where 

the permeability decreases with depth. The proportion of lateral 

flow to vertical flow becomes higher as the permeability of the sediments beneath an infiltrometer decreases. Flow may move laterally 

as well as vertically beneath small infiltrometers, especially if the rings 

are set only a short distance into the soil, and the rate determined will 

apply to large areas only if the sediments are very uniform and the 

underdrainage is not limiting. Divergence may be mirimized for 

cylinders or small plots by the ponding of water in a guard ring or 

border area surrounding the cylinder or plot. Lewis (1937) found 

that, at least for uniform soils, the use of cylinders set 6 inches into the 

soil gave reliable results and that buffer rings were not needed if the 

infiltrometer was at least 18 inches in diameter. Burgy and Luthin 

(1956) also found that the difference between rates obtained with the 

single-ring and double-ring infiltrometers for uniform soils that had 

been previously wetted above field capacity was not significant. However, Schiff (1953) obtained the opposite effect in the use of the two 

types of rings where soils were not uniform and contained subsurface 

zones of low permeability. He suggested that piezometers would be 

helpful in determining lateral flow in the vicinity of an infiltrometer.

Free, Browning, and Musgrave (1940) found that the infiltration 

rate decreases with increasing clay content and increases with increasing noncapillary porosity (approximately equivalent to specific yield). 

These investigators made infiltrometer tests on many different soil 

types at 68 field sites throughout the United States. Their data have 

been used to prepare table 1.

The infiltration rate can be considerably decreased by disturbance 

of the softened surface of the sediments as the water is poured into the 

infiltrometer ring. Thus, care must be taken in the first filling of the 

apparatus. The effect of rainfall on bare soil also may exe^t considerable influence on infiltration rate. Wisler and Brater (1949) pointed
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-7

TABLE 1. Infiltration rates for different type soils as measured by infiltrometer rings

in third hour of a wet run

[After Free, Browning, and Musgrave, (1040)]

Soil type

Gravelly silt loam. ._.____.____

Sandy loam.. ________________

Clay (eroded). _..______ _____

Silty clay loam _ ____-.. _____

Stony silt loam. _________ ___

Fine sandy loam. _______ _ _ _

Sandy clay. ______________ ___

Heavy clay. _ __ ________

Clavey silt loam. _____________

Porosity (percent)

Total

54. 9 

61. 1 

57.0 

49. 6 

54. 3 

48. 8 

50.8 

59.7 

41. 5 

49. 6 

45. 7 

42.9 

57. 8 

47.0 

49. 4

Noncapillary 

(specific) 

yield)

28. 1 

36.3 

32.0 

26. 3 

28.7 

27. 7 

24. 3 

32.6 

24.2 

23.4 

17.2 

16. 9 

27.0 

19.8 

17.6

Infiltration rate

Inches 

per 

hour

4.96 

3.98 

2.09 

1.93 

1.78 

1.42 

.72 

.55 

. 55 

.51 

.50 

.05 

.02 

.00 

.00

Feet 

per 

day

9. 92 

7.96 

4. 18 

3. 86 

3. 56 

2. 84 

1.44 

1. 10 

1.10 

1.02 

1.00 

. 10 

.04 

.00 

.00

Centimeters 

per 

hour

12.60 

10. 11 

5.31 

4.90 

4.52 

3.61 

1.83 

1.40 

1.40 

1.29 

1.27 

.13 

.05 

.00 

.00

out that the rain beats down on the unprotected soil, compr.cts it, 

washes fine debris into the pores of the surface strata, and thereby 

reduces the permeability.

Lewis (1937) and Musgrave and Free (1937) concluded that an 

increase in initial moisture content in the tested sediments correlated 

with a decrease in infiltration rate. They stated that this is probably 

due to the unavailability of the smallest interstitial spaces for the 

percolation of water after the initial supply is received. In finetextured materials part of the rate reduction is due to the swelling of 

clay and the resultant choking of the small pores.

Musgrave and Free (1937) found that even slight water turbidity 

caused a considerable decrease in infiltration rate. According to the 

U.S. Salinity Laboratory (1954), water having the same quality as 

that to be used later in actual infiltration should be used for the 

infiltration test.

Schiff (1953) found that infiltration rates increase as driving head 

increases. The depth of water to be applied during a test defends 

on the information desired. For example, in determination of rates 

of infiltration from waste-disposal pits, it may be desirable to apply 

the full head. According to Lewis (1937), the duration of testing 

also depends upon the information desired. Most infiltratior tests 

are of short duration to simulate the effects of rainfall or the application of irrigation water. Even then, the rate usually decreases with 

time of application.
1-8 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

It seems to be the opinion of investigators that when the rate of 

infiltration is low a correction must be made for the evaporation rate 

during the test, or the evaporation must be minimized by covering the 

water surface with a film of oil or a monomolecular filir of a waxy 

alcohol, such as hexadecanol or octadecanol. If infiltro^neter rings 

are used, a cover may be installed to reduce evaporation virtually to 

zero.

The infiltration rate is influenced also by plant and animal action 

in the sediments. Decaying roots leave channels throughout the root 

zone. Roots extend to considerable depths, some reaching 10 feet or 

more, according to the type of vegetation. Certain animals, such as 

gophers and earthworms, may considerably increase the permeability 

of the soil and, hence, the infiltration rate. However, the converse 

may be true, especially above a depth of 2 to 3 feet in the soil zone, 

where some decrease in infiltration rate may result from th?. growth of 

micro-organisms. To overcome growth of micro-organisms, 20 ppm 

(parts per million) of mercuric chloride is sometimes added to the 

water used for the test. The amount of activity by micro-organisms 

is not great in arid regions.

Desiccation structure in the sediments of arid regions may cause 

difficulties in determining the infiltration rate. Heavy clay soil may 

crack during drying, and considerable penetration may result upon 

the first application of water. As the soil adjoining the cracks is 

wetted, however, it swells and closes the cracks, so that infiltration 

becomes very slow.

Musgrave and Free (1937) and Free, Browning, and Musgrave 

(1940) observed a tendency toward an increase in rate of infiltration 

with an increase in sediment temperature. This is due to a decrease in 

water viscosity caused by the increase in temperature. Theoretically, 

in the ordinary range of temperatures, the infiltration rate should 

approximately double for a 50 °F increase in water temperature. The 

rate, however, does not always increase this much because of some soilwater reactions that are affected by these temperature changes, 

especially during longer test runs. Infiltration data should all be 

corrected and reported to some standard temperature, such rs 60°F.

In 1934, Powers reported that entrapped air may have a considerable 

effect on infiltration rate. As the wetting front moves downward 

below the infiltrometer ring or basin, air is trapped in the pore space 

and compressed by the increasing pressure. As the test run proceeds, 

the air is apparently flushed out at least in part and the infiltration 

rate may tend to increase; however, the general trend is for the entrapped air to cause a decrease in infiltration rate. A change in
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-9

atmospheric pressure also may affect the infiltration rate because of its 

effect on the expansion and contraction of the entrapped air.

The investigations discussed above show that to interpret infiltration 

data properly the investigator must know the hydrology of the deep 

sediments as well as that of the shallow ones. Adequate subsurface 

exploration always should accompany infiltration tests.

SUGGESTED METHOD FOR DETERMINING 

INFILTRATION RATE

No generally accepted method is applicable to all field conditions or 

problems in spite of all the studies that have been made of the measurement of infiltration rate. As already discussed, the large-pond 

method is the best for determining accurate infiltration data but is 

usually not feasible because of economic considerations. A method 

utilizing a ring infiltrometer is probably the most versatile of all available methods; thus, such a method is described in detail to provide a 

simple standard that can be used by all investigators.

APPABATUS AND SUPPLIES

Infiltrometer rings. Cylinders 20 inches high and of different diameters 12, 18, and 24 inches. (See fig. 2.) Cylinders made of i/ginch hard-alloy aluminum sheet with the bottom edge beveled from the 

outside to the inside.

Driving cap. Disks of i/2-inch aluminum alloy, with centering pins 

around edge, of a diameter slightly larger than the infiltrometer rings.

Depth gage. A hook gage, staff gage, or length of heav7 wire, 

pointed on one end, for use in measuring and controlling a definite 

depth of water (head) in the infiltrometer ring.

Driving equipment. A 12-pound mall or sledge and a 2- or 3-foot 

length of wood (2 X 4 or 4 X 4 in.).

Splash guard. Six-inch-square pieces of sheet rubber or burlap.

Rule or tape. Six-foot steel tape or 1-foot steel rule.

Metal tamp. Eound pipe 14 inches long with 6-inch length of 1- 

inch-wide by ^-inch-thick steel strap welded to end.

Shovels. One long-handled shovel and 1 trenching spade.

Hand auger. Orchard-type auger with 3-inch-diameter by 9-inchlong barrel, and rubber-headed tire hammer for knocking sample out 

of auger.

Water containers. One 50-gallon barrel for main water supply; 

one graduated cylinder of 1,000-ml or 1-quart capacity, or a graduated 

Mariotte tube, for measurement of water and used during the test; a 

12-quart pail for the initial filling of the infiltrometer; a ler<rth of 

rubber hose to siphon water from the barrel.
F-10 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

Material: H-inch aluminum 

alloy sheet

Butt joint, 

riveted

20"

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

\l

00(00

o |o

o| o

0 jo

o| o

o |o

o| o

o |o

00)0.0

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

V

FIGURE 2. Ring-infiltrometer construction.

Water supply. Preferably water of the same quality as that involved in the problem being examined.

Stopwatch. Pocket-type.

Level. A carpenter's level or bull's-eye level.

Recording materials. Record books and graph pap^.r (20X20 

divisions per inch), or special forms with graph section, and pencils.

PROCEDURE

If a single-ring infiltrometer is desired, a ring of any one of the 

different sizes may be used. However, because divergent flow increases 

as the infiltration area decreases, the largest ring practicable for the
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-ll

water supply available is preferable. If a double-ring infiltrometer 

is desired, a small ring is installed, centered inside a larger ring. The 

12- and 24-inch rings are suggested for a double-ring infiltrometer 

installation. The sides of the infiltrometer rings should b-> kept 

vertical, and undue disturbance of the soil surface from driving of 

the ring or from excessive trampling over the surface should be 

avoided.

The infiltrometer rings should be driven 6 to 8 inches irto the 

soil. Where the infiltration rate for a shallow subsurface layer is 

desired, a pit shoud be excavated to the desired depth before tin rings 

are installed. An infiltration ring is driven by means of a driving 

cap (%-in.-thick plate), which has been centered on the ring and on 

the edge of which has been placed a heavy wood block (2X4 or 4X4 

in., 2 or 3 ft. long). Blows of the heavy sledge on the block should 

be of medium force to prevent undue fracturing of the soil s irface. 

The wood block should be moved around the edge of the driving cap 

every one or two blows, so the cylinder will penetrate the soil surface 

uniformly, without the tilting back and forth that results in a disturbance of the soil. If a double-ring infiltrometer is usec1 , both 

rings are installed to the same depth.

The rings may be jacked into the soil surface if a truck and heavy 

jack are readily available. The jack should be centered upon a wood 

block that has been centered across the driving cap of the ring:. The 

top of the jack then can be placed under the end of the truck body 9Jid 

force applied to the jack. In heavy-textured soils it may be necessary 

to add additional weight to the truck in order to obtain sufficient 

force.

After the driving is completed and the rings are level, the disturbed 

soil adjacent to the ring on the inside should be tamped firm by means 

of the metal tamp ( lin. wide X 14 in. thick X 20 in. long). If the 

soil is disturbed more than one-eighth of an inch from the wall of its 

ring, an attempt should be made to reset the infiltrometer ring with 

less disturbance of the surface.

Some type of depth gage should be installed on the infiltrometer ring 

(fig. 3), or on both rings if a double-ring infiltrometer is used, to assist 

the investigator visually in maintaining a given water level (head). 

A staff gage is satisfactory if the infiltration rate is high, but a more 

accurate device should be used for low rates. A hook gage may be 

used, or a simple point gage may be constructed. The latter consists 

merely of a length of heavy wire, pointed OH both ends, inserted into 

the soil and left at a height above the soil surface equivalent to the 

desired depth of water. All these gages, except the staff gage (which 

is installed on the ring wall), should be installed near the certer of
F-12 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-13

the center ring and in the middle of the annular space between tH two 

rings. The water is at the proper depth when the point of the wire 

or hook barely makes a small pimple on the surface of the water. A 

minimum water level of 1 inch and a maximum of 6 inches is usually 

maintained.

A Mariotte tube can be utilized for maintaining the water level and 

for measuring the quantity of water. (See fig. 3.) The small quantities of water required for low infiltration rates may require measurement by small-diameter Mariotte tubes, or merely graduated cylinders. 

For higher rates or longer test runs, the water level may be held constant by means of a float valve connected to the ring and supplied from 

a large water-storage tank or trailer. (See fig. 4.) A recording level

FIGURE 4. Ring infiltrometer with float-valve control.

gage may be installed on the supply tank to record the amount of water 

used for the test.

To dissipate the force of the applied water and to prevent disturbance of the soil, the soil surface within the infiltrometer rings should 

be covered with a splash guard (pieces of burlap or rubber sheet). 

The initial amount of water poured into the rings need not be measured, but any water added to maintain the desired depth of water, 

after the start of the timing interval, should be recorded. This process is followed for both rings f in a double-ring infiltrometer. For 

comparison, infiltration rate is usually calculated for the outer as well 

as inner ring.
F-14 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

The water level should be maintained as near the desired depth as 

possible. For average materials the amount of water usec? should be 

recorded at intervals of 15 minutes for the first hour, 30 minutes for 

the second hour, and 60 minutes during the remainder of r, period of 

at least 6 hours. Permeable materials may require mor*. frequent 

early readings. A longer test may be desirable if the soil has a low 

permeability or if a long-range infiltration rate is more applicable to 

the problem being studied. To prevent evaporation, the driving cap 

or some other type of covering should be placed on the infiltrometer 

rings during the time intervals between water measurments. A 

small hole should be drilled in the center of the driving cap to permit 

air to enter.

Upon completion of the infiltration test, the infiltrometer rings are 

removed from the soil by light hammering on the sides, (the rings 

should be hammered only with a rubber hammer to prevent denting), 

by moving the ring back and forth, and by lifting. A trench then 

should be dug. One wall of the trench should pass along the centerline of the former location of the infiltrometer rings and be so oriented 

that it will be illuminated by the rays of the sun. If feasible, the 

trench should be large enough to include all the moist ar?.a. If the 

soil was moist before the start of the infiltration test, the use of dyes 

may assist in delineating the newly moistened areas (Tamm and 

Troedsson, 1957). If the soil is sandy, sodium fluorescein or indigo 

carmine may be used, but a portable black-light lamp will be needed 

to detect the fluorescein dye. The use of dyes in clay soils commonly 

is unsatisfactory because the clay may absorb the dye. If preferred, 

an auger (the Orchard barrel-type auger is suggested) may be used 

to determine the approximate outline of the moist area. Determination of the moisture content of samples obtained from different 

locations in the moist area commonly provides useful infc ^mation in 

interpreting the movement of water through any particular soil profile. The moist area should be plotted on the cross-section part of the 

report form. Contours of different moisture contents also may be 

plotted.

CALCULATIONS AND DATA REPORT

The volume of water used during each measured time interval 

should be converted into depth of water per unit of time (inches per 

hour or centimeters per hour). If the Mariotte tube is used, these 

calculations may be made by use of tables 2 and 3. For double-ring 

infiltrometers, these calculations usually are made for the inner ring, 

the outer ring, and both rings combined.
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-15

TABLE 2. Data for single-ring infiltrometers

Diameter of ring 

(inches)

12

18 

24

Area of ring 

(sqin)

113. 1

254. 5 

452. 4

Area of ring 

(sq cm)

729.7 

1, 642. 0 

2, 918. 9

Volume of 

water, in ml, 

providing 1 

in. depth

1,854 

4, 176 

7,415

Multiply volume of water used in 

ml by (A) or (B) to obtain depth 

of water

(A) Inches

5. 39X10-* 

2. 39X10-* 

1. 35X10-*

(B) Centimeters

13. 7CX10-4

6. orxio-*

3. 4? X 10-*

TABLE 3. Data for double-ring infiltrometers

Diameter of rings 

(inches)

12 and 18 

12 and 24 

18 and 24

Area of annular space 

(sq in)

141.4 

339.3 

197.9

Area of annular space 

(sq cm)

912.3 

2, 189. 2 

1, 276. 9

Volume of 

water, in ml, 

providing 1 

in. depth

2,318 

5,561 

3,244

Multiply volume of water used in 

ml by (A) or (B) to obtain depth 

of water

(A) Inches

4. 31X10-* 

1. 80X10-* 

3. 08X10-*

(B) Centimeters

10.96X10-* 

4. 57X10-* 

7. 83X10-*

All test data, as well as the infiltration rates calculated during the 

progress of the test, are recorded in a record book or on a report form. 

(See fig. 5.) The data are plotted also on the cross-sectioned part of 

the report form.

SUMMARY

Most of the investigation of infiltrometer rings or basins has been 

made by scientists interested in their use for evaluation of agricultural 

soils. Because of this, the infiltration rates were usually determined 

for the upper foot of surface soils, the heads applied were low to 

simulate rainfall or the application of irrigation water, the time of 

application was approximately 3 to 6 hours, and the maximurr rates 

were usually the ones used and reported. These items must b^. considered in evaluating infiltration data or in considering the use of the 

infiltrometer for other applications. For example, in the design of 

infiltration pits for waste disposal, all the above items would be 

different; the infiltration rates must be representative of the deeper 

sediments, the head applied may be several feet, the time of application would be long, and the minimum rather than the maximum rate 

of infiltration probably would be the one used.

Considering all factors, Musgrave and Free (1937) concluded that 

a specific infiltration rate for a particular type of sediment is virtually 

nonexistent and that measured rates are primarily of comparative 

value. The rates do have sufficient value, however, to warrant presentation of the discussion and test method in this report.
F-16 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

PROJECT NRTS INFILL. IDAHO

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FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-17

Infiltration is presently the subject of a model study in tl ^ U.S. 

Geological Survey's Hydrologic Laboratory at Denver, Colo. (Palmquist and Johnson, 1960). Because of the restrictions and expense 

involved in infiltration fieldwork, it would be useful if it could be 

shown that field infiltration rates could be correlated with permeability 

measurements made in the laboratory. However, with the information available at present, it would be extremely fortuitous if such a 

correlation were found.

SELECTED REFERENCES

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Arend, J. L., 1941a, Infiltration as affected by forest floor: Soil S°i. Soc.

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 1941b, Infiltration rates of forest soils in the Missouri Ozarks as

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726-728. 

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 1955, Model study of ring infiltrometer performance under low initial

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 1936, Soil characteristics influencing the movement and balance of soil 

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 1938, Soil permeability in relation to non-capillary porosity: Soil Sci. 

Soc. America Proc., v. 3, p. 52-56.
F-18 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

Baver, L. D., 1939, Ewald Wollny A pioneer in soil and water conservation 

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 1937, The variability of the permeability "constant" at low hydraulic 

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migration during water percolation in soils: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., 

v. 3, p. 44-51.

Bodman, G. B., and Mazurak, A. P., 1948, Infiltration of low sodirm irrigation 

water into soil with dense layer, in relation to treatment with gypsum and 

other materials: Am. Soc. Agronomy Jour., v. 40, p. 621-644.

Boynton, Damon, 1939, Capillary tension as a measure of the pore space unoccupied by water in some dense orchard subsoils: Soil Sci., v. 47, p. 347-353.

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Am. Soc. Agronomy Jour., v. 29, p. 85-92.

Brater, E. F., 1940, The unit hydrograph principle applied to small watersheds: 

Am. Soc. Civil Engineers Trans., v. 105, p. 1154-1178.

Browning, G. M., 1937, Changes on the erodibility of soils brought about by the 

application of organic matter : Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 2, p. 8.V96.

 1939, Volume change of soils in relation to their infiltration rates: Soil

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Browning, G. M., and Milam, F. M., 1944, Effect of different types of organic

materials and lime on soil aggregation: Soil Sci., v. 57, p. 91-106. 

Buckingham, Edgar, 1907, Studies on the movement of soil moisture: U.S. Dept.

Agriculture Bur. Soils Bull. 38, 61 p. 

Buehrer, T. F., 1932, The movement of gases through the soil as a criterion of

soil structure: Arizona Univ. Agri. Expt. Sta. Tech. Bull. 39, 57 p.
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-19

Burgy, R. H., and Luthin, J. N., 1956, A test of the single- and double-rir<? types 

or inflltrometers: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 37, p. 189-191.

Burgy, R. H., and Scott, V. H., 1952, Some effects of flre and ash on the infiltration capacity of soils: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 33, p. 405-416.

Casagrande, Arthur, 1937, Seepage through dams: New England Water Works 

Assoc. Jour., v. 51, p. 131-172.

Childs, B. C., and George, N. C., 1948, Soil geometry and soil-water equilibria, 

in interaction of water and porous materials!: Faraday Soc. Discussions, 

no. 3, p. 78-85.

Christiansen, H. R., 1944, Permeability-capillary potential curves for three 

prairie soils: Soil Sci., v. 57, p. 381-390.

Cole, J. S., and Mathews, O. R., 1939, Subsoil moisture under semiarid conditions : U.S. Dept. Agriculture Tech. Bull. 637, 70 p.

Colman, B. A., 1946, A laboratory study of lysimeter drainage under cortrolled 

soil moisture tension: Soil Sci., v. 62, p. 365-382.

Colman, E. A., and Bodman, G. B., 1944, Moisture and energy conditions during 

downward entry of water into moist and layered soils: Soil Sci. Soc. 

America Proc., 1943, v. 9, p. 3-11.

Cook, H. L., 1936, The nature and controlling variables of the water erosion 

process: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 1, p. 487 494.

 1946, The infiltration approach to the calculation of surface runoff:

Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 27, p. 726-743. 

Cox, M. B., 1952, Recording the intake of water into the soil: Jour. Soil and

Water Conserv., v. 7, p. 79-80. 

Craib, I. J., 1929, Some aspects of soil moisture in the forest: Yale Univ.

Forest School Bull. 25,62 p. 

Daniel, H. A., 1952, Recording concentric ring inflltrometer: Agronomy Jour.,

v, 44, p. 451. 

Diebold, C. H., 1941, An interpretation of certain infiltration values: in forest

areas obtained with the type F and type FA inflltrometers: Soil Sci. Soc.

America Proc., v. 6, p. 423-429.

 1951, Soil layers causing runoff from hard-land wheat fields in Colorado 

and New Mexico: Jour. Soil and Water Conserv., v. 6, p. 202-209.

 1954a, Effect of tillage practices upon intake rates, runoff and soil losses 

of dry-farm land soils: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 18, p. 88-91.

 1954b, Permeability and intake rates of medium textured soils in relation

to silt content and degree of compaction: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 18,

p. 339-343. 

Doneen, L. D., 1954, Salination of soils by salts in the irrigation water: Am.

Geophys. Union Trans., v. 35, p. 943-950. 

Duley, F. L., 1939, Surface factors affecting the rate of intake of water by soils:

Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 4, p. 60-64.

 1945, Infiltration into loess soil: Am. Jour. Sci., v. 243, p. 278-282.

Duley, F. L., and Domingo, C. E., 1943, Reducing the error in infiltration determinations by means of buffer areas: Am. Soc. Agronomy Jour., v. 35, 

p. 595-605.

 1944, Effects of water temperature on rate of infiltration: Soil Sci. Soc. 

America Proc., 1943, v. 8, p. 129-131.

Duley, F. L., and Kelly, L. L., 1939, Effect of soil type, slope, and surface conditions on intake of water by soils: Nebraska Agr. Expt. Sta. Researcl Bull. 

112, p. 16.
F-20 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

Duley, F. L., and Kelly, L. L., 1941, Surface condition of soil and time of application as related to intake of water: U.S. Dept. Agriculture Circ. 608, 30 p.

Elder, W. R., 1951, Factors affecting rate of water intake in Texas Blacklands: 

Jour. Soil and Water Conserv., v. 6, p. 195-197, 199.

Ellison, W. D., 1945, Some effects of raindrops and surface-flow or soil erosion 

and infiltration: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 26, p. 415-429.

Ellison, W. D., and Slater, C. S., 1945, Factors that affect surface sealing and 

infiltration of exposed soil surfaces : Agr. Eng., v. 26, p. 156-157, 162.

Enlow, C. R., and Musgrave, G. W., 1938, Effects on soil and water conservation, 

in Soils and men Yearbook of agriculture: U.S. Dept. Agriculture, 

p. 619-624.

Evans, D. D., Kirkham, Don, and Frevert, R. K., 1951, Infiltratior and permeability in soil overlying an impermeable layer: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., 

1950, v. 15, p. 50-54.

Fair, G. M., and Hatch, L. P., 1933, Fundamental factors governing- the streamline flow of water through sand: Am. Waterworks Assoc. Jour., v. 25, 

p. 1551-1565.

Fireman, Milton, 1944, Permeability measurements on disturbed soil samples: 

Soil Sci., v. 58, p. 337-^353.

Fischback, P. E., and Duley, F. L., 1951, Intake of water by claypan soils: Soil 

Sci. Soc. America Proc., 1950, v. 15, p. 404-408.

Fletcher, J. E., 1949, Some properties of water solutions that influence infiltration : Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 30, p. 548-554.

Free, G. R., 1953, Compaction as a factor in soil conservation: Soil Sci. Soc. 

America Proc., v. 17, p. 68-70.

Free, G. R., Browning, G. M., and Musgrave, G. W., 1940, Relative infiltration and 

related physical characteristics of certain soils: U.S. Dept. Agriculture 

Tech. Bull. 729, 52 p.

Free, G. R., and Palmer, V. J., 1940, Interrelationship of infiltration, air movement, and pore size in graded silica sand: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., 

v. 5, p. 390-398.

Freeman, V. M., 1936, Water-spreading as practiced by the Santa Clara waterconservation district, Ventura County, California: Am. Geophys. Union 

Trans., v. 17, p. 465-471.

Fry, A. S., 1949, Recent developments in hydrology with respect to stream flow 

forecasting: Internat. Assoc. Sci. Hydrology G4n. Assembled, Oslo 1948, 

Proc., v. 1, p. 143-151.

Gardner, Willard, Israelsen, O. W., Edlefsen, N. E., and Clyde, H. S., 1922, The 

capillary potential function and its relation to irrigation practice: Phys. 

Rev., 2d ser., v. 20, p. 196.

Gardner, Willard, and Widtsoe, J. A., 1921, The movement of so'l moisture: 

Soil Sci., v. 11, p. 215-232.

Gerdel, R. W., 1937, Reciprocal relationships of texture, structure and erosion 

in some residual .soils: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 2, p. 5?7-545.

Gustafson, A. F., 1937, Conservation of the soil: New York, McGrav-Hill, 312 p.

Haise, H. R., 1949, Flow pattern studies in irrigated coarse-texturel soils: Soil 

Sci. Soc. America Proc. 1948, v. 13, p. 83-89.

Hall, W. A., 1955, Theoretical aspects of water spreading: Agr. Eng., v. 36, 

p. 394-397, 399.

Harding, S. T., 1919, Relation of the moisture equivalent of soils to the moisture 

properties under field conditions of irrigation: Soil Sci., v. 8, p. 303-312.
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-21

 1937, Direct accretions to ground-water from rainfall: Am. Gexvphys.

Union Trans., v. 18, p. 368-371. 

Harrold, L. L., 1951, Report of the Committee on Infiltration, 1950-53 : Am.

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 1952, Use of soil porosity for water conservation: Agr. Bng., v. 33, 

p. 287-289, 292.

Hicks, W. I., 1944, A method of computing urban runoff: Am. Soc. Civil Engineers Trans., v. 109, p. 1217-1253.

Holtan, H. N., 1945, Time-consideration in hydrograph-analysis: Am. Geophys. 

Union Trans., v. 26, p. 407-413.

Horner, W. W., 1944, The drainage of airports: Illinois Univ. Eng. Expt. Sta. 

Circ. 49, 48 p.

Horner, W. W., and Jens, S. W., 1942, Surface runoff determination from rainfall without using coefficients: Am. Soc. Civil Engineers Trans., v. 107, 

p. 1039-1075.

Horner, W. W., and Lloyd, C. L., 1940, Infiltration-capacity values as determined 

from a study of an eighteen-month record at Edwardsville, Illinois: Am. 

Geophys. Union Trans., v. 21, p. 522-541.

Horton, R. E., 1919, Rainfall interception: U.S. Weather Bur. Monthly Weather 

Rev., v. 47, p. 603-623.

 1933, The role of infiltration in the hydrologic cycle : Am. Geophys. Union 

Trans., 14th Ann. Mtg., p. 446-460.

 1936, Hydrologic interrelations of water and soils: Soil Sci. Soc. America 

Proc., v. 1, p. 401^29.

 1939a, Analysis of runoff-plat experiments with varying infiltrationcapacity : Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 20, p. 693-711.

 1939b, Report of Hydrologic Advisory Committee to the Research Division 

of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service: Am. Geophys. Union Trans.. v. 20, 

p. 612-614.

 1941, An approach toward a physical interpretation of infiltrationcapacity : Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 5, p. 399-417.

 1942a, A simplified method of determining an infiltration-capacity curve 

from an infiltrometer experiment: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 23, 

p. 570-575.

 1942b, A simplified method of determining the constants in the infiltrationcapacity equation: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 23, p. 575-577.

 1945, Infiltration and runoff during the snow-melting season, with forestcover : Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 26, p. 59-68. 

Huberty, M. R., 1944, Compaction in cultivated soils: Am. Geophys. Union Trans.,

v. 25, p. 896-899. 

Huberty, M. R., and Pillsbury, A. F., 1941, Factors influencing infiltration-rates

into some California soils: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 22, p. 686-697. 

Israelsen, O. W., 1932, Irrigation principles and practices: New Yortr John

Wiley & Sons, 422 p. 

Jamison, B. C., 1946, The penetration of irrigation and rain water intc sandy

soils of Central Florida: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 10, p. 25-29. 

Jens, S. W., 1948, Drainage of airport surfaces some basic design considerations:

Am. Soc. Civil Engineers Trans., v. 113, p. 785-809. 

Johnson, W. M., 1940, Infiltration capacity of forest soil as influenced by litter:

Jour. Forestry, v. 38, p. 520.
F-22 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

Kidder, E. H., and Holtan, H. N., 1943, Application of a graphic method of

analysis to hydrographs of runoff-plots of various lengths: Am. Geophys.

Union Trans., v. 24, p. 487-493. 

Kirkham, Don, and Feng, C. L., 1949, Some tests of the diffusion theory and laws

of capillary flow, in soils: Soil Sci., v. 67, p. 29-40. 

Klute, A. 1952, Some theoretical aspects of the flow of water in unsaturated

soils: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 16, p. 144-148. 

Kohnke, Helmut, 1938, A method for studying infiltration: Sodl Sci. Soc. America

Proc., v. 3, p. 296-303. 

Kohnke, Helmut, Dreibelbis, F. R., and Davidson, J. M., 1940, A survey and

discussion of lysimeters and a bibliography on their construction and performance: U.S. Dept. Agriculture Misc. Pub. 372, 68 p. 

Kopecky, J. 1927, Investigation of the relations of water to soil: Internat. Soil

Sci. Cong., 1st, Washington 1927, Proc., v. 1, p. 495-503. 

Krimgold, D. B., and Beenhouwer, O., 1954, Estimating infiltration: Agr. Eng.,

v. 35, p. 719-725. 

Lassen, Leon, and Lull, H. W., 1951, Infiltration and the use of the infiltrometer: Internat. Union Geodesy Geophysics Assoc. Sci. Hydrology Gen. Assembly, Brussels 1951, v. 3, p. 310-315. 

Laverty, F. B., 1952, Recharging wells to prevent sea-water intrusion: Civil

Eng., v. 22, no. 5, p. 313-315. 

Leatham, R. P., and Riesbol, H. S., 1950, Infiltration and retention tests as

related to spillway design floods: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 31, p.

234-242. 

Lee, C. H., 1935, Report of Committee on absorption and transpiration, 1934-35:

Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 16, p. 392-404. 

Leslie, T. I., 1953, A note on the construction of a spray infiltromete:-: Australian

Soil Soi. Conf., Adelaide 1953, v. 2, p. 4.8.1-4.8.4. 

Lewis, M. R., 1937, The rate of infiltration of water in irrigation-practice: Am.

Geophys. Union Trans., v. 18, p. 361-368. 

Lewis, M. R., and Neal, E. H., 1928, Rate of infiltration of water into soils:

Agr. Eng., v. 9, p. 147-148. 

Lewis, M. R., and Powers, W. L., 1938, A study of factors affecting infiltration:

Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 3, p. 334-339. 

Lowdermilk, W. C., 1930, Influence of forest litter on run-off, per?olation, and

erosion: Jour. Forestry, v. 28, p. 474-491.

 1937, Water-intake of saturated soils: Am. Geophys. Union Trans.,

v. 18, p. 355-361. 

Lutz, J. F., 1935, The relation of soil erosion to certain inherent so^i properties:

Soil Sci., v. 40, p. 439-457. 

Lutz, J. F., and Hargrove, B. D., 1944, Some slope and water relations affecting

the movement of soil particles: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc. 1943, v. 8,

p.123-128. 

McCalla, T. M., 1943, Influence of biological products on soil structure and

infiltration: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc. 1942, v. 7, p. 209-214.

 1944, Water drop method of determining stability of so'l structure: 

Soil Sci., v. 58, p. 117-121.

 1946, The influence of micro-organisms and some organi" substances 

on water percolation through a layer of Peorian loess: Soil Sci. Soc. America 

Proc. 1945, v. 10, p. 175-179.

 1951, Studies on the effects of micro-organisms on rate of percolation 

of water through soils: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc. 1950, v. 15, p. 182-186.
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-23

Marshall, T. J., and Stirk, G. B., 1949, Pressure potential of water moving- downward into soil: Soil Sci., v. 68, p. 359-370.

 1950, The effect of lateral movement of water in soil on infil 4 ration 

measurements: Australian Jour. Agr. Research, v. 1, p. 253-265.

Mathews, O. R., 1916, Water penetration in the gumbo soils of the Belle Fourche 

Reclamation Project: U.S. Dept. Agriculture Bull. 447, 12 p.

Means, T. H., 1936, The effect of irrigation upon soil texture: Science, v. 84, 

p. 39-40.

Metzger, W. H., and Hide, J. C., 1938, Effect of certain crops and soil treatments on soil aggregation and the distribution of organic carbon in relation 

to aggregate size: Agronomy Jour., v. 30, no. 10, p. 833-843.

Miller, R. D., 1951, A technique for measuring soil-moisture tensions: in rapidly 

changing systems: Soil Sci., v. 72, p. 291-301.

Miller, R. D., and Richard, Felix, 1952, Hydraulic gradients during infiltration 

in soils: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 16, p. 33-38.

Mitchelson, A. T., 1934, Underground storage by spreading water Cabs.]: Am. 

Geophys. Union Trans., v. 15, p. 522-523.

Mitchelson, A. T., and Muckel, D. C., 1937, Spreading water for storage underground : U.S. Dept. Agriculture Tech. Bull. 578, 80 p.

Moore, R. E., 1939, Water conduction from shallow water tables: HiJ^ardia, 

v. 12, p. 383-426.

 1940, Relation of soil temperature to soil moisture; pressure potential,

retention, and infiltration rate: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 5, p. 61-64. 

Morris, H. M., 1922, The insect and other invertebrate fauna of arable land at

Rothamsted: Annals Appl. Biology, v. 9, p. 282-305. 

Moser, Frank, 1939, The influence of cropping practices on some physical and

chemical properties of soil: Soil Sci., v. 48, p. 421-431.

Muckel, D. C., 1936, Some factors affecting the rate of percolation on waterspreading areas: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 17, p. 471-474. 

Munns, Edward, 1939, app. 1, to Particulars regarding experimental forests and

work-centers for hydrologic research: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 20,

p.540-541. 

Munns, E. N., Preston, J. F., and Sims, I. H., 1938, Forests for erosion control,

in Soils and men Yearbook of agriculture: U.S. Dept. Agriculture, p.

609-614. 

Muntz, M. A., 1908, Influence of the permeability of soils on the corditions

and success of irrigation: Direction Hydraulique Agricoles Annales, v. 38,

p. 17. 

Muntz., M. A., Faure, M. L., and Laine, M. E., 1905, Etudes sur la perme'abilite'

des terres faites en vue de 1'arrosago: France Min. de 1'Agr. Dir. Ge"r, Eaux

et ForSts, Ann. Forets-Hydraulique, v. 33, p. 45-96. 

Musgrave, G. W., 1934, A quantitative study of certain factors affectir? soiland water-losses as the logical basis for developing practical metl ods of

erosion control: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 15, p. 515-521.

 1935a, A device for measuring precipitation waters lost from the soil 

as surface runoff, percolation, evaporation, and transpiration: Soil Sci., 

v. 40, p. 391-401.

 1935b, The infiltration capacity of soils in relation to the control of surface runoff and erosion: Agronomy Jour., v. 27, p. 336-345.

 1940a, Committee on Infiltration, 1939-40: Am. Geophys. Union Trans.,

v. 21, p. 412-414.
F-24 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

Musgrove, G. W., 1940b, Notes on recent developments in the inflltrr tion problem : 

U.S. Dept. Agriculture, Soil Conserv., v. 5, p. 232-235.

 1942, Report of Committee on Infiltration, 1941-42: Am. G^ophys. Union 

Trans., v. 23, p. 464-466.

 1943, Report of Committee on Infiltration, 1942-43: Am. G*>ophys. Union 

Trans., v. 24, p. 404-406.

 1944, Report of Committee on Infiltration, 1943-44: Am. Geophys. Union 

Trans., v. 25, p. 693-699.

 1946, Report of Committee on Infiltration: Am. Geophys. Union Trans.,

v. 27, p. 125-138. 

Musgrave, G. W., 1948, Commission on Underground Waters Irfiltration: Internat. Assoc. Sci. Hydrology Gen. Assembly, Oslo 1948, Proc., v. 3, p. 25-30. 

Musgrave, G. W., and Free, G. R., 1936, Some factors which modify the rate and

total amount of infiltration of field soils: Agronomy Jour., v. 28, p. 727-739.

 1937, Preliminary report on a determination of comparative infiltration 

rates on some major soil-types: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 18, p. 345-349.

Nelson, L. B., and Muckenhirn, R. J., 1941, Field percolation rate? of four Wisconsin soils having different drainage characteristics: Agronomy Jour., 

v. 33, p. 1028-1036.

Osborn, Ben, 1952, Range soil conditions influence water intake: Jour. Soil and 

Water Oonserv., v. 7, p. 128-132.

Palmquist, W. N., Jr., and Johnson, A. L, 1960, Model study of infiltration into 

layered materials : U.S. Geol. Survey open-file report, 5 p.

Parker, E. R., and Jenny, Hans, 1945, Water infiltration and related soil properties as affected by cultivation and organic fertilization: Soil Sci., v. 60, 

p. 353-376.

Pearse, C. K., 1937, A simple device for measuring the absorption rates of soils: 

Science, v. 85, no. 2210, p. 459-460.

Pearse, C. K., and Wooley, S. B., 1936, The influence of range plant cover on the 

rate of absorption of surface water by soils: Jour. Forestry, v. 34, p. 844-847.

Philip, J. R., 1953, Infiltration as a physically determinate phenomenon: Australian Soil Sci. Oonf., Adelaide 1953, v. 2, p. 4.9.1-4.9.5.

 1954, An infiltration equation with physical significance: Soil Sci.., 

v. 77, p. 153-157.

 1957a, The physical principles of soil water movement during the irrigation cycle: Internat. Comm. Irrig. Drainage Cong., 3d, Nev Delhi 1957, 

Trans., v. 3, question 8, p. 8.125-8.154.

 1957b, The infiltration equation and its solution, pt. 1 of The theory of 

infiltration : Soil Sci., v. 83, p. 345-357.

 1957c, Moisture profiles and relation to experiment, pt. 3 of. The theory 

of infiltration : Soil Sci., v. 84, no. 2, p. 163-178.

 1957d, Sorptivity and algebraic infiltration equations, pt. 4 of The theory 

of infiltration : Soil Sci., v. 84, no. 3, p. 257-264.

 1957e, The influence of the initial moisture content, pt. 5 of The theory 

of infiltration: Soil Sci., v. 84, no. 4, p. 329-339.

 1957f, Effect of water depth over soil, pt. 6 of The theory o* infiltration : 

Soil Sci., v. 85, no. 5, p. 278-286.

1958, The theory of infiltration, pt. 7: Soil Sci., v. 85, no. 6, p. 333-337.

Pillsibury, A. F., and Richards, S. J., 1954, Some factors affecting rates of irrigation water entry into Ramona sandy loam soil: Soil Sci., v. 78, p. 211-217

Pittman, D. D., and Kohnke, Helmet, 1942, An automatic self-recording infiltrometer: Soil Sci., v. 53, p. 429-434.
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-25

Powers, W. L., 1934, Soil-water movement as affected by confined air: Jour. 

Agr. Research, v. 49, p. 1125-1133.

Quirk, J. P., 1957, Effect of electrolyte concentration on soil permeability and 

water entry in irrigation soils: Internat. Oomm. Irrig. Drainage C">ng., 3d, 

New Delhi 1957, Trans., v. 3, question 8, p. 8.115-8.123.

Quirk, J. P., and Schofield, R. K., 1955, The effect of electrolyte concentration 

on soil permeability: Soil Sci., v. 6, p. 163-178.

Reinhart, K. G., and Taylor, R. E., 1954, Infiltration and available water storage 

capacity in the soil: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 35, p. 791-795.

Reitemeier, R. F., and Christiansen, J. E., 1946, The effect of organic matter, 

gypsum, and drying on the infiltration rate and permeability of a soil irrigated with a high sodium water: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 27, 

p. 181-186.

Reitemeier, R. F., Christiansen, J. E., Moore, R. E., and Aldrich, W.V7"., 1948, 

Effect of gypsum, organic matter, and drying on infiltration of a sodium 

water into a fine sandy loam: U.S. Dept. Agriculture Tech. Bull. 987, 36 p.

Richards, L. A., 1950, Laws of soil moisture: Am. Geophys. Union Tran^ , v. 31, 

p. 750-753.

 1952, Report of the Subcommittee on Permeability and Infiltration, Committee on Terminology, Soil Science Society of America: Soil Sci. Soc.

America Proc., v. 16, p. 85-88. 

Richards, L. A., Neal, O. R., and Russell, M. B., 1939, Observations on moisture

conditions in lysimeters, pt. 2: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 4, p. 55-59. 

Richards, L. A., and Weaver, L. R., 1944, Moisture retention by some irrigated

soils as related to soil-moisture tension: Jour. Agr. Research, v. 69, p. 215-235

[1945]. 

Richards, S. J., and Joffe, J. S., 1939, Percolation and absorption of water as they

relate to infiltration in collington sandy loam: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc.,

v. 4, p. 94-99. 

Robinson, A. R., and Rohwer, Carl, 1957, Measurement of canal seepage: Am.

Soc. Civil Engineers Trans., v. 122, p. 347-363. 

Robinson, R. R., and Alderfer, R. B., 1952, Runoff from permanent pastures

in Pennsylvania : Agronomy Jour., v. 44, p. 459-462. 

Rohwer, Carl, and Stout, O. V. P., 1948, Seepage losses from irrigation cl annels:

Colorado Agr. Expt. Sta. Tech. Bull. 38, 100 p. 

Russell, M. B., and Richards, L. A., 1938, The determination of soil rroisture

energy relations by centrifugation: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 3,

p. 65-69. 

Schiff, Leonard, 1951a, Hydrology of rates and amounts of surface runoff from

single- and mixed-cover watersheds: U.S. Soil Conserv. Service Tecl, Paper

104, 27 p.

 1951b, Hydrology of surface supplies to runoff: U.S. Soil Conserv. 

Service Tech. Paper 90, 25 p.

 1953, The effect of surface head on infiltration rates based on the performance of ring infiltrometers and ponds: Am. Geophys. Union Trans, v. 34, 

p. 257-266.

 1955a, Report of Committee on Infiltration, 1954-55: Am. G^phys. 

Union Trans., v. 36, p. 907-911.

 1955b, The status of water spreading for ground-water replenishment:

Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 36, p. 1009-1020.
F-26 GENERAL GROUND-WATER TECHNIQUES

Schiff, Leonard, and Dreibelbis, F. R., 1949a, Infiltration, soil noisture, and 

land-use relationships with reference to surface runoff: Am. Geophys. Union 

Trans., v. 30, p. 75-88.

 1949b, Movement of water within the soil and surface runoff with 

reference to land use and soil properties: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 30, 

p. 401-411.

 1949c, Preliminary studies oil soil permeability and its application: Am.

Geophys. Union Trans., v. 30, p. 759-766. 

Schiflf, Leonard, and Johnson, C. E., 1958, Some methods of alleviating surface

clogging in water spreading with emphasis on filters: Am. Geophys. Union

Trans., v. 39, p. 292-297. 

Scofield, O. S., 1924, The movement of water in irrigated soiLr: Jour. Agr.

Research, v. 27, p. 617-693. 

Sharp, A. L., and Holtan, H. N., 1940, A graphical method of analysis of sprinkledplat hydrographs: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 21, p. 558-574.

 1942, Extension of graphic methods of analysis of sprinkle4-plot hydrographs to the analysis of hydrographs of control plots and small homogeneous watersheds : Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 23, p. 578-593.

Sharp, A. L., Holtan, H. N., and Musgrave, G. W., 1949, Infiltration in relation 

to runoff on small watersheds: U.S. Soil Conserv. Service Te~h. Paper 81, 

40 p.

Sherman, L. K., 1935, Report of the Committee on Rainfall and Runoff, 1934-35: 

Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 16, p. 404-419.

 1944, Infiltration and the physics of soil moisture: Am. Geophys. Union

Trans., v. 25, p. 57-71. 

Sherman, L. K., and Mayer, L. C., 1941, Application of the infiltration theory to

engineering practice: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 22, p. 666-677. 

Sherman, L. K., and Musgrave, G. W., 1942, Infiltration, in Meinz?r, O. E., ed.,

Hydrology, pt. 9 of Physics of the earth : New York, McGraw-Hill, p. 244-258;

repr. 1949, New York, Dover Pubs., Inc. 

Slater, C. S., and Byers, H. G., 1981, A laboratory study of the field percolation

rates of soils: U.S. Dept. Agriculture Tech. Bull. 232, 23 p. 

Smith, F. B., Brown, P. E., and Russell, J. A., 1937, The effect of organic matter

on the infiltration capacity of Clarion loam: Agronomy Jour., v. 29,

p. 521-525. 

Smith, H. L., and Leopold, L. B., 1942, Infiltration studies in the Pecos River

watershed, New Mexico and Texas: Soil Sci., v. 53, p. 195-204. 

Smith, R. M., and Browning, D. R., 1947, Soil moisture tension ar-1 pore space

relations for several soils in the range of the "field capacity" : Soil Sci. Soc.

America Proc., v. 12, p. 17-21. 

Smith, W. O., 1949, Pedological relations of infiltration phenomena : Am. Geophys.

Union Trans., v. 30, p. 555-562. 

Soil Science Society of America, 1956, Report of definitions approved by the

Committee on Terminology: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 20, p. 430-440. 

Steinbrenner, E. C., 1950, An improved method for determining the water permeability of forest soils: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 15, p. 379-381. 

Stirk, G. B., 1953, The effect of cracking upon water entry into the soil: Australian Soil Sci. Conf., Adelaide 1953, v. 2, p. 4.7.1 -1.7.3. 

Tamm, C. O., and Troedsson, Tryggve, 1957, A new method for the study of water

movement in soil: Geol. Foren. Forh., Stockholm, v. 79, p. 581-587. 

Taylor, C. A., 1934, Water penetration in hardpan citrus soils: Agr. Eng., v. 15,

p. 202-203.
FIELD METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF INFILTRATION F-27

Taylor, W. P., 1935, Some animal relations to soils: Ecology, v. 16, p. 127-136.

Turner, G. T., and Dortignac, E. J., 1954, Infiltration, erosion, and herbage production of some mountain grasslands in western Colorado: Jour. Forestry, 

v. 52, p. 858-860.

Todd, D. K., and Bear, Jacob, 1959, River seepage investigation: California Univ. 

Water Resources Center Contr. 20,163 p.

U.S. Salinity Laboratory Staff, 1954, Diagnosis and improvement of saline and 

alkali soils: U.S. Dept. Agriculture, Agriculture Handb. 60,160 p.

Van Bavel, C. H. M., and Kirkham, Don, 1948, Field measurement of soil r^rmeability using anger holes: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 13, p. 90-96.

Veihmeyer, F. J., 1938, Report of the Committee on Physics of Soil Moisture, 

1937-38 The validity of the assumption that it is possible to produce different moisture-percentages in field-soils: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 19, 

p. 543-545.

Vennard. J. K., 1954, Elementary fluid mechanics: 3d* ed., New Yorl. John 

Wiley & Sons, 401 p.

Wallihan, E. F., 1940, An improvement in lysimeter design: Agronomy Jour., 

v. 32, p. 395-404, 3 figs.

Wilm, H. G., 1941, Methods for the measurement of infiltration: Am. Geophys. 

Union Trans., v. 22, p. 678-686.

 1943, The application and measurement of artificial rainfall on types FA

and F infiltrometers: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 24, p. 480-487. 

Wisler, C. O., and Brater, E. F., 1949, Hydrology: New York, John Wiley & Sons,

p. 175-197. 

Woodward, Lowell, 1943, Infiltration-capacities of some plant-soil complexes on

Utah range watershed-lands: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 24, p. 468-473. 

Zingg, A. W., 1943, The determination of infiltration-rates on small agricultural

watersheds: Am. Geophys. Union Trans., v. 24, p. 475-479. 

Zwerman, P. J., 1938, The relation of sheet erosion to the structure of DufHeld silt

loam: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 3, p. 304-311.

 1947, The value of improved land use as measured by preliminary data on 

relative infiltration rates: Am. Soc. Agronomy Jour., v. 39, p. 135-140.