Influence of topography and soil‐depth on runoff from forest land

Abstract

It has been recognized that topography, size, shape, vegetation, and soil‐profile differ for individual drainage‐areas. These inherent properties of watersheds together with climatic factors are the principal causes for variations in the hydrologic characteristics of different drainage‐areas. These properties account for the differences in unit‐tributary contributions to the runoff of the larger streams. Few watersheds are uniform within themselves as regards topography, vegetation, and soil‐profile, but small watersheds show less variability in these properties and are, therefore, most useful in the study of contributions of tributaries to runoff of larger streams. They are also more useful in the study of the complete water‐cycle, and of the changes within the water‐cycle resulting from changes in conditions of vegetation and soil brought about through different land‐use practices.