Use of a Versatile Experimental System for Soil Erosion Studies

Abstract

Abstract A laboratory facility for the study of soil erosion is described. Rainfall from a modular system supplied raindrops at near terminal velocity to prepared soil beds set in a flume with slope adjustable up to 30%. A comparison was made of erosion under overland flow alone and storm rains of the same intensity (discharge), but different energy levels. Raindrop impact in runoff flow was a powerful agency in promoting soil transport and inhibiting rill formation. Bed‐load movement was important in the transport of sand grains, even where the runoff was disturbed by raindrops.