Parameter Estimation for Infiltration using Double Ring Infiltrometers

Rainwater infiltration rates are critical to hydrologists' understanding of the behavior of a soil during rainfall events, as well as for predictive estimates of runoff potential. However, current infiltration studies fail to account for inherent procedural error associated with this technique. In August and September of 2007, infiltration rates of soils determined to be statistically similar on the basis of antecedent moisture, slope, soil texture, and vegetation were measured and analyzed. The rates were used to develop error parameters for standard use of double- ringed infiltrometers. Another set of statistically similar soils was infiltrated to establish the viability of these parameters. The objective of this study is to establish error parameters for use with double-ringed infiltrometers. Our hypothesis is that infiltration rates of soils of statistically similar antecedent moistures, vegetation types, and soil textures will fall within one standard deviation of the mean, accounting for a more uniform distribution rather than normal distribution.