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SoilMoisture / Stevens - Soil Infiltrometer
A soil infiltrometer is a device used to measure the rate at which water infiltrates into the soil. That is, how quickly water moves from the surface in the field into the ground. Infiltration rate equals the change in water depth on surface divided by time. Time intervals measurements are typically every 5 to 10 minutes. It is widely used in agriculture, hydrology, environmental science, civil engineering, and soil management. Infiltrometer uses include: • Evaluate irrigation efficiency • Design rain gardens or stormwater infiltration systems • Assess soil compaction or land use impacts • Estimate runoff potential and erosion risk
A soil permeameter and an infiltrometer are both essential instruments in soil science and hydrology for assessing the movement of water through soil. They share common features in measuring soil hydraulic properties, evaluating water flow, and are influenced by soil texture and structure. Both tools are widely utilized in fields such as agriculture, engineering, and environmental research to enhance understanding of water dynamics.
Permeameters measure how quickly water moves through soil (i.e. permeability or hydraulic conductivity) under saturated conditions, typically using a soil column in the lab or field. They focus on subsurface flow.
Infiltrometers measure how quickly water enters the soil surface (i.e. infiltration rate) under unsaturated to saturated conditions, usually in the field. They focus on surface water entry.
In summary a Permeameter measures the flow of water through the subsurface soil, whereas an infiltrometer measures the water flow into the soil from the soil surface.
Part # PR15
A Guelph infiltrometer is a field device used to measure the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and infiltration rate of soils directly in situ (in the field). It’s particularly useful for evaluating how water behaves in the root zone and near-surface soil layers.
Applications
1. Assessing drainage capacity of soils
2. Designing septic systems
3. Evaluating agricultural fields for irrigation planning
4. Planning stormwater infiltration systems
5. Measuring effects of soil compaction
Part # PR30 Double Ring Infiltrometer, 12″ and 24″ Rings, 3L and 10L Bubblers
The Double Ring Infiltrometer is suitable for almost any type of soil and is applied in irrigation and drainage projects, groundwater and infiltration basins, in optimizing water availability for plants and to determine the effects of cultivation.