what is the process of runoff

What is runoff short answer?

Runoff is nothing more than water "running off" the land surface. Just as the water you wash your car with runs off down the driveway as you work, the rain that Mother Nature covers the landscape with runs off downhill, too (due to gravity). Runoff is an important component of the natural water cycle.

Which process causes runoff?

Runoff occurs when the soil is saturated with water, preventing infiltration of more moisture. It plays a significant role within the water cycle process, so that water is returned to the atmosphere after being stored in a river, lake, or ocean.

What is runoff in the hydrologic cycle?

Runoff occurs when there is excessive precipitation and the ground is saturated (cannot absorb any more water). Rivers and lakes are results of runoff. There is some evaporation from runoff into the atmosphere but for the most part water in rivers and lakes returns to the oceans.

What causes water to runoff?

And now when it rains, the water (often called runoff or stormwater) runs off roofs and driveways into the street. Runoff picks up fertilizer, oil, pesticides, dirt, bacteria and other pollutants as it makes its way through storm drains and ditches - untreated - to our streams, rivers, lakes and the ocean.

What happens to runoff water?

A portion of the precipitation seeps into the ground to replenish Earth's groundwater. Most of it flows downhill as runoff. Runoff is extremely important in that not only does it keep rivers and lakes full of water, but it also changes the landscape by the action of erosion.

What causes surface runoff?

Surface runoff often occurs because impervious areas (such as roofs and pavement) do not allow water to soak into the ground. Furthermore, runoff can occur either through natural or man-made processes. Surface runoff is a major component of the water cycle. It is the primary agent of soil erosion by water.

What does a runoff include?

Runoff includes not only the waters that travel over the land surface and through channels to reach a stream but also interflow, the water that infiltrates the soil surface and travels by means of gravity toward a stream channel (always above the main groundwater level) and eventually empties into the channel.

What are examples of runoff?

Some common examples that can contribute to harmful runoff includes over fertilizing our yards or fertilizing before a heavy rain, not picking up pet waste, and excessive use of pesticides.

What are 3 types of runoff?

There are three major types of runoff depending on the source: surface flow, interflow, and base flow.

What is runoff quizlet?

Runoff. the occurrence of surplus liquid (as water) exceeding the limit or capacity. Watershed.

What causes agricultural runoff?

agricultural runoff can occur because of improper management of animal feeding operations, plowing excessively, poorly executed application of pesticides, irrigation water and fertilizer. As agricultural runoff enters bodies of water it can have negative impacts on the environment.

Which condition would create the most runoff?

Light, gentle precipitation is more likely than heavy rain to end up as runoff. Low-lying areas often located near streams that develop from filled-in marshes.