Term

Scale

Timescale

Definition

Interflow

Slope, field

Min, h^a

Lateral flows below the soil surface.

Matrix flow

(also by-pass flow)

Soil

Vertical movement of water downward along subsoil pathways such as wormholes and fissures, often occurring under unsaturated conditions. Also common in very porous media (e.g. sandy texture soils).

Runoff

Slope, field

Min, h^a

General hydrological term describing the lateral movement of water off the land above and below ground, causing a short term increase in flow at the watershed outlet.

Overland flow

(also referred to as surface runoff)

Slope, field

Min, h^a

Lateral movement of water exclusively over the soil surface, down slope, during heavy rain.

Return flow

Slope, field

Min, h^a

Where a sub-surface flow pathway emerges at the soil surface.