What is Soil Permeability? Infiltration?
Photo credit: Christina Curell, Michigan State University
Permeability is the ability of soils to transmit water and air through its layers. Soil permeability is greatly affected by porosity, type and size of pores and properties that affect porosity like organic matter levels, aggregation, shrinking and swelling of clay particles, dispersion caused by low calcium levels versus sodium and magnesium and traffic. Infiltration is the rate at which water can move through a soil and its layers. It can be measured as the saturated hydraulic conductivity of a soil. Soil water infiltration depends upon texture, structure (aggregation), initial moisture levels, pore size and type and calcium levels versus sodium and magnesium.
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| Title | Source | Resource type and Date | Short Summary / Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil Health Demonstration: Tabletop Rainfall Infiltration | Soil Health Nexus | How-to Video May 2019 |
Gary Lesoing from University of Nebraska Extension will show you how to use a tabletop rainfall simulator. |
| Soil Health Assessment: Rainfall Infiltration | Soil Health Nexus | How-to Video May 2019 |
Gary Lesoing with the University of Nebraska Extension looks at rainfall infiltration rate for soil health in the field. |
| Soil Health 101 | Soil Health Nexus | Extension Webpage Jan 2017 |
This resource looks at how different soil health factors affect the permeability and infiltration of the soil. |
| Soil Compaction: The Silent Thief | University of Missouri | Extension Webpage
Oct 1993 |
Generally, a good soil for crop production contains about 25 percent water and 25 percent air by volume. This 50 percent is referred to as pore space. The remaining 50 percent consists of soil particles. Anything, for example, tillage and wheel traffic, that reduces pore space results in a dense soil with poor internal drainage and reduced aeration. |
| Rainfall simulator – soil health demonstration | Michigan State University | Video Demonstration Sep 2019 |
Paul Gross and Dean Baas, from Michigan State University Extension, give a rainfall simulator demonstration. The demonstration covers soil health topics such as runoff, water holding capacity, and aggregate stability. |
| On-Farm Soil Monitoring for Water Resource Protection: Farm Assessment for Water Resource Protection | Purdue University | Extension Publication December 2003 |
These five on-farm soil monitoring methods are intended to replace analytical soil tests. These monitoring methods and indicators include: Water infiltration rate, earthworm count, soil aggregate stability, penetration compaction, and plant and crop residue cover. |
| Youth Soil Quality Lessons and Videos – Soil Infiltration | University of Nebraska | Extension Webpage not dated |
The quality of soil depends upon a variety of factors. NRCS has developed Soil Quality Kit Guides, fact sheets and materials for teachers to integrate into their soils curriculum. In addition, a curriculum has been developed to use in the classroom. These materials were created with funds provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust. YouTube videos supplement these curricula as well. |
| Visualizing Soil Properties | SARE | Videos 2006 |
This series of videos illustrating soil processes such erosion, runoff, and infiltration can be used as a model for demonstrations in a classroom. |
| Infiltration rate | Soil Health Institute | Definition Dec 2017 |
The Soil Health Institute’s definition of infiltration rate. |
| Infiltration | Soilquality.org – NRCS & others | Webpage Sep 2011 |
Infiltration is an indicator of the soil’s ability to allow water movement into and through the soil profile. Soil temporarily stores water, making it available for root uptake, plant growth and habitat for soil organisms. |
| Soil Quality Indicators: Infiltration | USDA | NRCS Factsheet Jun 2008 |
Infiltration is the downward entry of water into the soil. The velocity at which water enters the soil is infiltration rate. Infiltration rate is typically expressed in inches per hour. Water from rainfall or irrigation must first enter the soil for it to be of value. |
| Soil Health Assessment: Collecting Rainfall Simulator Samples | Soil Health Nexus | How-to Video May 2019 |
Paul Gross with Michigan State University Extension discusses how to collect soil samples for a rainfall simulator. |
| Soil infiltration – guide for educators | USDA-NRCS | Educator’s guide / lesson plan May 2014 |
Information on soil infiltration management, importance, and how to measure. |
| Soil Health Assessments: Grass Soil Pit and Row Crop Soil Pit | Soil Health Nexus | How-to Videos May 2019 |
Using soil pits can show many properties of soil. In the video above, Gene Campbell with the NRCS assesses a grass soil pit. In the video below, Travis Harper with University of Missouri Extension assesses a row crop soil pit. |
| Soil Health Assessment: Soil Core Test | Soil Health Nexus | How-to Video May 2019 |
Todd Lorenz with University of Missouri Extension shows how to use a core sampler instead of a soil pit. |
| Title | Source | Resource type and date | Short Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil Permeability Testing for Earthen Secondary Containment Areas | New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection | Guidance Document Nov 2013 |
This testing guidance document was created to assist in creating and executing a solid permeability testing program. |
| Title | Source | Resource type and Date | Short Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Effects of Soil Health Management on Soil and Water Relations | USDA-NRCS | NRCS Whitepaper not dated |
Soil and water relationships can be described by soil porosity, water infiltration, permeability, and available water capacity |
This page reviewed by Liz Schultheis, Joe Rorick, and Walt Sell.
Last reviewed 10/1/19