Rainfall Infiltration Return Frequency Estimates

Depth-duration analysis, such as accomplished for rainfall, can be useful in the analysis of infiltration of rainfall. The assessment of infiltration depth-duration in terms of return frequency is of interest. In this paper, depth-duration values of daily rainfall infiltration are estimated using the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Curve Number (CN) approach for estimating daily runoff. The CN methods may be generally applicable to soils that are free draining. From the estimated history of daily infiltration, a depth-duration analysis is accomplished for all duration sizes from 1 day to 365 days. These annual outcomes are then analyzed as to a possible underlying probability distribution. For the rain gages considered, the depth-duration infiltration estimates (using the CN approach) appear to be normally distributed. From the fitted distribution, estimates of rare events of rainfall infiltration may be made, and possible linkage to earth movement events accomplished with respect to return frequency of infiltration, which in turn can aid in the design and risk assessment of fixed works involving soil water accumulation.