Originally Posted By: SetterGuy
I've got a question about runoff. My pond is about an acre, it has about nine acres of drainage coming into it. About half timber, and half alfalfa fields. We've had a very dry second half to the summer. About 1" of rain from August until Nov 1.
Then we have had two nice rains in Nov. about 8" total. Some runoff as it rained hard at times. My pond came up about 14-18".
I've talked to others that have had less rain, but have seen a much more dramatic increase in water level.
I know there must be a million variables. I'm aware of most of them.
My question is, how much "below ground" runoff is normal.
Example. A very slow 1" rain, with no visible runoff, I would expect a 1" increase water level. Am I wrong about this. I know ground saturation is a really big factor. Along with soil types, and vegetation types.
Thanks
Jeff


Jeff, one other factor I haven't seen mentioned much yet is the slope of the watershed. A very gentle slope will result in considerably less runoff unless the ground is soaked to begin with.

My pond has about 8 to 1 ratio of watershed to pond, which is plenty considering east Texas gets around 45 - 50 inches a year and the slopes are pretty darn steep in the hill country.

7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160