Where does the runoff go?

The fate of runoff depends on a variety of factors, such as the topography of the land, the presence of vegetation, and the type of soil. Some of the possible pathways for runoff include:

- Infiltration: This is the process by which water seeps into the ground. Infiltration is most likely to occur in areas with permeable soils, such as sand and gravel. Infiltrated water can either become groundwater or be stored in the soil profile, where it can be used by plants or evaporate.

- Evapotranspiration: This is the process by which water is lost from the land surface through evaporation and transpiration. Evapotranspiration is most likely to occur in areas with warm temperatures, high humidity, and abundant vegetation. Evapotranspiration can significantly reduce the amount of runoff generated from a given rainfall event.

- Overland flow: This is the process by which water flows over the land surface to a stream, river, or other water body. Overland flow is most likely to occur in areas with steep slopes, impermeable soils, or a lack of vegetation. Overland flow can cause erosion, which is the transport of soil particles by water.

- Throughflow: This is the process by which water flows through the soil profile to a stream, river, or other water body. Throughflow is most likely to occur in areas with permeable soils and a high water table. Throughflow can contribute to baseflow, which is the portion of a stream's flow that comes from groundwater.

The relative importance of these different pathways for runoff can vary depending on the specific conditions of a given location.