Simulation of infiltration process in Kokamthan village using Horton model

Abstract

Infiltration, signifying the downward movement of water, consistently shapes various surface runoff features, influencing both their magnitude and distribution. Traditionally, assessing soil infiltration in the field has been a time-consuming and challenging task. However, the use of assorted infiltration models has significantly streamlined this process. This study focused on measuring soil infiltration in clay soil using a double-ring infiltrometer. The Horton infiltration model emerged as a prominent choice for analyzing the infiltration characteristics of clay soil. Cumulative infiltration depths were employed to determine model parameters and evaluate its performance. A comparison between measured infiltration rates and model-estimated rates was conducted. Statistical parameters, such as the coefficient of determination (R²), indicated a strong mean value of 0.842, approaching unity. Both the root mean squared error (RMSE) and absolute mean difference (AMD) demonstrated robust agreement between field-measured infiltration depths and model-estimated infiltration depths. The results of this investigation suggest that the Horton infiltration model serves as a suitable tool for estimating soil infiltration characteristics in the Kokamthan village within the Godavari basin, part of the Kopargaon region.