Design and application of a direct-push vadose zone gravel permeameter.

Abstract

We read with interest the recent article by Miller et al. (2011) on the design and application of a new “gravel permeameter” for in situ measurement of field saturated hydraulic conductivity, Kfs [LT−1], in unconsolidated vadose zones comprised of coarse-textured porous media. In this method, a stout pipe with a screened section and a basal drive shoe is pushed, driven or vibrated into the vadose zone. A steady head of water is ponded in the pipe, and the steady water discharge out through the pipe screen and into the vadose zone is measured. In vadose zones where the depth to the water table (or an impermeable layer) is more than three times the water depth in the pipe, Kfs is determined using the zone 1, method 3 “gravity permeability” analysis (USBR, 2001):