Percolation

In the irrigated cells of the Lower East Coast, there is a distinction made between infiltration and percolation, see Figure 16. Infiltration in the irrigated area is the transfer from ponding to the unsaturated zone of soil. While percolation is defined as the water transfered from the unsaturated zone to the saturated zone or water table aquifer.

It is important that an accurate estimate of the PERC value be made because it affects the recharge of the water table aquifer. In the Agricultural Field Scale Irrigation Requirements Simulation (AFSIRS) Model percolation can be calculated because percolation occurs when the soil moisture exceeds the maximum soil's field water storage capacity, SWMAX.

if (St > SWMAX) then PERC = St - SWMAX

else PERC = 0

endif.

Note: PERC is also calculated, not estimated in the South Florida Water Management Model.

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