The role of seepage in erodibility

Abstract This paper describes a laboratory experimental study to examine the role of seepage in the soil‐water erosion process. The study utilized a laboratory flume, which was subjected to both seepage and rainfall in order to determine the exact character of the influence of seepage on erosion rates. The results from the experimental tests performed on sand and sandy clay till are reported. The experimental results show that seepage, by itself, has little effect on erosion rates. However, the erosion caused by rainfall is increased when seepage is present. The increased erosion was not caused by an increase in the total runoff from the seepage. It was found that seepage has an effect on the erodibility of the sand and sandy clay till. The results also show that the impact of seepage on the erodibility of the sand is greater than that of the sandy clay till. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.