surface runoff
Overland flow of excess water (with or without accumulated contaminants) that cannot be absorbed by the ground as infiltration.
Noun
- Overland flow of excess water (with or without accumulated contaminants) that cannot be absorbed by the ground as infiltration.
- When there is very heavy rainfall on California hillsides over a prolonged period, there is almost always ensuing surface runoff.
Synonyms: stormwater runoff[Appendix:Glossary
Origin
From surface + runoff.