Water Runoff Analysis Checklist

Protect your farmland & boost sustainability! Our Water Runoff Analysis checklist helps farmers identify risks, optimize water use, and comply with regulations. Download now for healthier soil & a thriving harvest. #agriculture #runoff #conservation #sustainability #farming

This Template was installed 4 times.

Site Assessment & Data Collection

1 of 9

Initial assessment of the agricultural site to identify potential runoff sources and collect baseline data.

GPS Coordinates of Assessment Start Point

Date of Site Assessment

Time of Site Assessment Start

Area of Field/Farm Under Assessment (hectares/acres)

Detailed Description of Field/Farm Topography & Vegetation

Land Use Types within Assessment Area

Site Map/Sketch (indicating drainage patterns, key features)

Dominant Soil Type(s) Observed

General Condition of Ground Cover (e.g., Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor)

Rainfall & Hydrologic Data Analysis

2 of 9

Reviewing rainfall patterns, intensity, and frequency, along with relevant hydrological data for the area.

Start Date of Rainfall Data Collection

End Date of Rainfall Data Collection

Average Annual Rainfall (mm/inches)

Maximum Hourly Rainfall Intensity (mm/inches/hr)

Rainfall Data Source

Description of Hydrologic Data Used (e.g., streamflow records, snowpack data)

Rainfall Data Files (e.g., CSV, Excel)

Recurrence Interval (for design storm - years)

Soil Characteristics & Infiltration

3 of 9

Evaluating soil types, permeability, and infiltration rates to understand water absorption capacity.

Soil Organic Matter (%)

Soil Bulk Density (g/cm³)

Soil Texture Class

Initial Infiltration Rate (mm/hr)

Steady-State Infiltration Rate (mm/hr)

Description of Soil Profile (layers, colors, consistencies)

Soil Texture Analysis Report (if available)

Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (cm/hr)

Topography & Slope Analysis

4 of 9

Analyzing the land's slope and elevation to determine runoff pathways and potential accumulation areas.

Maximum Slope (%)

Average Slope (%)

Highest Elevation Point (GPS Coordinates)

Lowest Elevation Point (GPS Coordinates)

Contour Maps or Topographic Survey

Description of Terrain Features (e.g., gullies, depressions)

Dominant Aspect (Direction Slope Faces)

Agricultural Practices Evaluation

5 of 9

Assessing farming techniques (tillage, irrigation, fertilization, crop selection) and their impact on runoff.

Tillage Method Employed?

Fertilizer Application Rate (lbs/acre)

Types of Fertilizer Used (Select all that apply)

Irrigation System Description (Type, Frequency, Volume)

Irrigation Volume (gallons/acre/irrigation)

Crop Rotation Practices?

Describe Crop Rotation/Cover Cropping (if applicable)

Upload Field Map/Layout (showing planting areas)

Runoff Modeling & Estimation

6 of 9

Using appropriate models (e.g., NRCS Curve Number method, SWAT) to estimate runoff volume and peak flow rates.

Modeling Approach Selected

Rainfall Intensity (in/hr)

Curve Number (CN)

Area (acres)

Estimated Runoff Volume (acre-feet)

Peak Flow Rate (cfs)

Model Input Data Description (e.g., data sources, assumptions)

Model Input File(s)

Water Quality Assessment

7 of 9

Sampling and analyzing runoff water for pollutants (sediment, nutrients, pesticides) to determine water quality impacts.

pH Level

Turbidity (NTU)

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) (mg/L)

Nitrate-N (mg/L)

Phosphate-P (mg/L)

Pesticide Concentration (Specify Pesticide) (µg/L)

Indicators of Fecal Contamination Present?

Observations of Color or Odor

Sampling Date

Sampling Time

Mitigation Measures Evaluation

8 of 9

Identifying and evaluating potential runoff control measures (e.g., cover crops, terraces, riparian buffers).

Potential Cover Crop Options Considered (Select all that apply)

If 'Other' cover crop was selected, please specify:

Estimated Terracing Slope Reduction (%)

Riparian Buffer Type (If Applicable)

If 'Other' Riparian Buffer type was selected, please specify:

Estimated width of Riparian Buffer (meters)

Conservation Tillage Practices Considered (Select all that apply)

If 'Other' Conservation Tillage was selected, please specify:

Nutrient Management Plan Review Required?

Reporting & Documentation

9 of 9

Compiling findings into a clear report with recommendations and maintaining detailed records of the analysis.

Executive Summary of Findings

Estimated Runoff Volume (cubic meters)

Peak Runoff Flow Rate (m³/s)

Runoff Modeling Output Files (e.g., simulation results)

Overall Risk Level (Based on analysis)

Detailed Description of Recommended Mitigation Measures

Date of Report Completion

Analyst Signature

Any Limitations of the Analysis

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