Throughflow

Throughflow

Throughflow is the movement of water within a soil layer. Usually, you will find it in areas with a downward slope, and it occurs in the subsurface above the water table. In this photo, throughflow is occurring, though the photo does not give full context to the area. For context, the video is taken above the main channel and was taken in mid-spring when there were high flows and significant snowmelt. Surrounding this area was a valley where water was moving from the surrounding hillsides, and the high flows from the main channel caused water to move through the soil along the banks. You can see this is an area that often experiences throughflow due to the red osier dogwoods and other riparian vegetation present. Riparian vegetation is present in regions with more consistent soil moisture. Near this stream, the soil saturation is caused by throughflow.