Soil and Beds
Soil Percolation Time Calculator
Planning drain time starts with consistent values for test depth and drain rate. This calculator performs that arithmetic.
Enter values for drain time
Replace the Soil Percolation Time examples before using drain time.
Preparing the Soil Percolation Time values
The Soil Percolation Time input panel defines Test depth and Drain rate. Note any Soil Percolation Time conversion.
Test depth. Default in Soil Percolation Time: 6 in.
Drain rate. Its Soil Percolation Time demonstration rate is 0.4 in/hr.
Scope of this drain time calculation
Soil Percolation Time focuses on Drain time and combines Test depth and Drain rate.
Use drain time to estimate time for a measured water depth to drain, then inspect test depth in the field.
Soil Percolation Time field limitation
Smeared test holes and changing groundwater affect results.
A zero Drain rate leaves drain time undefined in Soil Percolation Time.
Formula for drain time
Soil Percolation Time divides quantities drawn from Test depth and Drain rate.
Soil Percolation Time evaluates test depth at 6 in and drain rate at 0.4 in/hr as 15.00 hr.
Using the Soil Percolation Time result
Drain time carries the planning decision here. Keep the measurement basis consistent across alternatives.
After calculating drain time
Write down Test depth and Drain rate before acting on Drain time. Area-weighted pH: Weighted Soil pH Calculator handles this follow-up.
The Soil Percolation Time note should distinguish direct observations from rates, forecasts, targets, and other assumptions. Soil carbon stock? See Soil Carbon Stock Calculator.
Once an actual outcome is available, enter it separately using the same definition as drain time.
Soil Percolation Time low-and-high comparison
Raise Test depth from 6 in to 6.6 in; keep drain rate fixed. Drain time moves from 15.00 hr to 16.50 hr. A separate estimate of dry organic matter comes from Soil Organic Matter Addition Calculator.
Soil Percolation Time isolates test depth in this test; biological response remains outside the arithmetic. Test lime product needed separately in Lime Application Amount Calculator.
If test depth has a plausible range, save low and high cases instead of averaging the endpoints.
Common questions about test depth
Can Drain rate be zero in Soil Percolation Time?
In Soil Percolation Time, zero drain rate makes drain time undefined.
Can one sample support Soil Percolation Time?
Not always. Drain time may vary with depth and location, so several readings or a composite sample can be more representative.