OREGON STATE UNIVERSIT Y EXTENSION SERVICE

Photo: Maria Cahill

In this test, water is added to a hole at the site of a proposed rain garden to determine how quickly runoff will infiltrate native soil.

LOW-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT FACT SHEET

INFILTRATION TESTING
Maria Cahill and Derek C. Godwin Existing soil or geologic maps can be used in the initial

O
ne of the first steps in siting a low-impact steps to evaluate the site’s potential for infiltration,
development facility is infiltration testing. but maps alone don’t present enough information.
Infiltration tests estimate the rate at which runoff Infiltration testing often reveals different conditions at
will infiltrate, or pass through, native soil. An infiltration different places on the site and at different depths.
test, in essence, involves digging a hole, pouring in Tests can vary by the size of area contributing
water, and measuring the drop in water level over time. runoff to the LID facility and the type of facility
(PSAT 2005). These infiltration facilities include
This information is used to answer three important
infiltration rain gardens, vegetated filter strips, porous
questions:
pavements, infiltration planters, swales, drywells, and
•• Is the site suitable for an infiltration facility? soakage trenches.
•• Can the site be developed to meet water quality
standards? Maria Cahill, principal, Green Girl Land Development Solutions;
•• What size of low-impact development (LID) facility and Derek Godwin, watershed management faculty, professor,
biological and ecological engineering, College of Agricultural
should be installed?
Sciences, Oregon State University.

E M 921 4
August 2018
 How deep?
Infiltration testing depth varies with the type
of facility and other siting considerations

Infiltration rain garden

Existing grade 1"
below ponding depth

6" ponding depth

3" mulch
Photo: USDA Web Soil Survey
Use a soil map in the initial stages of evaluating a site’s potential
for infiltration, but follow up with formal testing.

In contrast, filtration facilities, such as filtration rain Native soils infiltrate slower than 12 in./hour.
If slower, amend soil to support plants.
gardens and planters designed to slow the flow of water
Infiltration testing depth: 8" below existing grade
rather than treat runoff, allow the runoff to pass through –1" elevation difference + 6" ponding depth + 3" mulch = 8"
only the upper layers of soil to an underground perforated
pipe, which routes the water offsite. Those constructing
filtration facilities don’t need to test native soils, but the Infiltration rain garden
amended soil should be tested to ensure that the facility with imported planting soil, grade high
can convey the appropriate volume of water.
Existing grade 10" above ponding depth

When and where 6" ponding depth

There are certain times when an infiltration test
3" mulch
should wait: Do not test during a rainstorm, within 24 18" engineered
hours of a significant (greater than ½ inch) rainstorm, or planting soil
when the ground is frozen (LIDMM 2008).
The tests proposed here measure infiltration of small,
specific areas. If the proposed facility encompasses a
large area, take multiple measurements within the area Native soils should infiltrate faster than 12 in./hour.
to properly assess the site’s suitability (PSAT 2005). If slower, amend soil to support plants.
Infiltration tests should be performed across the Infiltration testing depth: 37" below existing grade
10" elevation difference + 6" ponding depth + 3" mulch + 18" imported soil = 37
proposed development area prior to full build-out. This
provides the opportunity to install LID facilities on optimal
soils and geology. If buildings are proposed on slower
Infiltration rain garden
infiltrating soils and stormwater facilities proposed in
faster infiltrating soils, builders can plan their sites to
with imported planting soil, grade low
improve stormwater management, prevent flooding,
address water-quality issues, and decrease the cost of the
on-site stormwater management facilities. The earlier in 6" ponding depth
the development process infiltration tests are conducted, 3" mulch
the better. Infiltration information will ultimately be
necessary to select and design LID facilities. Existing grade 13" below 18" engineered
ponding depth planting soil

Testing depth
It’s a good idea to conduct infiltration testing at the
same depth as the bottom of the LID facility you expect Native soils should infiltrate faster than 12 in./hour.
If slower, amend soil to support plants.
to install. But in many cases, the test itself determines
how deep the facility should extend as well as its Infiltration testing depth: 14" below existing grade
– 13" elevation difference + 6" ponding depth + 3" mulch + 18" imported soil = 14"
location. How, then, should you proceed?

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Some guidelines: Web Soil Survey, at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov.
•• Test at shallow depths. Soils just 6 inches below In addition, locate and avoid unique resources such
existing grade may be suitable for infiltration and have as riparian areas; steep slopes and other erodible
enough nutrients to support plant growth. In these soils; rare geological outcrops such as serpentine; and
cases, consider a simple facility that doesn’t replace historic or cultural resources. See the site planning
the native soils. checklist provided at https://stormwater.extension.
oregonstate.edu/site-planning-check-list. This step
•• Test at multiple depths. may involve a number of professionals such as a
•• Compare existing surface elevation to design wildlife and wetland scientist, surveyor, arborist, or
elevation to help determine appropriate testing depths. geotechnical engineer.
Deep drywells, where the bottom and sides of the STEP 2: TEST PIT OBSERVATIONS
facility would be too costly to access safely, pose
a special challenge for infiltration testing. Because Dig the test pit and record subsurface conditions such
drywells are vertical in nature, they are more likely to as soil texture, soil horizon depths, fragipan, and bedrock.
pass through two or more different soil horizons. Often, Sometimes, one of these factors may indicate a barrier to
drywells are chosen because infiltration rates are poor siting LID facilities.
at the surface of the soil or because site surface area is After the infiltration testing, you should dig below
limited. Sometimes a better-draining soil exists some the bottom of the test pit to make sure adequate
feet below the surface. Therefore, infiltration testing distance is available before hitting bedrock or another
should be conducted at multiple depths based on the restrictive layer.
size and depth of the proposed drywell. STEP 3: INFILTRATION TESTING
Perform the actual infiltration test(s) to determine
Who performs testing soil infiltration rate(s).
Testing and evaluation should be conducted by STEP 4: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
qualified professionals and technicians. These include Collect and analyze the data to select, site, and size
soil scientists, local regulators, design engineers, facilities in the development area.
and professional geologists. In addition, those
It’s possible that additional infiltration testing will
professionals involved with site development—
be needed after Step 4, since the designer may want
especially stormwater infrastructure and facilities—
to move a facility from a poorly infiltrating area to a
would benefit from seeing these tests in action,
better location. The number of infiltration tests for large
to help them understand site characteristics and
sites varies widely with jurisdictional requirements but
appropriately plan the site (LIDMM 2008).
is also impacted by the variability in soil conditions
Training sessions are also available in Oregon for across the site. In urban sites, where soils may have
homeowners and Master Gardeners wishing to install been disturbed a number of times over many years, soil
small residential facilities such as rain gardens. conditions may vary greatly over small distances. In any
case, test directly over or within close proximity to the
Safety measures proposed facility.
The LID Stormwater Manual Template for Western
Infiltration tests may require excavation and can be Oregon recommends one test per 10,000 square
potentially dangerous. Observe all relevant Occupational feet within large areas. Consult a licensed, qualified
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. geotechnical engineer to help identify soil uniformity
Secure and mark excavation sites, and notify appropriate and the appropriate number of tests.
authorities prior to beginning work (LIDMM 2008),
including the Oregon Utility Notification Center (call 811).
Check your local jurisdiction for additional requirements.
Presoaking
Before conducting a field test, you may need to
presoak the soil by adding water to the test pit prior
Process to taking measurements. How long you soak the soil
The infiltration testing process includes four steps: before measuring depends on the choice of LID facility
and environmental conditions.
STEP 1: BACKGROUND EVALUATION Infiltration rates vary with the moisture content of
Evaluate the site using published data such as soil the soil. Water added to dry soils will be absorbed and
and geological maps. One excellent online resource for conveyed through the soil column faster than water
soils is the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s added to already moist soils. In some regions of the

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country, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
requires presoaking prior to percolation testing
Percolation tests
for wastewater systems in order to simulate the A percolation test allows water to infiltrate,
constantly wet conditions that a septic field receiving correcting the final infiltration rate with an adjustment
regular wastewater flows would have to absorb. In factor. These tests are generally applicable to any
the rainy season in Oregon, presoaking may not be surface infiltration facility, but they are used by some
necessary. consultants for drywells in soils where a modified
During the dry season, presoak your test hole to percolation test isn’t feasible.
simulate an LID facility in wet soil that has already Two types of percolation tests, the falling head test
received rainfall. and the reduction factor test, are described below.
No one knows for sure how much presoaking
FALLING HEAD TEST
is needed to simulate soil infiltration rates during
the wettest month of the year; literature suggests The falling head test is one of the oldest and simplest
numerous values. Soil type may also impact presoaking methods, commonly used for designing septic fields.
duration. Consult a geotechnical engineer or soil It has been used successfully on LID projects for over
scientist for site-specific recommendations. 30 years by professionals in the field. The following
procedure is from the LID stormwater manual template
Types of tests for western Oregon (ODEQ 2016).
1. Dig a test hole with a post hole digger or a larger
Percolation, modified percolation, and double-ring area with a shovel. The area of the hole doesn’t
infiltrometer are three types of field tests used to matter. Dig a hole to the appropriate depth as
determine infiltration rates. In addition, a laboratory discussed above.
method relates sieve analysis results to an infiltration
rate. 2. Perform a ribbon test, as described on page 5, to
determine soil texture.
The Washington State Department of Ecology
(WSDOE) recommends the more extensive Pilot 3. If soils are clayey, scrape, or “scarify,” the sides of
Infiltration Test (PIT), when possible, because it the hole a little. Remove the scraped material from
provides the most accurate estimate of infiltration; the bottom of the hole and place an inch or so of
however, this test can take up to 17 hours, requires a clean gravel at the bottom; otherwise, the tiny clay
lot of water, and is rarely used in Oregon. Find more particles will be suspended in the water to follow
information on the Pilot Infiltration Test in Chapter and form an impermeable barrier (appearing as a
3 of the Stormwater Management Manual for Western sheen) around the sides and bottom of the hole.
Washington. 4. Push a pencil or nail
According to the WSDOE, both the double-ring into the side of the
infiltrometer test and percolation test overestimate hole from which to
infiltration rates (WSDOE 2005). Additionally, the measure the water
double-ring infiltrometer is an expensive piece of level drop over time.
equipment and is generally used only by geotechnical The height above the
professionals; however, a version made from parts bottom of the hole
found at a hardware store can be made to simulate (or gravel if included)
the tool. will determine the
The following tests yield an infiltration rate water level depth. Photo: Maria Cahill

Because water is so A nail marks the spot at the side

in inches per minute. Don’t forget to convert to
inches per hour, which is the industry standard heavy, deeper water of the hole from which testers
will result in faster measure the drop in water level.
for modeling and designing. Also, apply a factor of
safety or correction factor (often represented as FS overall infiltration
or CF) to the tested infiltration rate to arrive at a rates, so this is accounted for in the following:
design infiltration rate with a lower value than the Runoff prevention. Place the pencil or nail 6 inches
tested infiltration rate. This factor depends on site above the bottom of the hole.
conditions, expected levels of maintenance, and Runoff reduction. The depth of water should reflect
the type of facility. In some cases, designers choose the amount of water that might be ponded in a
not to use a factor of safety. Consult a geotechnical runoff reduction BMP. For instance, if the ponding
engineer or designer as well as your local depth will be 9 inches, then place the pencil or nail 9
jurisdictional engineering department to establish inches above the bottom of the hole. If the ponding
appropriate design infiltration rates for your project. depth is unknown, 6 inches is a conservative depth.

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 DETERMINE SOIL TEXTURE WITH A RIBBON TEST
To properly implement an infiltration facility, identify the approximate soil texture of your existing native
soils, which may range from more sandy to more clayey.
1. Take a handful of the soil you have excavated from your infiltration test. Pulverize it in your hand and
remove any bits of organic matter or obvious rocks.
2. Wet it with a small amount of water and rub it between your thumb and
index finger. Don’t saturate it until it is runny mud. You might feel stick-
iness, grittiness, or smoothness. The grittier the feel, the more sand is
present in your soil. The slicker the soil, the more clay in it. Smooth soils
are sometimes an indicator of a fine silt or loam. Discard the soil.
3. Next, take another sample in your hand. Wet it until it has the consis-
tency of dough. You should be able to form a ball that holds together with Photo: Gina Emanuel
the soil in your palm. If you cannot get the ball to form, then your soil is Step 3: Form a ball with soil.
very sandy. In most soils, however, you should be able to create a rough
ball.
4. Knead the soil between your thumb and fingers and attempt to form a
ribbon. As you build the ribbon, it will either hold together or break off.
5. Interpret your results.
•• If the soil forms a ribbon less than 1 inch in length before it breaks, the
soil is sandy or silty.
•• If the ribbon is 1 to 2 inches in length, the soil is clayey (that is, it has Photo: Gina Emanuel
some clay). Step 4: Kneed the soil and
•• If the ribbon is greater than 2 inches before it breaks, the soil is clay. attempt to form a ribbon.

5. Gently fill the hole with water to the top of the pencil 8. If testing is for porous pavement managing
or nail. Record the exact time you stop filling the hole direct rainfall only, skip to step 9. For rain
and the time it takes to drain completely. If soils are gardens, stormwater planters, and porous
fast draining, measure time down to the second. pavements managing runoff, if the slowest
infiltration rate measured is less than 0.5 inches
6. If testing during the rainy season and soils are per hour, then dig another hole nearby, but 3
saturated, go on to step 7. If testing during the dry to 6 inches deeper, and repeat steps 1 to 5 to
season and soils are dry, refill the hole again and see if there’s a faster-draining soil that could be
repeat steps 2 to 5 two more times. Averaging the overexcavated to. Repeat this process at various
results of the third test will give you the best measure depths down to another 2 feet, or until you have
of how quickly your soil absorbs water when it is fully at least 0.5 inches per hour infiltration. If you
saturated, as it would be during a rainy period of the can’t find a suitable area with an infiltration rate
year or during a series of storms that deliver a lot of of at least 0.5 inches per hour, infiltration BMPs
rainfall in a short period of time. Occasionally, due to must be designed and modeled by a qualified
water changing the soil structure, infiltration rates licensed engineer. Skip to step 10.
can increase over short time periods during the test.
But on average, the infiltration rate should generally 9. For porous pavements that infiltrate rainfall, if
decrease with each round. the slowest infiltration rate measured is less than
0.3 inches per hour, consider relocating the porous
7. To calculate the infiltration rate, divide the pavement to a faster-draining soil. If this is not
distance that the water dropped by the amount of possible and the infiltration rate below the porous
time it took for it to drop. For example, if the water pavement managing rainfall only is less than
dropped 6 inches in 12 hours, then 6 divided by 12 0.3 inches per hour, then the porous pavement must
equals 0.5 inches per hour. be modeled by a qualified licensed engineer.

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10. Confirm vertical separation.
Meet these two conditions for vertical separation:
•• After infiltration testing is complete, dig the hole
another 2 feet of depth from the bottom of the
BMP (the elevation where water will begin to
pond) to uncover bedrock or other impermeable
subsurface layers, such as compacted ash, that may
impede infiltration. If the soil is pretty consistent
all the way down then one criteria for vertical
separation is met.
•• If testing during the winter, dig the hole 1 foot
deeper to discover groundwater. If water doesn’t
seep into the hole, then groundwater is sufficiently
deep and the second vertical separation criteria
is met. If not testing during the winter, hire a
registered soil scientist, licensed geotechnical
engineer, registered geologist, or other qualified
licensed professional to assist with assessing the
depth of the seasonal high groundwater table.
Refill the hole and leave the site in a safe condition.
Work to prevent tripping hazards.

REDUCTION FACTOR METHOD

PERCOLATION TEST
Site preparation: In an area in or near the proposed
stormwater facility, excavate evenly a hole 6 to 10
inches in diameter to the elevation of the bottom of
the proposed facility (typically 8 to 12 inches deep).
This is most easily done with a posthole digger but can Photos: Maria Cahill

be done by hand. Because the digging process tends The hole for this percolation test at a proposed rain garden site
to consolidate the sides of the hole and this testing was dug by hand with a shovel and a posthole digger. Water is
procedure readjusts the infiltration rate to account added carefully (top) to prevent the hole from caving in and the
for water flows through the sides of the facility, sides and bottom from eroding. Testers then measure the drop in
scratch the bottom and sides of the soil surfaces with water level (bottom).
a sharp tool. Measure and record this diameter for
final calculations. Remove excess soils resulting from
clay and sand, the clay particles can easily be suspended
scratching the soil (LIDMM 2008).
in the presoaking water and clog, “or cement up,” the
Water added during the test can also cause scouring sides of the facility. These soils may also cave—an
and clogging of pores. To prevent these problems, place indication to seek out another location on the site,
2 inches of coarse sand or fine gravel in the bottom of since these soils will likely fail in the same way once an
the hole (LIDMM 2008) and pour water carefully so that infiltration facility is built over them.
it doesn’t hit the sides of the hole.
Testing: Refill the hole to the marked water depth,
Presoaking: Before beginning the infiltration test, which should approximately equal the expected ponding
presoak the test area for an hour in total, and establish depth of the proposed facility. Filling to a water depth that
a measurement interval time. Measure at least 6 inches exceeds the proposed ponding depth will skew results
above the soil surface in the pit and mark this level with since pressure due to the additional depth of water,
a nail, stake, or pencil. Fill the hole with water to the known as “head,” will increase the infiltration rate. Using
marker level. Keep filling the hole as needed to maintain the established interval times and from a fixed reference,
the approximately 6-inch water depth for the next measure and record the drop in water level. After each
30 minutes (LIDMM 2008). recording, stop the timer, refill the pit to the marker
In the last 30 minutes of the soaking hour, do not add level and restart the timer. When eight readings have
water. If the pit contains no water after the 30 minutes, been collected, or when the drop in water level stabilizes
use a 10-minute measurement interval for testing. (when the highest and lowest measurement within four
If water remains in the pit, use a 30-minute interval consecutive readings is no more than a ¼-inch difference),
(LIDMM 2008). In Oregon, where soil is a mixture of no more measurements are required (LIDMM 2008).

6
 Design infiltration rate: Determine the field
infiltration rate, referred to below as the percolation
rate, by averaging the measurements taken during
the stabilized rate period, expressed in inches per
hour (LIDMM 2008). Use this equation to correct for
horizontal water infiltration:
Design infiltration rate = (percolation rate)/(reduction factor)
where:
Percolation rate is calculated from the measurements
taken during the stabilized rate period.
Reduction factor (Rf) = ((2d1 - ∆d)/(DIA)) + 1
where:
d1 = Initial water depth (in)
∆d = Percolation rate (average water level drop) (in)
DIA = Diameter of the percolation hole (in)
The reduction factor will vary depending on hole size.
Wider and shallower tests have lower reduction factors
because proportionately less water is absorbed by the
soil on the surrounding sides. The percolation test
assumes that there is uniform soil across the surface of
the pit, and water depth affects the percolation rate. If
these assumptions are not true for your site, consider
using additional adjustments (LIDMM 2008).

Modified percolation testing

In one alternative to open hole percolation testing,
a 6-inch solid pipe is driven into native soils until it is
properly seated to form a seal. Presoaking and testing Photo: Alder Geotechnical

guidelines should be performed as discussed above, but A double-ring infiltrometer with optional measuring beakers.
in this case, water is only infiltrating out the bottom of
the pipe and no reduction factor is needed to adjust for
hole depth and diameter. The geotechnical engineer or Double-ring infiltrometer test
soil scientist may still recommend a factor of safety for In a double-ring infiltrometer test the vertical
other variables. infiltration rate is isolated. Since water moves out
Testing deep soils for drywells: Drywells are good through the sides of a facility as fast as through the
candidates for the modified percolation testing bottom in most cases, this test is good for facilities
method. First, excavate the first few feet. Then, a such as rain gardens that primarily infiltrate through
deeper hole can be hand augered, machine drilled, or the bottom. However, this test may underestimate
backhoed with a clamshell to the proposed bottom of infiltration rates from facilities such as soakage trenches
the drywell. A solid pipe can then be seated and used and drywells.
for testing. Since a drywell is vertical, pressure builds An inner ring is used to measure water drop over
as the depth of the water increases, causing more time, and an outer ring minimizes lateral water
water to be pushed out the sides. This phenomenon, movement from the inner ring. The test can be
known as pressure head, plays a more prominent performed at different depths, but the rings must
role in dictating drywell infiltration rates than it does penetrate at least 2 inches below the ground surface.
for other facilities. Some consultants choose to test At least 6 inches of both cylinders must be above the
conservatively by using floats to maintain no more surface. (The cylinder should be a minimum of 8 inches
than 12 inches of water; others use a depth of water high.) If the proposed infiltration facility will pond
that’s convenient for them to test while they stand water to a depth greater than 6 inches, taller rings will
at the surface (but that depth should not exceed the be needed to simulate the greater depth. Test kits can
depth of water that will actually be accumulating in be purchased or fashioned with supplies found at most
the drywell during large storms). local hardware stores (LIDMM 2008).

7
 The double-ring infiltrometer test measures the stop the timer, refill the rings and restart the timer.
infiltration rate of a very small and specific area. Multiple When eight readings have been collected or the water
measurements at different areas of the site may be level drop stabilizes (when the highest and lowest
needed to properly assess suitability (PSAT 2005). measurement within four consecutive readings is no
more than a ¼-inch difference), no more measurements
Supplies are required (LIDMM 2008).
•• Two impermeable cylinders. The inner ring should be
no smaller than 4 inches in diameter and equal to 50 Design infiltration rate: Determine the infiltration
to 70 percent of the outer ring diameter. For example, rate of the test area by averaging the measurements
an 8-inch inner ring with a 12-inch outer ring. taken during the stabilized rate. This should be
expressed in inches per hour (LIDMM 2008).
•• Water source
•• Timer
•• Measuring device (ruler, measuring tape)
Laboratory testing
•• Flat wooden board that covers diameter of cylinders. Infiltration rates are directly related to a soil’s grain size
This will be used to push the cylinders into the ground. distribution, which is the range and percentage of soil
•• Rubber mallet particle diameters. Soils with small grains such as clays
and silts will drain slower than soils with large grains
•• Log sheets and writing utensil or computer
such as sands and gravels. In particular, the percentage
The City of Portland requires that the double-ring of clay, which expands as it soaks up sizable amounts
infiltrometer test follow ASTM 3385-94 standards of water, reduces infiltration rates. Silts, which may
(PSMM 2016). However, many municipalities require be the same size as clay, can actually have relatively
modified versions of ASTM which often take less time. high infiltration rates. Field testing in pockets of silt
Check with your local jurisdiction for appropriate in Washington County, Oregon, have yielded results
procedures. Basic steps are described below. between 20 and 45 inches per hour, while clay and clay
Site preparation: In an area in or near the proposed silts in other parts of the county infiltrate at 0.5 inches
site, excavate to the depth of the bottom of the per hour.
proposed facility. Washington State Department of Ecology has
Evenly drive the larger outer ring at least 2 inches developed two methods that correlate grain size
into the ground by setting the flat wooden board atop distribution to infiltration rates: the USDA Soil Textural
the cylinder and firmly striking it with the rubber mallet Classification and ASTM Gradation Testing at Full
(LIDMM 2008). Make sure at least 6 inches of the Scale Infiltration Facilities. Because the ASTM method
cylinder is above the ground. has been calibrated to full-scale infiltration testing
Center the inner ring within the outer ring and of existing LID facilities, we’ll discuss this method
follow the same procedure as above with the wooden briefly here. For more information on both methods,
board and mallet. Make sure the bottoms of both rings see Volume 3, “Hydrologic Analysis and Flow Control
(underground) are at the same depth (LIDMM 2008). Design/BMPs” of the Stormwater Management Manual
You can test different depths or strata by excavating a for Western Washington.
pit area, but make sure the rings are easily accessible To determine the infiltration rate of a soil using this
and water can easily be added over a period of hours. method, collect a representative sample. (The sample
is expected to have the same grain size distribution
Presoaking: Before beginning the infiltration test, as the soil left in place.) Different soils may require
presoak the test area and establish a measurement different volumes of soil to gather a representative
interval time. To presoak the area, fill the inner and sample. Send the sample to a soil testing lab and
outer rings to the brim or water level mark. Keep the request an ASTM D422 procedure. The lab will dry the
water level above 4 inches for 30 minutes. At the end of soil out and run a series of tests on it, including a sieve
30 minutes completely refill the rings. analysis to assess the volume of the soil’s smallest 10
Measure the water depth in the inner ring and wait percent particles, or D10. See the table and graphic
another 30 minutes. Measure the water depth again to on page 9 for guidelines on determining long-term
determine the drop in water level. If equal or greater to infiltration rates for soils of specific particle sizes.
2 inches, use 10-minute intervals. If less than 2 inches,
Since these infiltration recommendations represent
use a 30-minute interval (LIDMM 2008).
long-term design infiltration rates and not field-tested
Testing: Fill the rings to the brim or water level. infiltration rates, no factor of safety is needed unless
Using the established interval times and from a fixed there is no pretreatment system for sediments, less than
reference, measure and record the water level drop in average maintenance is expected, or soil horizons are
the inner ring at each interval. After each recording, finely layered.

8
 Long-term infiltration rates for soils References and resources
with D10 greater than 0.05mm
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).
D10 size from ASTM D422 soil Estimated long-term (design) 2016. Low-impact Development in Western Oregon: A
gradation test (mm) infiltration rate (inches/hour)
Practical Guide for Watershed Health. www.oregon.
≥ 0.4 9 gov/deq/wq/tmdls/Pages/TMDLs-LID.aspx
0.3 6.5
0.2 3.5 Puget Sound Action Team (PSAT) and Washington State
0.1 2.0 University Pierce County Extension. 2005. Low Impact
0.05 0.8 Development: Technical Guidance Manual for Puget
Sound. Publication No. PSAT 05-03. Olympia, WA.
Long-term infiltration rates Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. 2008. Low
for soils with D10 less than 0.5mm Impact Development Manual for Michigan: A design
100.00
guide for implementers and reviewers. Detroit, MI.
Upperbound: Good influent
control and long-term Washington State Department of Ecology (WSDOE)
maintenance, moderate Water Quality Program. 2005. Stormwater
10.00
depth to ground water Management in Western Washington: Volume III:
Hydrologic Analysis and Flow Control Design/BMPs.
Infiltration rate (inches/hour)

Pub. No. 05-10-31. Olympia, WA.

1.00
0.50 Washington State Department of Transportation
(WSDOT). 2008. Highway Runoff Manual. Publication
0.10 Lowerbound: Poor influent control and No. M 31-16.01. Olympia, WA,.
long-term maintenance, fine layering,
shallow depth to ground water Washington State Department of Transportation.
0.01 (n.d.). Stormwater Research—Reports. Retrieved Feb
0.001 0.01 0.1 1
2009. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Environment/
D10 (mm)
Mean values represent low gradient conditions, relatively shallow ponds. WaterQuality/Research/Reports.htm
Note: Scale is logarithmic.

Recommended characteristic rates from Stormwater

Management Manual for Western Washington, 2001
Measured from infiltrometer tests at beginning of study,
taken 1 foot below pond bottom (short-term)
Measured long-term infiltration rates
Measured long-term infiltration rates (fine layering,
surface clogging)
Source: Stormwater Management for Western Washington, WSDOE 2005

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University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without support for this
discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity fact sheet was
(including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/ made possible
parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, genetic through the
information, veteran’s status, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all USDA Forest
prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Oregon State University Extension Service is an AA/ Service
EOE/Veterans/Disabled. Western Competitive
Grant Project.
Published August 2018.