A model of dunnian flow at hillslope scale

The development of a thin stream above the soil surface (overland flow) is associated to two mechanism of runoff generation on the hillslope: the infiltration excess (hortonian flow) and saturation excess (dunnian flow) mechanism. The first one is typical of arid and semi-arid regions, usually characterised by high rainfall intensities on soil exhibiting low permeability. The second one, firstly introduced by Hewlett and Hibbert, constitutes the main mechanism of runoff generation in humid regions, characterised by high groundwater table. In the last mechanism runoff is produced by contributing areas of restricted extent that expands with time, where near to the bottom of the hillslope a hi…