Articles | Volume 21, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3221-2017
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3221-2017
Research article
 | 
30 Jun 2017
Research article |  | 30 Jun 2017

Slope–velocity equilibrium and evolution of surface roughness on a stony hillslope

Mark A. Nearing, Viktor O. Polyakov, Mary H. Nichols, Mariano Hernandez, Li Li, Ying Zhao, and Gerardo Armendariz

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Cited articles

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Short summary
This study presents novel scientific understanding about the way that hillslope surfaces form when exposed to rainfall erosion, and the way those surfaces interact with and influence runoff velocities during rain events. The data show that hillslope surfaces form such that flow velocities are independent of slope gradient and dependent on flow rates alone. This result represents a shift in thinking about surface water runoff.