Comparison of common methods to quantify field saturated hydraulic conductivity in glacial till soils of Northeastern United States

Characterizing field‐saturated hydraulic conductivity ( K fs ) in soil is important because K fs data are needed for a variety of applications. However, different K fs measurement methods often yield vastly different results. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of five methods to detect variations in measured K fs across land use in glacial till soils. We compared the lab intact core method with four in‐field methods, including the compact constant head well permeameter (Amoozemeter) and three single‐ring infiltrometers: Cornell sprinkle infiltrometer, dual‐head infiltrometer (SATURO), and a consistent head single‐ring infiltrometer. Ten plots were established along a transect in six field sites with varying land uses (forest, corn [ Zea mays L.], hay, vegetable, and turf). One measurement was taken per plot for each method. Overall, K fs estimates from the Amoozemeter were consistently lower than those from field infiltrometers. All methods revealed higher surface K fs in the forest than the intensively cultivated sites; however, the Amoozemeter and the ring‐based methods revealed different K fs patterns among managed sites. Despite differences in water application procedures, the field infiltrometers produced similar K fs estimates, suggesting their interchangeability in applications for assessing land use and management impacts on surface K fs in glacial till soils.