The measurement and description of water flow through Columbia silt loam and Hesperia sandy loam

Experimental data are presented for water entering air-dry soils in the horizontal and vertical position. All soils were wet with water below atmospheric pressure. The ability of a frequently used mathematical equation to describe the soil water movement is examined for several boundary conditions. The mathematical assumptions and their physical reality are discussed. A method of measuring the unsaturated capillary conductivity is presented.