# Throughflow

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In [hydrology](/source/Hydrology), **throughflow**, a subtype of [interflow](/source/Interflow) (percolation), is the lateral unsaturated flow of [water](/source/Water) in the [soil](/source/Soil) zone, typically through a highly permeable geologic unit overlying a less permeable one. Water thus returns to the surface, as [return flow](/source/Return_flow), before or on entering a stream or groundwater.[1][2] Once water infiltrates into the soil, it is still affected by [gravity](/source/Gravity) and infiltrates to the [water table](/source/Water_table) or if permeability varies laterally travels downslope.[1] Throughflow usually occurs during peak hydrologic events (such as high precipitation). Flow rates are dependent on the [hydraulic conductivity](/source/Hydraulic_conductivity) of the geologic medium.[1]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Fetter,_2009_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Fetter,_2009_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Fetter,_2009_1-2) Fetter, C. (2001). *Applied Hydrogeology*. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. p. 41. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0130882399](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0130882399).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Selby,_2005_2-0)** Selby, M. (2005). *Hillslope Materials and Processes*. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 216. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0198741839](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0198741839).

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