Relationship Between Slope Position and Ksat in Loess Veneered Landscapes, MLRA 115 and 120.

Studies of saturated soil hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) across catenas are not abundant and have yielded conflicting results. The objective of this study was to evaluate Ksat across landscape positions (summit, shoulder, backslope, footslope, toeslope) and land use in soils with similar parent materials. Six catenas under grassland (3) and forested (3) land uses in Major Land Resource Areas 115 and 120 were characterized and analyzed by particle size analysis and bulk density as part of the Shawnee Hills Project. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was determined in-situ using a compact constant head permeameter on selected soil horizons (surface, top of argillic, fragipan - if present - and lower argillic horizon). The Ksat was highest in the surface horizon and lowest in the fragipan and deep argillic horizons.  There was a significant difference between the Ksat in the surface, top of argillic and other horizons, however the fragipan horizons and deep argillic horizons were not significantly different.  Although there were significant differences in Ksat between soil horizons there was not a significant difference in Ksat among slope positions for the same soil horizon.