Surface Storage Factor

[Jim]

Can someone elaborate on the "Surface Storage Factor" parameter under the "Site Parameters" tab? In the manual, it reads:

Surface Storage Factor (0-1) is essentially the total amount of ponded water not occupied by vegetation. For example, a value of 0.98 assumes that 2% of above ground space is occupied by vegetation. Dense emergent vegetation may occupy up to 5% of the above ground space.

Initially, I assumed the "amount" occupied referred to area. For example, a wetland with 100% vegetation cover (from a 2-dimensional, plan-view perspective) would have a Surface Storage Factor of zero (0). But that last sentence suggesting dense emergent vegetation may occupy up to 5% of the above ground space indicates they may be referring to 3-dimensional space. Is this correct? This parameter can change the output pretty dramatically.

Thanks in advance!

[Tess Thompson]

Jim,

The Surface Storage Factor is the fraction of the volume above the wetland bed (i.e. air space) that is available to store water.  If there is no vegetation, then it is 1.00.  If you have dense, herbaceous vegetation, it can be as low as 0.95.  Another way to look at this factor is that it is the "porosity" of your aboveground vegetation.

I hope that helps.

Tess

Tess Thompson, PhD

Associate Professor

Turner Fellow of Engineering

Assistant Department Head for Undergraduate Studies                               

Biological Systems Engineering        

213 Seitz Hall, Virginia Tech

 

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