Precipitation as Part of the Water Budget

Portage County receives an average of 31 inches of rain and snowmelt per year.  In the sand plain and sandy glacial drift areas, 1-2 inches of this precipitation becomes direct runoff, and the remaining 29-30 inches infiltrates into the ground.  Of this, 20-22 inches evapotranspire and 10-11 inches becomes groundwater.  For the northwest part of the County, which is comprised of  silt and clay soils, 6-8 inches becomes direct runoff, and the remaining 23-25 inches infiltrates into the ground.  Of this, 20-22 inches evapotranspire and 1-4 inches becomes groundwater.^{4, 7, 8}  

"Precipitation in the form of rain and melting snow is the only significant source of recharge to groundwater in Portage County. ⁴" 

To learn more about precipitation and runoff, click here.

(Italicized words defined in the glossary.)

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