On what type of slopes is the rate of runoff typically higher?

The rate of runoff is typically higher on steeper slopes due to the gravitational force exerting a stronger influence on water movement. On steep slopes, water flows more quickly downhill because there is less friction and less surface area for the water to spread out on. This fast movement can lead to less infiltration, which means that more water runs off the surface rather than soaking into the ground.

On gentle slopes, water has more opportunity to infiltrate the soil, resulting in a slower runoff rate. Flat land tends to promote water pooling and percolation into the soil, which also reduces runoff. Terraced slopes, while designed to control water flow, typically provide an engineered approach to managing runoff on inclined surfaces, often resulting in reduced direct runoff compared to natural steep slopes. Therefore, the characteristics of steeper slopes inherently lead to higher rates of runoff.