sheet flow

Water, usually storm runoff, flowing in a thin layer over the ground surface (Soil Conservation Society of America, 1982).

The topographic movement of a thin film of water from precipitation to lower elevations. With time, this water will begin to organizing its flow into small channels called rills. The rills converge to form progressively larger channels until stream channels are formed. Occurs when the infiltration capacity of an area's soil has been exceeded. Also called sheet flow or runoff.