OVERLAND FLOW

(1) The flow of rainwater or snowmelt over the land surface toward stream channels. (2) (Water Quality) The discharge of wastewater in such a way that it flows over a defined land area prior to entering a receiving stream. The movement over vegetated land fosters the removal of plant nutrients from the wastewater and constitutes a form of Tertiary Wastewater Treatment. After it enters a stream, it becomes Runoff.