ABSTRACT
Rainfall simulators are research tools designed to apply water in a form similar to natural rainstorms. Researchers can measure hydrologic or soil erosion characteristics of newly developed cropping and management practices in a relatively short time. The drop formers that produce the simulated raindrops are the key components of rainfall simulators. A researcher should ensure that adequate personnel, supplementary equipment, and sufficient time and facilities to process samples and data are available before constructing or otherwise acquiring a rainfall simulator. Because the water usually must be pumped from the source to the rainfall simulator, pumps and hoses of sufficient size are necessary to deliver water at the required pressure and quantity. Equipment is needed to measure runoff rates and to sample runoff for sediment concentration. The sides and tops of rainfall simulator plots must be accurately delineated by a barrier or border, just as for plots tested under natural rainfall.
