The present work derives a general analytical solution to the problem of steady unsaturated flow in hillslopes. The geometry of the domain consists of either a semi-infinite medium or a finite area contained between two parallel sloping planes with a prescribed flux boundary condition at the top and at the bottom. The top boundary condition models rainfall infiltration while the bottom boundary condition models either an impermeable or a semipermeable underlying layer if the leakage flux is known a priori. Particular solutions for point, line, strip, and rectangle source configurations at the sloping land surface are presented. The numerical results for the strip and rectangle source solution show the effect of the slope, impermeable base, and soil type on the distribution of the pressure and flux in the domain. In particular, the three-dimensional rectangular source solution displays the interaction between the slope, soil characteristics, and the point of maximum potential at which the saturation of the soil begins. |