Infiltration experiments with intensities varying from 4.1 x 10−6to 2.8 x 10−5m s−1were conducted on a column of undisturbed soil. Flow was investigated using kinematic wave theory. The approach was first applied to the drainage curve of outflow. In this case, preferential flow occurred during intermediate infiltration rates. The approach was further applied to soil moisture variations at three depths of the column. The wetting front dispersion increased with depth according to the analysis of mobile soil moisture contributing to total flow, whereas the analysis of mobile soil moisture contributing to rapid flow indicated flow through macropores. The kinematic wave model simulates reasonably well both measured drainage of outflow and of soil moisture. A simple method was used to separate mobile soil moisture contributing to rapid flow and that contributing to diffusive flow. The validity of the model was evaluated by water balance comparison, with particular attention given to the distinction between the two types of soil moisture.