The land use change affects the surface water run off deeply. For instance - A forest receiving high rainfall, will generate low surface water runoff as the plants and trees will obstruct the free flowing water. Along with this the land will also absorb a large amount of water there by reducing its flow volume.
Now in case if forest land is turned into a residential area, then the land will be covered by roads and buildings and there will be no water absorption by land. Thus, the surface water runoff will increase.
I think a change of land use can alter heat distribution patterns and surface water runoff. Surface runoff is water, from rain, snow melt, or other sources of water, that flows over the land surface, and is the major component of water cycle. The change of land use may alter surface water run off that occurs on surfaces before reaching a channel.
