Abstract. The inundation of flood-prone areas varies in space and time and can have crucial impacts on runoff generation and water quality when the surface saturated areas become connected to the stream. In this study, we aimed to investigate and explain the variability of surface saturation patterns and dynamics within a forested headwater catchment. On the one hand, we mapped surface saturation in seven distinct riparian areas of the Weierbach catchment (Luxembourg) with thermal infrared images, taken weekly to bi-weekly over a period of two years. On the other hand, we simulated the surface saturation generation in the catchment with the integrated surface subsurface hydrologic model HydroGeoSphere over the same period. Both the observations and simulations showed that the saturation dynamics were similar across the catchment, but that small differences between the dynamics at different areas occurred. Moreover, the model reproduced the observed saturation patterns well for all seasonal and hydrologic conditions and at all investigated locations. Based on the observations and simulation results and the matches and mismatches between them, we concluded that the generation of surface saturation in the Weierbach catchment was largely controlled by exfiltration of groundwater into local depressions. However, we also illustrate that the entire variability of the patterns, dynamics and frequencies of surface saturation within the different riparian areas of the catchment can only result from additional controlling factors to microtopography and groundwater exfiltration, such as differing hysteretic behaviour, differing subsurface structures, or additional water sources.