Computer programs for calculating soil loss on a watershed basis

Abstract

A series of computer programs designed to predict gross annual soil loss on a watershed basis by application of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) have been developed. The programs provide an easy-to-use, flexible, and standardized means of organizing base data and applying the USLE to large land areas. The programs can be used to assess and to evaluate the effects of changing land-use patterns and conservation practices on soil losses. Critical or problem areas can be readily identified. The USLE Computer Programs are a useful research tool for investigators involved in water quality management, 208 planning, or conservation research. The package of computer programs consists of three main components: data input, the Main Program, and the Totals Program. Input data include both field base data describing the watershed and corresponding values for the factors in the USLE. The Main Program calculates the average rate of soil loss (tons/ acre/yr) and the total soil loss (tons/yr) for the smallest subunit of the watershed identified as the soil unit. Also calculated is an RKLS factor, which is an indication of the erosive potential of a given soil type, slope, and slope length, under a particular rainfall regime. The Totals Program aggregates soil unit losses into progressively larger units, that is, field, farm, subwatershed, and watershed units. An example of the programs' versatility and use is presented.