Soil loss estimation through MUSLE using Kirpich and Williams times of concentration using RS and GIS techniques: a case study

Abstract

Water is one of the most vital requirements for sustenance of life. Water, along with soil, is the most essential natural resource for economic and social development. A study of soil and water dynamics at a watershed level can facilitate a scientific approach toward their conservation and management. The present study is an attempt to apply the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) along with the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method for runoff estimation and comparison of soil loss estimates for the catchments of Baindur Hole and Yedamavina Hole in the Udupi District of Karnataka State, India, obtained by times of concentration calculated by the Kirpich equation and the Williams equation. The base map and thematic maps were prepared using Indian Remote Sensing satellite 1C (IRS-1C) LISS-III (Linear Imaging Self-Scanning Sensor) image for land use/land cover and from Survey of India topo sheet in a GIS environment for overlaying and extraction of results. The time of concentration estimated by the Kirpich formula is lower in all cases; hence, the corresponding soil loss is 1.4 times higher than that determined with Williams formula. Catchments 23 and 17 with a lower drainage length show comparatively higher values of soil loss in case of the Williams equation, which can be attributed to the greater importance of drainage length in the equation.