- The document analyzes average annual soil loss in the Sevenmile Creek watershed located in southern Iowa using the modified soil loss equation (RUSLE).
- Key factors that influence soil loss according to the RUSLE include rainfall/runoff (R factor), soil erodibility (K factor), slope length and steepness (LS factor), land cover/management practices (C factor), and conservation practices (P factor).
- GIS data on rainfall, soil properties, elevation, land cover, and watershed boundaries were compiled and analyzed spatially using RUSLE to estimate average annual soil loss per acre for the Sevenmile Creek watershed.
StreamFlow Variability of 21 Watersheds, OregonDonnych Diaz
This study analyzed the relationship between streamflow runoff and physical attributes in 21 Oregon watersheds. Monthly streamflow data from 1958-2008 was collected and watershed characteristics like elevation, slope, aspect and land cover were determined. A multiple regression model found land cover, elevation and aspect significantly correlated with winter streamflow, but not summer flow. This suggests precipitation is important and the model needs additional variables like soil and snowpack to better predict streamflow runoff.
This document summarizes a study that used GIS techniques to model spatial variation in rainfall runoff erosivity (R-factor) in the Nzoia River basin in Western Kenya. Rainfall and erosion data were collected from 14 stations in the basin. R-factor values, which represent the ability of rainfall to cause soil erosion, ranged from 339.39 to 855.00 MJ mmha-1year-1. Higher R-factor values occurred in the middle to lower basin, likely due to relief rainfall from nearby hills and mountains. The study found significant spatial variation in R-factor across the basin and concluded that accounting for this variation is important to understand soil erosion risk.
Coastal Landcover Trends & Applications in the NWEric Morris
This document discusses the Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP), a NOAA program that produces land cover and change information for coastal regions of the United States. C-CAP creates national land cover maps every 5 years using remote sensing and updates coastal areas of the National Land Cover Database. It focuses on detailed mapping of wetland areas. The document outlines the history of C-CAP mapping efforts, describes the land cover classes mapped, and provides an example of analyzing land cover change between 1996-2010 in a coastal region where development increased by 8,887 square miles and forest and wetlands decreased slightly. It also demonstrates tools for analyzing high resolution C-CAP data and land cover change over time at local scales.
This study aimed to assess groundwater resources in the Middle East and North Africa region. It estimated total groundwater reserves in the region to be 1.28 million km3, with the majority located in the large sedimentary basins of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Between 2003 and 2014, groundwater storage declined in 8 of the 16 countries analyzed, including Algeria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. However, overall changes were small relative to total reserves, and did not pose an immediate threat. The study integrated multiple datasets on depth to water, sediment thickness, lithology, and porosity to develop distributed groundwater reserve and storage change estimates for each country.
- Retrospective model simulations from 1987-2010 indicate that on average glacier melt represented 31% of annual discharge from the Zongo River watershed, increasing up to 90% during dry years.
- Analysis of CMIP5 climate model outputs project increases in high altitude air temperatures throughout the year, with the highest increases of 3-4 degrees in winter months by 2100.
- Initial future simulations indicate glacier melt will both increase and decrease seasonally in the near future, but decline throughout the entire year in the latter half of the 21st century as glaciers recede.
- This coupled glacio-hydrological modeling approach demonstrates potential as a tool for predicting watershed processes and uncertainties in glaciated areas under climate
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON MELTING GLACIERS USING RS & GISAbhiram Kanigolla
Remote sensing and GIS techniques are effective methods for mapping and monitoring glaciers and the impacts of climate change. Two case studies are summarized in the document. The first case study monitors the Gangotri glacier in India using satellite imagery and finds a 6% reduction in glacier area between 1962 and 2006. The second case study analyzes satellite images of Mount Suphan glacier in Turkey and determines that the glacier area decreased from 1.2 km2 to 0.33 km2 between 1977 and 2000, with climatic factors like increasing minimum temperatures contributing to the recession.
The document discusses a watershed modeling system called BCube that aims to decrease the effort of watershed initialization by brokering various global geospatial and environmental data required for watershed modeling. BCube allows researchers to focus on scientific research by providing a single access point to the different data formats and sources for elevation, soils, land use, weather, and other data needed to set up and run watershed models. The document provides an overview of the types of data BCube can broker and the workflow where a scientist requests data for a watershed area and BCube returns the available options to choose from.
This document summarizes a study analyzing sedimentation in Thatipudi Reservoir using remote sensing and GIS. The study:
1) Estimated sediment volume through field surveys, finding 51.84 million cubic feet deposited. A 3D DEM analysis estimated 63 million cubic feet.
2) Analyzed land use/cover change from 1973-2011 through satellite image classification, finding deforestation in 1988-1990 increased sediment.
3) Mapped the reservoir's drainage pattern in 2005 and 2011 using GIS.
StreamFlow Variability of 21 Watersheds, OregonDonnych Diaz
This study analyzed the relationship between streamflow runoff and physical attributes in 21 Oregon watersheds. Monthly streamflow data from 1958-2008 was collected and watershed characteristics like elevation, slope, aspect and land cover were determined. A multiple regression model found land cover, elevation and aspect significantly correlated with winter streamflow, but not summer flow. This suggests precipitation is important and the model needs additional variables like soil and snowpack to better predict streamflow runoff.
This document summarizes a study that used GIS techniques to model spatial variation in rainfall runoff erosivity (R-factor) in the Nzoia River basin in Western Kenya. Rainfall and erosion data were collected from 14 stations in the basin. R-factor values, which represent the ability of rainfall to cause soil erosion, ranged from 339.39 to 855.00 MJ mmha-1year-1. Higher R-factor values occurred in the middle to lower basin, likely due to relief rainfall from nearby hills and mountains. The study found significant spatial variation in R-factor across the basin and concluded that accounting for this variation is important to understand soil erosion risk.
Coastal Landcover Trends & Applications in the NWEric Morris
This document discusses the Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP), a NOAA program that produces land cover and change information for coastal regions of the United States. C-CAP creates national land cover maps every 5 years using remote sensing and updates coastal areas of the National Land Cover Database. It focuses on detailed mapping of wetland areas. The document outlines the history of C-CAP mapping efforts, describes the land cover classes mapped, and provides an example of analyzing land cover change between 1996-2010 in a coastal region where development increased by 8,887 square miles and forest and wetlands decreased slightly. It also demonstrates tools for analyzing high resolution C-CAP data and land cover change over time at local scales.
This study aimed to assess groundwater resources in the Middle East and North Africa region. It estimated total groundwater reserves in the region to be 1.28 million km3, with the majority located in the large sedimentary basins of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Between 2003 and 2014, groundwater storage declined in 8 of the 16 countries analyzed, including Algeria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. However, overall changes were small relative to total reserves, and did not pose an immediate threat. The study integrated multiple datasets on depth to water, sediment thickness, lithology, and porosity to develop distributed groundwater reserve and storage change estimates for each country.
- Retrospective model simulations from 1987-2010 indicate that on average glacier melt represented 31% of annual discharge from the Zongo River watershed, increasing up to 90% during dry years.
- Analysis of CMIP5 climate model outputs project increases in high altitude air temperatures throughout the year, with the highest increases of 3-4 degrees in winter months by 2100.
- Initial future simulations indicate glacier melt will both increase and decrease seasonally in the near future, but decline throughout the entire year in the latter half of the 21st century as glaciers recede.
- This coupled glacio-hydrological modeling approach demonstrates potential as a tool for predicting watershed processes and uncertainties in glaciated areas under climate
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON MELTING GLACIERS USING RS & GISAbhiram Kanigolla
Remote sensing and GIS techniques are effective methods for mapping and monitoring glaciers and the impacts of climate change. Two case studies are summarized in the document. The first case study monitors the Gangotri glacier in India using satellite imagery and finds a 6% reduction in glacier area between 1962 and 2006. The second case study analyzes satellite images of Mount Suphan glacier in Turkey and determines that the glacier area decreased from 1.2 km2 to 0.33 km2 between 1977 and 2000, with climatic factors like increasing minimum temperatures contributing to the recession.
The document discusses a watershed modeling system called BCube that aims to decrease the effort of watershed initialization by brokering various global geospatial and environmental data required for watershed modeling. BCube allows researchers to focus on scientific research by providing a single access point to the different data formats and sources for elevation, soils, land use, weather, and other data needed to set up and run watershed models. The document provides an overview of the types of data BCube can broker and the workflow where a scientist requests data for a watershed area and BCube returns the available options to choose from.
This document summarizes a study analyzing sedimentation in Thatipudi Reservoir using remote sensing and GIS. The study:
1) Estimated sediment volume through field surveys, finding 51.84 million cubic feet deposited. A 3D DEM analysis estimated 63 million cubic feet.
2) Analyzed land use/cover change from 1973-2011 through satellite image classification, finding deforestation in 1988-1990 increased sediment.
3) Mapped the reservoir's drainage pattern in 2005 and 2011 using GIS.
The document discusses the need for high resolution digital elevation data to identify critical areas for targeting conservation practices in Minnesota. Precision conservation, which focuses practices on disproportionately polluting areas, can better protect water quality and habitat than spreading practices evenly. Lidar data can help identify critical sources of runoff and pollution like upland depressions, eroding stream banks, and ravines. Targeting best management practices to these critical areas identified through terrain analysis of high resolution elevation data can maximize the impact of conservation efforts.
Contributions of Satellite Images in the Diachronic Study of the Stanley-Pool...INFOGAIN PUBLICATION
With increased population now days, there is a marked change in morphology of the land when it comes the analysis of space images (satellite) using remote sensing. This study covers a sample application of the use of spatial imagery for mapping land cover in the Stanley-Pool (Congo - Brazzaville). The approach used here is based on confrontation of satellite data acquired on different dates (2001-2005). These images were chosen because of realization a demographic growth during this period. The results of this study show a great advance in land occupation which affected the whole of the autonomous port of Brazzaville.
This document summarizes research on the effects of vegetation cover on baseflow in the Mica Creek Experimental Watershed in northern Idaho. Data was collected on discharge from 18 tributaries using direct catch methods. Geographic Information Systems were used to analyze land coverage, slope, elevation, and aspect within each tributary's basin. Results showed average normalized flow was higher in disturbed basins (<60% vegetation cover) compared to undisturbed basins (>60% vegetation cover), though the difference was only marginally statistically significant. Normalized flow decreased with increasing vegetation cover. Elevation and aspect showed little correlation with normalized flow. The research helps understand the impacts of timber harvesting on baseflow.
This document discusses using the fully-integrated GSFLOW model to analyze the impact of low impact development (LID) strategies on surface water and groundwater flow. It presents a case study of a proposed urban development and evaluates the ability of LID strategies like green roofs, bioswales, infiltration galleries and permeable pavement to mitigate impacts to groundwater levels and discharge. The results show that with LID implementation, groundwater drawdowns were reduced by 86%, groundwater discharge to streams increased by 42%, and urban runoff generation was reduced by 80% compared to development without LIDs.
Delineation of Hydrocarbon Bearing Reservoirs from Surface Seismic and Well L...IOSR Journals
Hydrocarbon reservoir has been delineated and their boundaries mapped using direct indicators from 3-D seismic and well log data from an oil field in Nembe creek, Niger Delta region. Well log signatures were employed to identify hydrocarbon bearing sands. Well to seismic correlation revealed that these reservoirs tied with direct hydrocarbon indicators on the seismic section. The results of the interpreted well logs revealed that the hydrocarbon interval in the area occurs between 6450ft to 6533ft for well A, 6449ft to 6537ft for well B and 6629ft to 6704ft for well C; which were delineated using the resistivity, water saturation and gamma ray logs. Cross plot analysis was carried out to validate the sensitivity of the rock attributes to reservoir saturation condition. Analysis of the extracted seismic attribute slices revealed HD5000 as hydrocarbon bearing reservoir.
This document aims to validate the Soil Vulnerability Index (SVI) for identifying Critical Source Areas (CSAs) of pollution in two watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay region. The SVI ranks soil vulnerability based on characteristics like drainage and slope. It was applied to the Tuckahoe Creek Watershed and Greensboro Watershed, which have different soil types. Hydrologic modeling outputs from SWAT were used as a reference to validate the accuracy of the SVI classifications in each watershed. The results suggest the SVI performs differently depending on landscape characteristics, so multiple approaches should be used to identify CSAs to inform conservation practices.
This document summarizes a study that used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model integrated with remote sensing data and a Geographic Information System (GIS) to predict sediment yield in the Cameron Highlands region of Malaysia. Specifically, it describes how the RUSLE factors were calculated using data on rainfall, soils, topography, land cover, and field observations. The results showed sediment yield values ranged from very low to extremely high in different parts of the study area, with higher values found in the middle and lower catchments due to topographic and land use characteristics. This approach provides a spatially distributed model of sediment yield to understand soil erosion impacts in the region.
This document summarizes research on trends in crop water productivity across the contiguous United States between 2001-2015. An optimized water-light use model was developed using high resolution climate and vegetation index data to estimate gross primary production, net primary production, and yields for major crops. The model results show increases in water productivity for rain-fed corn and soybeans in the Midwest and irrigated/rain-fed cotton and sorghum in Texas. Declines were found for irrigated rice in California's Central Valley and Mississippi, as well as irrigated/rain-fed corn and wheat relying on the Ogallala Aquifer. The next steps involve expanding the analysis to a 30+ year global assessment from 1982-2012
This document discusses the differences between raster and vector data in QGIS. Raster data represents images as a grid of pixels, while vector data represents geographic features as points, lines, or polygons. The document then summarizes a project that used raster data to model potential flooding in Jacksonville, Florida under different levels of sea level rise predicted by the IPCC. Raster data was suitable for this project because it allowed easy transformation of elevation data but resulted in a pixelated map at the edges.
This document proposes a detailed gravity survey over the Kibby Basin property in Nevada to better understand the basin's geology. An initial interpretation of regional geophysical and geological data suggests the basin formed through a pull-apart mechanism within a trans-tensional environment. Normal faults bound the edges and interior of the basin, down-dropping basement rocks like Jurassic intrusions and volcanics. The detailed gravity survey aims to generate a 3D model of the basin fill and basement geometry beneath the property to support further exploration.
A knowledge-based model for identifying and mapping tropical wetlands and pea...ExternalEvents
This presentation was presented during the 2 Parallel session on Theme 3.1, Managing SOC in: Soils with high SOC – peatlands, permafrost, and black soils, of the Global Symposium on Soil Organic Carbon that took place in Rome 21-23 March 2017. The presentation was made by Mr. Thomas Gumbricht, from Center for International Forestry Research – Indonesia, in FAO Hq, Rome
This study analyzed changes in thermokarst lakes near Chersky, Russia between 1965 and 2011 using historical photographs and satellite imagery. The total lake area increased by 2,801,400 square meters over this period. Specifically, the number of small lakes increased while the number of large lakes decreased. Additionally, small lakes made up a greater percentage of the total lake area in 2011 compared to 1965. This suggests climate change is contributing to the drainage of larger lakes and expansion of smaller, more numerous water bodies in the region.
Preliminary results from a study are subject to change. Total sediment load from the drainage basin was estimated to be between 1.2 million to 1.3 million tons per year, assuming a 90% trap efficiency in reservoirs. Analysis of aerial imagery of the Carbon River from 1994 to 2009 showed changes in the active channel width over time. Lahars are rapid flows originating from a volcano that can transport large boulders and move with the consistency of cement.
1. The document analyzes changes in land surface albedo over the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau from 2000 to 2009 using satellite data on albedo, snow cover, and vegetation indices.
2. Results show albedo is strongly correlated with snow cover, with higher albedo corresponding to more frequent snow cover. Summer albedo is correlated with vegetation indices.
3. Interannual trends found albedo changes were driven by changes in snow cover and vegetation in different regions of the plateau, with snow cover dominating in some areas and vegetation in others.
This document summarizes Dr. Shiquan Ren's current research on integrated flow and flood modelling (IFFM). IFFM allows for temporal and spatial modelling of river flows and flooding. Dr. Ren has developed IFFM for the Macquarie River, Macquarie Marshes, Murrumbidgee River and Lowbidgee floodplain. The models produce daily/monthly river flow forecasts and spatial flood maps with over 95% accuracy. Future work will expand IFFM to other basins and countries, and apply it to water planning, electricity forecasting, and health/business statistics.
This contains the talk given at the 2017 meeting of the SteepStream ERANET project. It is assumed to talk about the hydrological cycle of the Noce river in Val di Sole valley (Trentino, Italy). It is a preliminary view of what we are going to do in the project.
This document outlines future work on assessing the impact of climate change and sea level rise on stormwater infrastructure in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. The work has two main objectives: 1) Update design storms based on climate projections to account for increased storm intensity, duration and frequency. 2) Perform hydrologic and hydraulic modeling to identify vulnerable transportation infrastructure considering factors like sea level rise causing backups in storm sewers. The results will help local planners prioritize flood mitigation efforts.
The document summarizes research on the Taku Glacier located within the Juneau Icefield in Alaska. Key findings include:
1) Surface elevation measurements from 2000-2016 show significant decreases in elevation along the center line of the Taku Glacier, indicating ice mass loss.
2) Elevation increases were observed at the glacier margins, supporting the hypothesis that the Taku Glacier is gaining mass from connected glaciers.
3) Velocity measurements show faster flow in the glacier center and slower flow along margins, consistent with higher friction at the edges.
4) Continued monitoring is needed to understand the Taku Glacier's dynamics as it transitions from advancing to stable over the next decade in the context of climate
This document summarizes an assessment of low impact development (LID) strategies using integrated surface water and groundwater models. The assessment evaluated various LID configurations for a proposed new development in Ontario to determine which strategies should be used and where to best preserve wetlands and aquifers. Modeling indicated that unmitigated development could lower aquifer levels but that LIDs like bioswales and infiltration galleries could sustain groundwater recharge and mitigate impacts, helping the municipality and conservation authority evaluate LID scenarios.
Applying the “abcd” monthly water balance model for some regions in the unite...Alexander Decker
This document describes applying the "abcd" monthly water balance model to three catchment regions in the United States to assess the model's feasibility in different climate regions. The model was able to adequately simulate streamflow for two catchments in warm, humid regions but was not able to simulate a catchment dominated by snowfall. Model parameters were calibrated for one catchment and applied successfully to another similar catchment, demonstrating potential for regionalization. However, the model requires modifications to account for snow dynamics to be effective in snow-dominated regions.
APPLICATIONS OF REMOTE SENSING AND GIS IN WATERSHED MANAGEMENTSriram Chakravarthy
This document discusses watershed management and the role of remote sensing and GIS applications. It begins with defining a watershed and the watershed approach. It then discusses watershed characterization, prioritization, development activities, and monitoring. Remote sensing provides synoptic data to map natural resources within watersheds. GIS is used to integrate spatial data for watershed delineation and analysis. The goal of watershed management is sustainable development through activities like water conservation, afforestation, and improving livelihoods.
This document summarizes Kimberly Lyons' master's thesis research which aims to simulate shifts in soil erosion rates under climate change in the Cobb Creek watershed in Georgia. The research will use the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation model in a GIS to analyze annual and seasonal soil erosion risk potential under current and projected future climate conditions from a global climate model. This will help inform best management practices and development decisions. Statistical analyses will compare soil erosion between current seasons and years to see how erosion may change in the future according to climate projections. The results could show increases or decreases in different seasons to help target conservation efforts.
The document discusses the need for high resolution digital elevation data to identify critical areas for targeting conservation practices in Minnesota. Precision conservation, which focuses practices on disproportionately polluting areas, can better protect water quality and habitat than spreading practices evenly. Lidar data can help identify critical sources of runoff and pollution like upland depressions, eroding stream banks, and ravines. Targeting best management practices to these critical areas identified through terrain analysis of high resolution elevation data can maximize the impact of conservation efforts.
Contributions of Satellite Images in the Diachronic Study of the Stanley-Pool...INFOGAIN PUBLICATION
With increased population now days, there is a marked change in morphology of the land when it comes the analysis of space images (satellite) using remote sensing. This study covers a sample application of the use of spatial imagery for mapping land cover in the Stanley-Pool (Congo - Brazzaville). The approach used here is based on confrontation of satellite data acquired on different dates (2001-2005). These images were chosen because of realization a demographic growth during this period. The results of this study show a great advance in land occupation which affected the whole of the autonomous port of Brazzaville.
This document summarizes research on the effects of vegetation cover on baseflow in the Mica Creek Experimental Watershed in northern Idaho. Data was collected on discharge from 18 tributaries using direct catch methods. Geographic Information Systems were used to analyze land coverage, slope, elevation, and aspect within each tributary's basin. Results showed average normalized flow was higher in disturbed basins (<60% vegetation cover) compared to undisturbed basins (>60% vegetation cover), though the difference was only marginally statistically significant. Normalized flow decreased with increasing vegetation cover. Elevation and aspect showed little correlation with normalized flow. The research helps understand the impacts of timber harvesting on baseflow.
This document discusses using the fully-integrated GSFLOW model to analyze the impact of low impact development (LID) strategies on surface water and groundwater flow. It presents a case study of a proposed urban development and evaluates the ability of LID strategies like green roofs, bioswales, infiltration galleries and permeable pavement to mitigate impacts to groundwater levels and discharge. The results show that with LID implementation, groundwater drawdowns were reduced by 86%, groundwater discharge to streams increased by 42%, and urban runoff generation was reduced by 80% compared to development without LIDs.
Delineation of Hydrocarbon Bearing Reservoirs from Surface Seismic and Well L...IOSR Journals
Hydrocarbon reservoir has been delineated and their boundaries mapped using direct indicators from 3-D seismic and well log data from an oil field in Nembe creek, Niger Delta region. Well log signatures were employed to identify hydrocarbon bearing sands. Well to seismic correlation revealed that these reservoirs tied with direct hydrocarbon indicators on the seismic section. The results of the interpreted well logs revealed that the hydrocarbon interval in the area occurs between 6450ft to 6533ft for well A, 6449ft to 6537ft for well B and 6629ft to 6704ft for well C; which were delineated using the resistivity, water saturation and gamma ray logs. Cross plot analysis was carried out to validate the sensitivity of the rock attributes to reservoir saturation condition. Analysis of the extracted seismic attribute slices revealed HD5000 as hydrocarbon bearing reservoir.
This document aims to validate the Soil Vulnerability Index (SVI) for identifying Critical Source Areas (CSAs) of pollution in two watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay region. The SVI ranks soil vulnerability based on characteristics like drainage and slope. It was applied to the Tuckahoe Creek Watershed and Greensboro Watershed, which have different soil types. Hydrologic modeling outputs from SWAT were used as a reference to validate the accuracy of the SVI classifications in each watershed. The results suggest the SVI performs differently depending on landscape characteristics, so multiple approaches should be used to identify CSAs to inform conservation practices.
This document summarizes a study that used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model integrated with remote sensing data and a Geographic Information System (GIS) to predict sediment yield in the Cameron Highlands region of Malaysia. Specifically, it describes how the RUSLE factors were calculated using data on rainfall, soils, topography, land cover, and field observations. The results showed sediment yield values ranged from very low to extremely high in different parts of the study area, with higher values found in the middle and lower catchments due to topographic and land use characteristics. This approach provides a spatially distributed model of sediment yield to understand soil erosion impacts in the region.
This document summarizes research on trends in crop water productivity across the contiguous United States between 2001-2015. An optimized water-light use model was developed using high resolution climate and vegetation index data to estimate gross primary production, net primary production, and yields for major crops. The model results show increases in water productivity for rain-fed corn and soybeans in the Midwest and irrigated/rain-fed cotton and sorghum in Texas. Declines were found for irrigated rice in California's Central Valley and Mississippi, as well as irrigated/rain-fed corn and wheat relying on the Ogallala Aquifer. The next steps involve expanding the analysis to a 30+ year global assessment from 1982-2012
This document discusses the differences between raster and vector data in QGIS. Raster data represents images as a grid of pixels, while vector data represents geographic features as points, lines, or polygons. The document then summarizes a project that used raster data to model potential flooding in Jacksonville, Florida under different levels of sea level rise predicted by the IPCC. Raster data was suitable for this project because it allowed easy transformation of elevation data but resulted in a pixelated map at the edges.
This document proposes a detailed gravity survey over the Kibby Basin property in Nevada to better understand the basin's geology. An initial interpretation of regional geophysical and geological data suggests the basin formed through a pull-apart mechanism within a trans-tensional environment. Normal faults bound the edges and interior of the basin, down-dropping basement rocks like Jurassic intrusions and volcanics. The detailed gravity survey aims to generate a 3D model of the basin fill and basement geometry beneath the property to support further exploration.
A knowledge-based model for identifying and mapping tropical wetlands and pea...ExternalEvents
This presentation was presented during the 2 Parallel session on Theme 3.1, Managing SOC in: Soils with high SOC – peatlands, permafrost, and black soils, of the Global Symposium on Soil Organic Carbon that took place in Rome 21-23 March 2017. The presentation was made by Mr. Thomas Gumbricht, from Center for International Forestry Research – Indonesia, in FAO Hq, Rome
This study analyzed changes in thermokarst lakes near Chersky, Russia between 1965 and 2011 using historical photographs and satellite imagery. The total lake area increased by 2,801,400 square meters over this period. Specifically, the number of small lakes increased while the number of large lakes decreased. Additionally, small lakes made up a greater percentage of the total lake area in 2011 compared to 1965. This suggests climate change is contributing to the drainage of larger lakes and expansion of smaller, more numerous water bodies in the region.
Preliminary results from a study are subject to change. Total sediment load from the drainage basin was estimated to be between 1.2 million to 1.3 million tons per year, assuming a 90% trap efficiency in reservoirs. Analysis of aerial imagery of the Carbon River from 1994 to 2009 showed changes in the active channel width over time. Lahars are rapid flows originating from a volcano that can transport large boulders and move with the consistency of cement.
1. The document analyzes changes in land surface albedo over the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau from 2000 to 2009 using satellite data on albedo, snow cover, and vegetation indices.
2. Results show albedo is strongly correlated with snow cover, with higher albedo corresponding to more frequent snow cover. Summer albedo is correlated with vegetation indices.
3. Interannual trends found albedo changes were driven by changes in snow cover and vegetation in different regions of the plateau, with snow cover dominating in some areas and vegetation in others.
This document summarizes Dr. Shiquan Ren's current research on integrated flow and flood modelling (IFFM). IFFM allows for temporal and spatial modelling of river flows and flooding. Dr. Ren has developed IFFM for the Macquarie River, Macquarie Marshes, Murrumbidgee River and Lowbidgee floodplain. The models produce daily/monthly river flow forecasts and spatial flood maps with over 95% accuracy. Future work will expand IFFM to other basins and countries, and apply it to water planning, electricity forecasting, and health/business statistics.
This contains the talk given at the 2017 meeting of the SteepStream ERANET project. It is assumed to talk about the hydrological cycle of the Noce river in Val di Sole valley (Trentino, Italy). It is a preliminary view of what we are going to do in the project.
This document outlines future work on assessing the impact of climate change and sea level rise on stormwater infrastructure in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. The work has two main objectives: 1) Update design storms based on climate projections to account for increased storm intensity, duration and frequency. 2) Perform hydrologic and hydraulic modeling to identify vulnerable transportation infrastructure considering factors like sea level rise causing backups in storm sewers. The results will help local planners prioritize flood mitigation efforts.
The document summarizes research on the Taku Glacier located within the Juneau Icefield in Alaska. Key findings include:
1) Surface elevation measurements from 2000-2016 show significant decreases in elevation along the center line of the Taku Glacier, indicating ice mass loss.
2) Elevation increases were observed at the glacier margins, supporting the hypothesis that the Taku Glacier is gaining mass from connected glaciers.
3) Velocity measurements show faster flow in the glacier center and slower flow along margins, consistent with higher friction at the edges.
4) Continued monitoring is needed to understand the Taku Glacier's dynamics as it transitions from advancing to stable over the next decade in the context of climate
This document summarizes an assessment of low impact development (LID) strategies using integrated surface water and groundwater models. The assessment evaluated various LID configurations for a proposed new development in Ontario to determine which strategies should be used and where to best preserve wetlands and aquifers. Modeling indicated that unmitigated development could lower aquifer levels but that LIDs like bioswales and infiltration galleries could sustain groundwater recharge and mitigate impacts, helping the municipality and conservation authority evaluate LID scenarios.
Applying the “abcd” monthly water balance model for some regions in the unite...Alexander Decker
This document describes applying the "abcd" monthly water balance model to three catchment regions in the United States to assess the model's feasibility in different climate regions. The model was able to adequately simulate streamflow for two catchments in warm, humid regions but was not able to simulate a catchment dominated by snowfall. Model parameters were calibrated for one catchment and applied successfully to another similar catchment, demonstrating potential for regionalization. However, the model requires modifications to account for snow dynamics to be effective in snow-dominated regions.
APPLICATIONS OF REMOTE SENSING AND GIS IN WATERSHED MANAGEMENTSriram Chakravarthy
This document discusses watershed management and the role of remote sensing and GIS applications. It begins with defining a watershed and the watershed approach. It then discusses watershed characterization, prioritization, development activities, and monitoring. Remote sensing provides synoptic data to map natural resources within watersheds. GIS is used to integrate spatial data for watershed delineation and analysis. The goal of watershed management is sustainable development through activities like water conservation, afforestation, and improving livelihoods.
This document summarizes Kimberly Lyons' master's thesis research which aims to simulate shifts in soil erosion rates under climate change in the Cobb Creek watershed in Georgia. The research will use the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation model in a GIS to analyze annual and seasonal soil erosion risk potential under current and projected future climate conditions from a global climate model. This will help inform best management practices and development decisions. Statistical analyses will compare soil erosion between current seasons and years to see how erosion may change in the future according to climate projections. The results could show increases or decreases in different seasons to help target conservation efforts.
This mid-term presentation summarizes a master's thesis on modeling soil erosion in the Kankai Mai watershed in Nepal using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model. Key points include:
1) The USLE model was implemented in ArcGIS to estimate soil loss rates across the watershed using factors like rainfall, soil type, slope, land use, and management practices.
2) Model parameters were calibrated and validated against observed sediment data, achieving R2 values over 0.7.
3) Results show the average annual sediment yield for the watershed is 21.94 tons/hectare and ranges from 18.04 to 25.07 tons/hectare in different
1. The study models erosion in the Mizewa watershed in the Upper Blue Nile Basin of Ethiopia using the SWAT model. Erosion rates were high, with average annual soil loss of 40.91 tons/ha.
2. Calibration and validation of the SWAT model showed good performance with R2 and NSE values over 0.5 and fair agreement between observed and simulated results.
3. The highest erosion occurred in July and August due to high rainfall. Surface runoff accounted for 24% of rainfall and was the main driver of erosion in the watershed.
This document summarizes Praveen Dwivedi's M.Tech thesis on modeling silicon nanowire mobility and resistance under the guidance of Dr. Sitangshu Bhattacharya. It introduces nanoelectronics and discusses the physics of nanodevices using the Landauer-Datta model. It also describes modeling silicon nanowire characteristics like electrical resistance and mobility by considering scattering mechanisms like lattice scattering and intervalley scattering. The document outlines Dwivedi's work on developing analytical models to determine the role of first-order intervalley scattering in silicon nanowire electrical resistance.
Soil Erosion for Vishwamitri River watershed using RS and GISvishvam Pancholi
1) This document summarizes a study of soil erosion in the Vishwamitri River watershed using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE).
2) The USLE factors of rainfall (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and steepness (LS), crop management (C), and supporting practices (P) were calculated for four sub-watersheds using GIS and remote sensing data.
3) The results showed that two of the sub-watersheds (SW1 and SW2) have very severe soil erosion rates of over 97 and 129 tons/ha/year respectively, and should be prioritized for soil conservation measures.
The document discusses implementing the watershed algorithm for image segmentation using MATLAB. It begins with an overview of the watershed algorithm which uses region growing to segment images based on gradients. It then discusses image segmentation goals and different categories of segmentation algorithms including discontinuity, similarity, thresholding and region-based approaches. The document outlines steps to be taken which include preprocessing images, implementing the watershed algorithm, and analyzing results to see the difference in segmented images. It expects watershed processing to produce segmented regions from a test image.
Following are some suggestions for future research. As GFRSCC technology is now being adopted in many ountries throughout the world, in the absence of suitable standardized test methods it is necessary to examine the existing test methods and identify or, when necessary, develop test methods suitable for acceptance as international Standards. Such test methods have to be capable of a rapid and reliable assessment of key
properties of fresh SCC on a construction site. At the same time, the testing equipment should be reliable, easily portable and inexpensive. The test procedure should be carried
out by a single operator and the test results have to be interpreted with a minimum of
training. Also, the results have to define and specify different GFRSCC mixes. One
primary application of these test methods would be in verification of compliance on sites
and in concrete production plants, if self- compacting concrete could be manufactured in
large quantities..
This document provides information about E2MATRIX, a company that offers readymade MTech thesis and thesis guidance services. It details the services offered, including topics in areas like cloud computing, data mining, and databases. Contact information and credentials of the company are also listed, along with the documentation and support provided to clients.
This document summarizes a thesis analyzing stress concentrations around doors and windows on the Boeing 787 aircraft under uniform shear loading. It presents analytical solutions using complex variable and Schwarz alternating techniques to model openings as rectangular holes in an infinite plate. Finite element analysis is also conducted and results show good agreement with analytical solutions. Stress concentrations are highest at corners and depend on geometry. Door and window interaction increases window stresses up to 4.8% but negligibly impacts door stresses.
The document discusses using GIS for a bridge inventory project for the City of New Haven, CT. Key project elements included collecting location and condition data for bridges during site visits, developing a database and summary reports, prioritizing bridges, and delivering the results in a digital map format to help the city manage its bridge infrastructure. The GIS approach integrated data on bridge locations, conditions and priorities to provide a comprehensive inventory and assessment tool.
REMOTE SENSING & GIS APPLICATIONS IN WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Sumant Diwakar
This document discusses remote sensing and GIS applications for watershed management. It describes how remote sensing can be used to characterize watersheds by mapping attributes like size, shape, drainage patterns, geology, soil, land use, and groundwater potential. Remote sensing data can be integrated with socioeconomic data and used to delineate watershed boundaries, prioritize watersheds for development, and generate action plans. The document also outlines steps for watershed demarcation, characterization using tools like GEOMORIS, and prioritization using methods such as the sediment yield index.
The document provides an overview of how geographic information systems (GIS) can be used in civil engineering applications. It discusses how GIS allows civil engineers to manage and analyze spatial data to support infrastructure planning, design, construction, and maintenance. It also summarizes several specific ways GIS is used, including infrastructure management, transportation, land use planning, watershed management, and environmental analysis. GIS provides a centralized way to store and visualize spatial data, analyze relationships, and share information across teams and organizations.
PRINCIPLES OF EROSION: Types of erosion, factors affecting erosion, effects of erosion on land fertility and land capability, estimation of soil loss due to erosion, Universal soil loss equation.
Modelled and Analysed the watershed Dynamics in Mahanadi River Basin. Finally came up with watershed Management Plan to minimise the future LUCC in Mahanadi River Basin
This document provides an analysis of the Platte River watershed located in Grant County, Wisconsin. It describes the watershed characteristics including land use, soils, precipitation trends, and stream geomorphology. Two sediment models are developed using factors like slope, soils, land use, and distance to streams to identify areas of high, medium, and low sediment runoff potential. The models are then compared to phosphorus export coefficients from another model called PRESTO to evaluate similarities between areas identified as high or low risk. The analysis finds the second sediment model more accurately identifies a small portion of the watershed as high risk, while the models show similarities for areas identified as low risk.
The document summarizes a bathymetric survey of Cross Lake in Caddo Parish, Louisiana that was conducted from April to June 1996 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the City of Shreveport. Cross Lake provides drinking water for the city and is an important recreational resource. The survey mapped over 300,000 data points to define the lake bottom morphology and aid in water quality interpretation. The lake covers 13.4 square miles, has an average depth of 7.7 feet, and maximum depth of 18.3 feet. Key results of the bathymetric survey are presented, including the lake boundaries, depth contours, and physical characteristics.
This document provides an overview of assessing soil erosion using the RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) model with remote sensing and GIS. It defines soil erosion and describes the types and causes of erosion. It also discusses the global and Indian scenarios of soil erosion and different erosion modeling approaches. The document explains the need for using remote sensing and GIS with RUSLE modeling. It describes the RUSLE equation and factors in detail and provides the framework for implementing the RUSLE model in a GIS.
Birr - Identifying Critical Portions of the LandscapeJose A. Hernandez
Terrain attributes derived from digital elevation models can be used to identify critical source areas for water quality protection. A study calculated terrain attributes like slope, curvature, and stream power index for two pilot watersheds in Minnesota. Field surveys showed higher values of attributes like specific catchment area and stream power index corresponded to locations of gullies and other erosion features. The results indicate terrain analysis can efficiently identify priority areas for conservation practices to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff.
The document discusses coastal monitoring in Newfoundland and Labrador. It describes analyzing shoreline change in Point Verde using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). DSAS calculated that annual shoreline retreat ranges from 0.54 m/year to 0.15 m/year, indicating erosion of up to 12 m over the study period from 1993 to 2013. The document also outlines steps to display coastal monitoring data and shoreline change statistics on the Newfoundland and Labrador GeoScience Atlas to provide public access to the information.
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This document presents a storm water modeling project for the Town Creek Watershed in Salisbury, NC using the Curve Number Runoff Method. Land use in the watershed was modeled between 1978 and 2009 using aerial imagery and satellite data. Results found forest and open space decreased by 3% and 5% respectively, while urban area increased by 8%. Storm water runoff increased from 78,592 cubic feet in 1978 to 92,131 cubic feet in 2009 based on a 4 inch rainfall. While the Curve Number method provided useful insights, it may be better suited to areas with greater elevation changes and less urbanization.
This document presents a storm water modeling project for the Town Creek Watershed in Salisbury, NC using the Curve Number Runoff Method. Land use in the watershed was modeled between 1978 and 2009 using aerial imagery and satellite data. Results found forest and open space decreased by 3% and 5% respectively, while urban area increased by 8%. Storm water runoff increased from 78,592 cubic feet in 1978 to 92,131 cubic feet in 2009 based on a 4 inch rainfall. While the Curve Number method provided useful insights, it may be better suited to areas with greater elevation changes and less urbanization.
This document summarizes a storm water modeling project for the Town Creek Watershed in Salisbury, NC that analyzed changes in land use and storm water runoff between 1978 and 2009. Digital elevation data, soil data, and aerial/satellite imagery from 1978 and 2009 were used to create land cover maps and calculate storm water runoff for each time period using the Curve Number runoff method. The results showed increases in urban area and storm water runoff over time, reinforcing the impact of urbanization. Issues included limitations of the Curve Number method for less elevated, more urbanized areas.
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A GIS-Based Framework to Identify Opportunities to Use Surface Water to Offse...ASADULISLAMSORIF
The state of Louisiana (Fig. 1) is
characterized by a humid subtropical
climate and receives about 150 cm of
rain per year.
Louisiana hosts about 40% of the
freshwater wetlands in the U.S. is a hub
for the petroleum industry and the third
leading producer of rice in the U.S. Louisiana is also a leading exporter of
aquaculture products
This document summarizes a storm water modeling project for the Town Creek Watershed in Salisbury, NC that used the Curve Number Runoff Method to model land use change between 1978 and 2009 and calculate the resulting changes in storm water runoff. Land use data from aerial imagery and satellite images from 1978 and 2009 were incorporated into a GIS system along with digital elevation models and soil data. The results found increases in urban land use of 8% along with decreases in forest and open space, and a corresponding increase in storm water runoff accumulation at a point in the watershed. The project reinforced the impact of urbanization in increasing storm water runoff but encountered issues applying the method in an already urbanized environment.
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1) The document discusses how to scale up point measurements of evapotranspiration (ET) to the watershed level by strategically locating measurement stations and using spatial proxies like satellite data.
2) A case study used 4 ET measurement stations located at increasing elevations along a transect to capture changes with elevation. ET was scaled up to the entire watershed level using remote sensing data.
3) With point ET measurements scaled to the watershed, the water balance could be assessed and scenarios like the effects of temperature increases on runoff could be modeled.
Developing a Model to Validate the Use of Landsat and MODIS Data to Monitor C...daileya
This document describes developing a model to analyze Landsat and MODIS data to monitor coastal wetland areas in Louisiana for persistent saltwater intrusion. The model combines data from various sources, including USGS monitoring stations and Landsat imagery, to identify relationships between salinity, flooding, and vegetation changes. It extracts relevant data for selected dates and locations to produce a database for analyzing how wetlands respond to physical changes. Results show the procedure fulfills requirements for sorting multi-source data and aiding interpretation of remote sensing products for coastal wetland monitoring and restoration.
Sea level rise and storm surge tools and datasets supporting Municipal Resili...GrowSmart Maine
Why plan for growth and change, when it seems so much easier to simply react?
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This is the dollars and sense of smart growth.
Success is clearly visible in Maine, from the creation of a community-built senior housing complex and health center in Fort Fairfield to conservation easements creating Forever Farms to Rockland's revitalized downtown. Communities have options. We have the power to manage our own responses to growth and change.
After all, “Planning is a process of choosing among those many options. If we do not choose to plan, then we choose to have others plan for us.” - Richard I. Winwood
And in the end, this means that our children and their children will choose to make Maine home and our economy will provide the opportunities to do so.
The Summit offers you a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the transformative change in Maine that we’ve seen these gatherings produce. We encourage you to consider the value of being actively involved in growing Maine’s economy and protecting the reasons we choose to live here.
This document describes the development of a 1-dimensional HEC-RAS sediment transport model for the 357-mile Kansas River. The model was developed to analyze how increased sediment loads from reservoir sediment management strategies may impact the river. It was calibrated using bed change data from 2007-2018 and validated against USGS stage data. The model will be used to simulate future sediment management scenarios and their effects on the river and stakeholders.
This document summarizes a study examining the pre-settlement drainage network configuration in the Upper Sangamon River Basin in Illinois. The researchers used historical maps, soil surveys, and LIDAR data to estimate the locations and extent of natural channels before the 1850s. They found that about 40% of the basin lacked incised river channels prior to agricultural conversion. Soil maps and 1800s surveys showed similar channel locations, with 82% of historical channels within 50 meters of alluvial soils. The current drainage network is about three times more extensive than the estimated pre-settlement configuration.
1. Average Annual Soil
Loss of the Sevenmile
Creek Watershed
U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n -
W h i t e w a t e r
W h i t e w a t e r G e o g r a p h y
D e p a r t m e n t
3 / 1 1 / 2 0 1 4
King, Aaron J
With changingregulationsandfastgrowingagriculture,the
state of Iowaiscurrentlyundergoingsoil erosion
assessmenttodetermine the impactsoil erosionishaving
on local watersheds.The Sevenmile Creekwatershed,
locatedinthe loesshillsof southernIowa,anortheastern
tributaryof the NodawayRiver,hasbeenassessedusing
the modifiedsoillossequationinordertocalculate the
estimatedannual soil loss(tons/acre).
2. Introduction:
Soil Erosion is fast becoming a problem that is only getting worse. Some estimates state that
as much as 4 billion tons of soil erosion occurred annually by the 1970s (Schwabet al. 1993). Not
only, but research also has provided that factthat soil erosion can also reduce the productivity of
some soils (Lowdermilk, 1953; Shertz et al. 1989). This can limit the amount that the soils can
actually produce. This is why erosion is the main source of sediments that pollutes streams and fills
reservoirs. For this reason, the need tocalculate average annual soil loss forwatersheds is so
important. This can help manage and then develop solutions as to how problems can be dealt with.
The Sevenmile Creek, locatedin the Southern Loess Hills of Southern Iowawill be examined using
the modified soil loss equation in order to accurately determine the estimated annual soil loss per
year of that specific subwatershed.
The Sevenmile Creek is located in the Southern Loess hills. It is a tributary to the Nodaway
River, whichis a tributary to the Missouri River, whicheventually leads to the Mississippi River.
The loess hills refers to the typeof soil sediment in the area. The dominate way that soil has been
deposited in the loess hills is through loess, or wind-blownsilt. Over millions of years, silt particles
have accumulated to form the Loess Hills of Southern Iowa.These particles were deposited as the
result of the Pleistocene glacial activity. There are 3 major loess deposits, Loveland(120000-
150000 yrs. ago), Pisgah (25000-31000 yrs. ago) and Peoria (12500-25000 yrs. ago) whichis the
most commonly seen unit in Iowa.
The loess hills have a distinctive land scape. Its western extent flowsinto the Missouri
River. The topography of the area is sharp withalternating peaks. The silt allows for a dense
networkof drainage ways, resulting in gullies and ravines. This allows for very pronounced gully
erosion. This further affectscrop lands and stream channels. This is another reason the soil
erodibility needs to be measured and check.
Since the 1980s, CRP lands have become more popular. This is where the government buys
up crop and pays farmers to not plant on it. This immensely stops soil erosion. Having plants rootin
the soil solidifies the soils in place. Howeverdue to the ethanol popularity, in 2007, the government
signed into law gasoline needed to use ethanol. This led to a huge increase in corn prices. This made
it more profitable to plant again instead of not, so CRP land is starting to drop. For this reason, there
is a growing concern that soil erodibility willagain increase, causing more environmental and
economic harm.
The way in whichthe watershed will be analyzed will be done through the modified annual
soil loss equation (RULSE).This equation takes into account several factors that could affectthe
erodibility of the area. These factors include rainfall intensity, soil cover, slope length, slope
steepness, land cover,and support practices. Combined, these elements can help determine the
average annual soil loss of the Sevenmile Creek Watershed.
3. Methods and materials:
The Sevenmile Creek watershed creek data was downloaded on February 6th, 2014 fromthe
Natural Resources Geographic Information Systems Library (http://www/igs.uiowa.edu/nrgislibx)
(NRGIS) by Aaron King, University of Wisconsin-Whitewaterstudent. This data was collected and
maintained by the G.I.S. department of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. All geo-
referenced data is projected in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM),Zone 15, North American
Datum of 1983(NAD83). The watershed data includes basin shapefiles, basin buff shapefiles, and
reference files (DEM,soil data, slope, and Land Cover from 2002) used for the project. The primary
data that was downloaded came from the county data. The Sevenmile Creek is located primarily in
the Cass County, witha small section located in Montgomery County. Each county supplied soil data
(includes soil description, variables and K-factor) and a DEM.
In order to calculateannual soil loss, the modified RUSLE equation will be used. This
equation is the most widely accepted method of estimating soil loss. This equation was developed
my Wischmeier and Smith (1978):
A stands forthe average annual soil loss in tons/acre for a given area. A is found by
multiplying 6 components together. Each component is a functionimportant to soil loss. R stands
for the rain fall and run-off erosivity factor.K stands forthe soil erodibility factor.L and S are often
combined to make an LS factor,that is the slope steepness and length factorof the given area. C is a
covermanagement factor.P is the conservation practicefactor.
The R factoris the rain fall and erosivity factor. The R factorchanges depending on the
amount of rainfall and the storm precipitation. Eachstorm is given an index value, EI. E stands for
the kinetic energy of the storm. I stands forthe maximum 30-min intensity for that storm. All EI
values in a specific area are calculated throughout the year to get an annual sum. This value is the R
value. The value that was used forthis specific watershed of the Sevenmile Creek was determined
from “PredicatingRainfall Erosion Losses – A Guide to Conservation Planning” via figure 9.6 of the
Soil Conservation and Sediment Budgets paper (Table 9.6, chapter 9, pg. 263) as wellas IowaNRCS
data (1999). This value was not a shapefile, rather a value that was plugged into the raster
calculatoras a number, instead of a field. In this watershed we used a value of 160.
K Factor is found through soil data that was downloaded forthe county data. Since the
Sevenmile watershed expands into two counties, twodifferent soil datas were downloaded. Soil69
and soil15 shapefiles (for Cass and Montgomery County) were merge together using a merge
shapefiles tool. The field in the attribute table that was used to join the two files were Muskey. This
allows the two shapefiles to share the data, allowing the user to use one big continuous shapefile.
There was a specific K-Factor field in these combined fields that was used to do the K-factor.At this
point, the shapefile was clipped to just include the the watershed. In order to pull out the field to be
4. used in the raster calculator,the toolFeature to raster was used. Using this field, I selected K-factor,
and pulled out the K-factor.This automatically pulls this field out and creates a raster that was used
in the Raster Calculator.
LS factor, whichis the slope length and steepness was done via the Raster Calculator
featuring flow accumulationand slope. In order to get the slope of the water shed, the DEM (Digital
Elevationmodel) was downloaded foreach of the counties. Oncethese features were downloaded,
they were then merged using the tool, mosaic to new raster. This allowsArcMap to merge the DEMS
into a new raster file.Once these were merged, the raster file was clipped according to the
watershed basin. Oncethe Dem was finished, the Fill tool was used to bring out and fill the DEM
spaces. This DEM was used in both flow accumulation and slope (Beriby, 2006).
In order to take the slope of the DEM,the Slope tool (spatial analyst extension) was used.
The slope is featured in degrees. Since the slope was featured in centimeters, the Z-factor,which
determines how far forwardand backwards the slope elevation goes, was changed to 0.01 to
accountfor this change; this gives us the proper slope in degrees.
In order to get flow accumulation, flow direction needs to be calculated.This is done from
the filled DEM. The Flow direction tool was used to acquire Flow direction. Once the Flow Direction
was finished, the Flow Accumulation tool was run on the Flow Direction.This allows for the Flow
accumulation.
Once the Flow Accumulation and the slope have been done, a raster calculatoris used to find the LS
factor.In the raster calculator,this equation was used (Breiby,2006):
Power(“flow_accumulation”* cell resolution / 22.1, 0.4) * Power(Sin(“slope”* 0.01745) / 0.09, 1.4)
* 1.4
Here, flow accumulationis plugged in as wellas the slope. The cell size, which is 30m,30m (plug in
30) is also plugged in forthe resolution. This output will be the LS factoras a raster that can be used
in the RUSLE equation.
The C factoris land coverdata. This data was downloaded from the watershed data which
included the basin cover.Three separate years were downloaded, one from2002, one from 2000
and one from 1992. In order to get the most accurate data, the 2002 land coverwas initially used to
determine land covertypes, but the file was corrupted. So, as a backup, the 2000 land cover was
used. Eachspecific land cover typewas given a value that has been predetermined. This value is a
coefficientthat allows forthe amount of soil erosion each land covertype has. Each value that was
plugged into the attribute table in correspondence with a paper “MODELINGALTERNATIVE
AGRICULTURALSCENARIOS USING RUSLE AND GIS TODETERMINE EROSIONRISK IN THE
CHIPPEWARIVERWATERSHED,MINNESOTA” by ElenaDoucet-Bëer.(Bëer, 2011, PG. 27)(Breiby,
2006). This report outlines specific land covertypes and the C-factorthat corresponds with it. In
order to insert these into the C-factorshapefile, I opened the attribute table and added a field. This
5. field was named C-factor.The field was a float, withprecision of 5, scale of 4. After the field was
added, I opened up an editing session, and plugged in the numbers foreach attribute. See Table 1
Rowid VALUE COUNT CLASS C-FACTOR
0 1 115 Water 0
1 2 7606 Forest 0.002
2 3 130541 Grass 0.005
3 4 123446 Corn 0.6
4 5 103831 Beans 0.45
5 6 712 Artifical 0
6 7 143 Barren 0.3
Table 1. This is the attribute table for the C-factor. These values were used exported and used inthe RUSLE
equation.
In order select these features, the LookUp tool (Spatial Analyst) was used. This allows you
to take a feature in the attribute table for a vectorfile, and convertthe selected attribute to a new
raster file that can be used in the raster calculator.
The P factor,whichis the management practices, is also a constant in the RUSLE equation,
much like the R factor.This number ranges from 0-1, 0 being the best prevention practices and 1
being none. Because the soil erosion practices are unknown, a value of 1 is used in the raster
calculator,in order to see primarily whatthe potential soil erosion in the watershed would be.
In order to calculatethe RUSLE equation, all of the mentioned fields were combined in the
raster calculator. They were combined as
160 (R-factor)*“K-Factor” * “LS-Factor” * “C-Factor” * 1 (P-Factor)
This output willgive the estimated average annual soil loss in tons per acre per year.
6. Analysis
The watershed basin that was in use is located in the Southern IowaLoess Hills, locatedin
Cass and Montgomery Counties see figure. 1. The watershed covers 94668 acres.
Figure1. This is the area of the Watershed that is being analyzed.
7. K factor,see fig.2 wasdeterminedviasoil datagiventhroughthe countydata. Thisdatahas
valuesthatrange from 0-1. Each soil type thatthe watershedareaismade of isgivena value,in
accordance to itserodibility.Kcan varydependingonseasonal variationinsoil erodibilityaswell asafter
tillage.These valuesweredeterminedfrommerge soildataandhad beenpreviouscollectedandputin
the attribute table.Inthismap,the valuesrange from0 to 0.43 showinga generallyhighamountof soil
erodibility.The soil inthe watershedispredominantlyloessdepositedsandsandsilts.The darkervalues
showhigherK-Factors,predominantlyalongthe creekvalley,andthe brownerthe valuesget,the lower
the K-Factor.
LS factor was derivedthroughDEM,Flow Direction,Flow Accumulation,andSlope.The DEM,
see fig.3, showslow spotsalongthe valleyof the river,whichcoincideswiththe previousbase maps.
Thisalsoshowssmall smallercreeksthatflow out;thisisalsolowerinelevation. The highestpointslook
to be rollinghills,mostlikelyfromthe depositedloessthatdominatesthe soil of the regions.Thisalso
correlateswiththe base map.
From the DEM the Slope wasfound.Since the valuesare inmeters,the Z-factorneededtobe
adjustedinorderto properlydisplaythe slope of the areaindegrees.See fig.4.The slope corresponds
withthe DEM of the area,showinglowslope valuesof 0 degreesslope change atcreekandhighest
locationsrightnexttothe creek. The highvalue isapproximately24 degrees.The valuesshow fromthe
headwatersandgrowdownstream,withthe valuesbecomingmore frequenttowardsthe confluence.
Most of these looklike theyare the resultof soil beingdepositedasthe streamflowsdownriver.
The DEM wasalsousedto calculate flow directionandlaterflow accumulation.Inthe Flow
direction, see fig.5,the lightervaluesshow anincrease inthe amountof flow,while asthe darkitget,
the amountof runoff decreases,showingthe flowof direction.Thismapwasthenusedto getflow
accumulation,see fig.6.The lighterthe areais forthe flow accumulationshowsthe areawiththe
highestamountof flowaccumulation.Onthe map,thiscentersinthe actual creek,whichwouldbe
accurate.
The combinationof the twomaps inthe raster calculatorgivesthe LS factor,see fig.7. The LS
factor displayslengthandsteepnessof slope asavalue.The greenareason the map area are areas that
have higherthe values.Thismeansthat theywill be mostaffectedbythe slope steepnessandlength.
C-factor,see fig.8, contains specificlandcoversfeaturesthathave adeterminedvalueforsoil
erosion.The valueswere brokendownto7 classes,water,forest,grass,corn,beans,artificial, and
barren. Each land coverwasgivena value (see table 2).Water=0,Forest-0.002, Grass-0.005, Corn-0.3,
Beans-0.5and Barren-0.6.
8. Figure 2. This shows the K factor for the area. This file was converted from a vector shapefile into a raster using the feature
to raster. This value will be used in the RUSLE equation.
9. Figure3. This is the DEM of the Watershed analysis. It has a range of 11486.
10. Figure4. This is the slopeof the watershed. It ranges from 24 degrees at the highest point to 0 degrees at its
lowestpoint.
11. Figure5. This shows flow direction. TheDarker values show higher amounts of runoff and movement as opposed
to light areas that show very little movement.
12. Figure6. The flow accumulationis highest at the Creek due to where the water and soil is deposited.
13. Figure7. LS is shownhere. This layer will becombined with the other factors to producethe RUSLE equation.
This shows slopelength and steepness.
14. Figure 8. This shows the various land covers in the watershed. This is mostly barren, bean and grass land.
15. Whenall R-Factor (160), K-Factor,LS-Factor,C-Factor,and P-Factor(1) are combinedinthe
RasterCalculator,the resultisthe average annual soil lossforthe watershed. Thisisthe RUSLE
equation,see fig.9. The areasthat have are the darkestshow the leastamountof soil loss.Thisismostly
inthe physical creekitself,whichwouldmake sense due tothe lackof soil actuallyinthe water.The
lighterareasare the areasthat have the most soil loss.These are predominatelyinareasthatare higher
up,and have the highestslope.
Once the RUSLE equationwascalculated,basicstatisticswere runtodeterminethe average
annual soil lossperacre peryear.Accordingthe data from the RUSLE equation,the sumtotal of soil loss
ina yearwas 582765.2704 tons.If youdivide thatbythe area of the watershed(94668 acres) there isan
estimatedvalue of 6.1tons peracre peryear.
16. Figure 3. This shows the RULSE equation. The average annual soil loss is 6.1 tons per acre per year.
17. Conclusion:
UsingArcMap software,R,K,LS, C and P were combinedtocreate the average annual soil loss
equationorthe RULSE equation.Thiswasdone in30 by30 meterresolutionanddisplaysaccuratelythe
data that wasdownloaded.Withthe datathatwas usedinthe processof estimatingthe average annual
soil loss,the estimatedvalue endedupbeing6.1tonsper acre peryear.
The average annual erosionforIowaisroughly5.2 tonsper acre peryearaccording to
Environmental WorkingGroupas a summaryof Iowa Soil Loss. Thisnumberisdeemedslightlyhigher
than sustainable. The soil erosion forthe SevenmileCreekwatershedis slightlyhigherthanthe average.
Thiscouldpossible notbe all humanerrorhowever.Asthe reportcontinues,it stormsasrecentas of
2007 have triggeredsoil lossesthatwere 12 timesgreaterthanthe federal average forthe state of Iowa.
Thisintensitycouldbe afactor inthe R value. Since the value thatwasusedinthisreportwas froma
chart that was published in1978, there isa probabilitythatthe erosionisevenhigherwithamore
accurate R factor. A good wayto check isviathe website,whichproducedagraphicthatdisplays
average annual soil lossforall of Iowa,see fig10.
Figure 10. This graphic was taken from the EWG website and shows average Soil Erosion for Iowa
http://www.ewg.org/losingground/report/executive-summary/2.html
18. Thisgraphic showstwo importantdetails.First,the estimatedsoil lossthatwascalculatedisin
accurate to the pointwhere itshouldbe (between5.1-10.0).Second,there isalsoleewayinthe average
annual soil loss.Soan increasedR,whichwouldleadto anincrease average soil erosion,wouldputme
still inthe propercolumnof 5-10.0. Thisadds legitimacytothe project.
ThisRUSLE equationalso doesnotaccountfor a changingP value.The P value helpsto
determine landcoverpractices.A value of 1was usedinthe equation,whichdeemsthatlittle tono
extrapracticesinorder to preventsoil erosionwere used.If thisexperimentweretobe redone,thenP
and R –Factor needto be furtherexaminedtofurtheranalyzethisproject.
Since the average annual soil lossisalreadyabove the “sustainable”limit,measuresneedtobe
takeninorder to preventany more soil loss.Thisisa trendthat isonlyrising.Accordingtofigure 10,
there isa highamount of soil lossinthe southwesternpartof the state.The bestmeasure to take
wouldbe to start implementingmore CRPcroplandto preventsoil loss.
Since the majorityof the soil iswind-blownloess,plantinggrasseswouldhelppreventthe loose
soil fromcomingup.Lookingat the C-Factor (fig.8) you can see the majorityof the landit eitherbean
farms,barrenor grasses.These all have veryhighC-factorvalues,rangingfrom0.4-0.6. Thiscouldalso
increase the chance of runoff fromoverlandflow. Thiscouldbe the reasonthatthe soil erosionisso
high.There isno plantmaterial tokeepthe soil fromerodingaway. Thisisimportantformanyreasons.
One primaryreasonisthat soil erosioncanreduce the productivityof some soils(Lowdermilk,1953;
Shertzetal. 1989 viaSoil ConservationandSedimentBudgets).Withthe reductionof soil,thisdoes
adhere tosustainable soils.
Breiby, T. (2006). Assessment of Soil Erosion Riskwithin a Subwatershed using GIS and RUSLE with a Comparative
Analysis of the use of STATSGO and SSURGO soil Databases. Department of Resources Analysis, Saint Mary’s Universityof
Minnesota, Winona, MN, Volume 8,
Cox, C., Hug A., Bruzelius, N. (2014) Executive Summary, EnvironmentalWorking Group, LosingGround.
http://www.ewg.org/losingground/report/executive-summary.html
Doucet-Bëer, E., (2011) MODELING ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURAL SCENARIOSUSING RUSLE ANDGISTO DETERMINE
EROSION RISK IN THE CHIPPEWA RIVER WATERSHED, MINNESOTA. Universityof Michigan. Master’s Thesis
Schwab, G. O., Fangmeier, D. D., Elliot, W. J., andFrevert, R. K. (1993). Soil and Water Conservation Engineering. John
Willey& Sons, Inc., New York, NY USA, 4 edition.
Soil Conservation and Sediment Budgets. Environmental Hydrology. Pg. 257-290
Wischmeir, W.H. SmithD.D. (1978). “Predicating Rainfall Erosion Losses – A Guide to Conservation Planning” . USDA
Handbook537