Use of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to Predict Event Soil Loss
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Date
2002-05Author
Kelsey, Kurt L.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
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Show full item recordAbstract
Soil erosion is an important environmental and economic problem. Information
about soil loss from erosion by water may be used to assess ecosystem health and
function. Erosion events can be expensive and potentially dangerous. The US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that sediments are the largest pollutant of
our Nation's water bodies on a volume basis. The average annual land development rate
from 1992-1997 was 1.3 million hectares (3.2 million acres), which was more than
double the average rate occurring over the previous ten years (Benson, 1999). Erosion
control plans become more important with the increase of land disturbances. Much of the
soil loss information for erosion control is based on the Revised Universal Soil Loss
Equation (RUSLE). RUSLE, previously the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), was
developed to estimate average annual soil loss from agricultural fields. The equation
reliably predicts soil loss on an annual basis, but there is a need to be able to accurately
predict soil loss for durations of less than one year. This project evaluated whether
RUSLE could be applied to accurately predict soil loss from single rainfall events by
comparing measured soil loss values to values predicted by the equation. Event soil
erodibility factors (RUSLE K factors) were back calculated and compared to published
average annual K factor values to confirm the use of RUSLE to predict event soil loss.
The equation was found to be a reliable predictor of event soil loss on loam and sandy
loam soils, but not on the silty clay loam soil.