The effect of surface flow conditions on WEPP interrill erodibilities

Abstract

The Water Erosion Prediction Project erosion model (WEPP) was developed as an event-based more process-based replacement for Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) based models in predicting soil erosion as a guide to conserving soil in the USA. However, WEPP has not been shown to predict event soil losses for bare fallow USLE plots better than USLE-based models when stipulated input values have been used. To some extent, this problem can be attributed to the availability of more refined and site-specific input parameters for the USLE-based models. This is true with respect to WEPP’s capacity to model raindrop-driven erosion on USLE plots under natural rainfall. Stipulated values for WEPP interrill erodibilities in the USA were determined only for ridge side slopes but USLE-based models focus on the prediction of long-term average annual soil loss caused by both sheet and rill erosion on planar surfaces. The interrill erodibilities determined for ridge side slopes did not correlate well with those on adjacent flat surfaces sloping along the land slope under the same rainfall conditions. Surface flow conditions, particularly flow depth, differ between the short high gradient side slopes associated with ridges, and the lower gradient slopes in interrill and sheet erosion areas on USLE plots. Failure of WEPP to account for the influence of different flow conditions between ridged and flat areas on raindrop-driven erosion affects the veracity of WEPP to predict average annual soil loss on USLE plots under natural rainfall and the use of WEPP to act as a replacement for USLE based models as an aid to make land management decisions to conserver soil in the USA.