Application of the WEPP model for prioritization and evaluation of best management practices in an Indian watershed

Abstract

Abstract:The pre-calibrated and validated physically based watershed model, water erosion prediction project (WEPP) was used as a modelling tool for the identification of critical watersheds and evaluation of best management practices for a small hilly watershed (Karso) of India. The land use/cover of the study area was generated using IRS-1C LISS-III (linear imaging self scanner) satellite data. The watershed and sub-watershed boundaries, drainage, slope and soil map of the study area were generated using ARC/INFO geographic information system (GIS). The WEPP model was finally applied to the Karso watershed which lies within Damodar Barakar catchment of India to identify the critical sub-watersheds on the basis of their simulated average annual sediment yields. Priorities were fixed on the basis of ranks assigned to each critical sub-watershed based on the susceptibility to erosion. The sub-watershed having the highest sediment yield was assigned a priority number 1, the next highest value was assigned a priority number 2, and so on. Subsequently, the model was used for evaluating the effectiveness of best management practices (crop and tillage) for conservation of soil for all the sub-watersheds. On the basis of this study, it is realized that cash crops like soyabean should be encouraged in the upland portion of the sub-watersheds, and the existing tillage practice (country plough/mould board plough) may be replaced by a field cultivation system for conservation of soil and water in the sub-watersheds.

Quantifying and modeling post-failure sediment yields from laboratory-scale soil erosion and shallow landslide experiments with silty loess

“…Yu and Rosewell, 2001;Pieri et al, 2007) and watershed scales (e.g. Cochrane and Flanagan, 1999;Amore et al, 2004;Pandey et al, 2009) where soil erosion is the main dominant source of sediment.…”

Prioritizing Watersheds for Conservation Actions in the Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecoregion

“…A wide variety of modeling approaches that range from relatively simple process-based models ) to more complex hydrological models and heuristic algorithms (Bekele and Nicklow 2005;Arabi et al 2006;Maringanti et al 2009;Pandey et al 2009;Rodriguez et al 2011) have been used to assess and prioritize the placement of BMPs within the agricultural landscape and to assess their effect on water quality. Depending on the approach, these models can be easy to apply or demand large amounts of data and resources.…”

Modelling the impacts of subsurface drainage on surface runoff and sediment yield in the Le Sueur Watershed, Minnesota, USA

“…WEPP has both a hillslope and a watershed version and can be used to model spatial and temporal distributions of net soil loss and sediment deposition along a hillslope or across a watershed on an event or a continuous basis (Flanagan and Nearing 1995). The WEPP model has been applied to various regions of the world for quantifying sediment yield and runoff from agricultural and forested areas (Ghidey and Alberts 1996, Huang et al 1996, Cochrane and Flanagan 1999, Schröder 2000, Tiwari et al 2000, Yu et al 2000, Zeleke 2001, Pieri et al 2007, Pandey et al 2009, Defersha and Melesse 2011. In an agricultural watershed in Western Oregon, a subsurface drainage system reduced surface runoff and sediment yield by 65% and 55%, respectively (Istok and Kling 1983).…”