Estimation of Soil Erosion and Sediment Yield Using GIS at Catchment Scale

A GIS-based method has been applied for the determination of soil erosion and sediment yield in a small watershed in Mun River basin, Thailand. The method involves spatial disintegration of the catchment into homogenous grid cells to capture the catchment heterogeneity. The gross soil erosion in each cell was calculated using Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) by carefully determining its various parameters. The concept of sediment delivery ratio is used to route surface erosion from each of the discritized cells to the catchment outlet. The process of sediment delivery from grid cells to the catchment outlet is represented by the topographical characteristics of the cells. The effect of DEM resolution on sediment yield is analyzed using two different resolutions of DEM. The spatial discretization of the catchment and derivation of the physical parameters related to erosion in the cell are performed through GIS techniques.     

Sediment Delivery Assessment for a Transboundary Mediterranean Catchment: The Example of Nestos River Catchment

Nestos River flows through Bulgaria and Greece and discharges into the North Aegean Sea. Its total catchment area is around 6,200 km², while the mean annual precipitation and runoff are 680 mm and 40 m³/s, respectively. The Hellenic part of the catchment has undergone a substantial hydroelectric development, since two dams associated with major hydropower pumped-storage facilities are in operation. The main objective of the paper is to assess the expected sediment delivery of Nestos R. at the uppermost Thisavros reservoir site. This has been carried out by implementing the Universal Soil Loss Equation in a GIS environment for determining the mean annual soil erosion in conjunction with a suspended sediment measurement program (114 measurements in total) accomplished between 1965 and 1983 adjacent to the dam site. The sediment discharge rating curve between sediment and river discharges in a power form has been constructed using five alternative techniques, namely (a) the linear regression of the log-transformed variables, (b) the same as (a) but with the Ferguson correction, (c) different ratings for the dry and wet seasons of the year, (d) the nonlinear regression, and (e) the broken line interpolation that utilizes different rating parameters for two discharge classes. It is shown that the mean annual sediment yield is almost equal for all rating curve formulations and varies between 178.5 t km⁻² and 203.4 t km⁻² and the highest value results from the broken line interpolation method. Accordingly, the sediment delivery ratios vary slightly between 17% and 19% of the upstream soil erosion.     

Estimation of Soil Erosion and Sediment Yield During Individual Rainstorms at Catchment Scale

Lushi basin, named after the Lushi County, is one of the sub-basins of the Yellow River basin in China. The basin is suffering from severe soil erosion problems, especially during the “wet” season. In order to identify the proper soil management approaches for the basin, an erosion model is designed to estimate the soil erosion and sediment yield during single events. The hydrological model used for the estimations in the study is the BTOPMC model, which is developed based on the TOPMODEL. Under the model structure of BTOPMC, a modified form of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) was incorporated as a core module of the erosion component. In the modification, the runoff ratio, an important determinant of soil erosion, was brought into the USLE equation and consequent modifications were made to the soil erodibility and slope length factors. A concept of total sediment transport capacity for single events is applied in the model to route the surface erosion from each discrete cell to the basin outlet. The BTOPMC model was used in simulating the river discharges and sediment yields for 29 events in the Lushi basin. Its acceptable performance validates the model’s predictive ability in simulating the basin-scale erosions during individual rainstorms.     

Soil Erosion Assessment in a Hilly Catchment of North Eastern India Using USLE, GIS and Remote Sensing

In the present study, soil erosion assessment of Dikrong river basin of Arunachal Pradesh (India) was carried out. The river basin was divided into 200 × 200 m grid cells. The Arc Info 7.2 GIS software and RS (ERDAS IMAGINE 8.4 image processing software) provided spatial input data and the USLE was used to predict the spatial distribution of the average annual soil loss on grid basis. The average rainfall erositivity factor (R) for Dikrong river basin was found to be 1,894.6 MJ mm ha⁻¹ h⁻¹ year⁻¹. The soil erodibility factor (K) with a magnitude of 0.055 t ha h ha⁻¹ MJ⁻¹ mm⁻¹ is the highest, with 0.039 t ha h ha⁻¹ MJ⁻¹ mm⁻¹ is the least for the watershed. The highest and lowest value of slope length factor (LS) is 53.5 and 5.39 respectively for the watershed. The highest and lowest values of crop management factor (C) were found out to be 0.004 and 1.0 respectively for the watershed. The highest and lowest value of conservation factor (P) were found to be 1 and 0.28 respectively for the watershed. The average annual soil loss of the Dikrong river basin is 51 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. About 25.61% of the watershed area is found out to be under slight erosion class. Areas covered by moderate, high, very high, severe and very severe erosion potential zones are 26.51%, 17.87%, 13.74%, 2.39% and 13.88% respectively. Therefore, these areas need immediate attention from soil conservation point of view.     

GIS Based Estimation of Sediment Discharge and Areas of Soil Erosion and Deposition for the Torrential Lukovska River Catchment in Serbia

In the present study the SHETRAN river basin modelling system was used in conjunction with Geographic Information System (GIS) to estimate potential erosion and deposition rates within the catchment and the concentrations of sediment in a flow at the catchment outlet on the example of the 114.31 km² mountainous torrential Lukovska River catchment in Serbia. The streams in the Lukovska River catchment are short, steep and often produce hazardous torrential floods as a consequence of strong rainfall of short duration. The soil erosion and sediment discharge were analysed in view of the catchment response to physical characteristics of the catchment. Considering that the most of total annual sediment discharge in watersheds of torrential character is achieved during storm events, the SHETRAN modelling system was calibrated on the example of a storm event in 1986 and validated for three other storm events in 1974, 1976 and 1979. The simulated results of discharges and sediment concentrations at the catchment outlet for both calibration and validation events were compared with the observed data and found to be reasonable. The changes of erosion and deposition rates within the catchment and in the course of time were estimated for the calibration event in 1986. The simulated erosion rates were within the range of 1 to 10.5 t/ha and corresponded to the observed rates of erosion in Europe during extreme rain events. The presented methodology is useful in identifying the erosion vulnerable regions in a catchment where erosion control measures should be implemented.     

Estimating Sediment Budget at a River Basin Scale Using a Process-Based Distributed Modelling Approach

The paper presents a process-based distributed modelling approach for estimating sediment budget at a river basin scale with partitions of suspended and bed loads by simulating sediment loads and their interactions. In this approach, a river basin is represented by hillslopes and a network of channels. Hillslopes are divided into an array of homogeneous grid cells for modelling surface runoff and suspended sediments. Channels are defined by incorporating flow hydraulic properties into the respective hillslope grids as sub-grid attributes for modelling both suspended and bed loads. Suspended sediment transport is modelled using one dimensional kinematic wave approximation of Saint-Venant’s principles of conservation of mass and momentum. Transport capacity of runoff or streamflow is used to set the limit of suspended sediment transport rate. Bed load in channels is estimated based on the instantaneous water and hydraulic parameters. Fractional interchange between suspended load and bed load is then back calculated. The performance of the model was evaluated through a case study application in a large river basin in Japan. The model satisfactorily calculated the sediment transport and total sediment budget in the basin. The simulated bed load was found to be reasonable and consistent with the water flow and suspended sediment flux. The results showed the bed load can be expressed as a linear function of the suspended load. The fractions of different sediment loads also exhibit linear relationships with water discharge for the rising and recession limbs of the flood hydrographs. The case study has demonstrated that the process-based distributed modelling approach can efficiently describe the basin-scale sediment budgets with due consideration of the suspended and bed loads and their interactions in the hillslopes and channels.     

小浪底库区管道排沙方案排沙效果分析

根据小浪底库区管道排沙方案设计参数,计算了大、小两种方案情况下的年清淤量,分析了各自的排沙单价.结果表明:大方案清淤范围为25 km,年清淤量为3亿t,排沙单价为1.06元/t;小方案清淤范围为5 km,年清淤量为0.6亿t,排沙单价为0.93元/t.     

Evaluation of Sediment Transport Capacity Equations Using Basin Scale Process-Based Sediment Dynamic Modelling Approach

Most process-based sediment dynamic models are based on the concept of sediment transport capacity (TC) of flow. Relationships between sediment TC and its characterized variables are found to vary widely, depending on the characteristics of a watershed and the underlying hydrological processes. This study has aimed to incorporate various widely used sediment transport capacity equations (TCEs) in a process-based sediment dynamic model, and to evaluate their relative performances in estimating suspended sediment dynamics at a river basin scale. The paper describes the modelling approaches and their application to a case study area (Abukuma River Basin, Japan), and then elaborates various parameters used in different TCEs with their useful impacts on modelling outcomes. The results of the case study have demonstrated that some of the TCEs are not suitable for simulating basin scale sediment dynamics. The TCEs that consist of more hydraulic parameters representing the flow and sediment transport processes have produced better outcomes.     

基于典型次洪泥沙动力学过程的岔巴沟流域水沙关系分析

为准确把握岔巴沟流域径流泥沙变化趋势并分析其原因,以岔巴沟流域1970—2016年98场洪水输沙过程为研究对象,通过分析不同年代次洪输沙量,阐明了次洪水输沙动力学过程。结果表明:岔巴沟流域近50 a来次洪输沙滞回曲线模式主要表现为顺时针型、逆时针型、8字型、复杂型4种,4种模式中逆时针型所占比例和次洪输沙量最大,顺时针型所占比例最小,但平均洪峰流量和平均输沙峰值最高,复杂型洪水平均持续时间最长。不同年代次洪输沙频率表现为1980—1989年间洪水输沙滞回曲线以逆时针型为主,其次为复杂型洪水,2006年以来逆时针型和复杂型洪水数量大幅减少,8字型洪水数量增多; 出现这种现象可能是由于岔巴沟流域自20世纪70年代以来开展小流域综合治理,各种水土保持措施在1970—1989年间产生较强的作用,但2000年后,由于长期使用后产生淤满和损坏等状况,效力逐渐降低,对岔巴沟流域整体的水沙输移模式产生影响。     

Estimating Sediment Loadings in the South Saskatchewan River Catchment

Water Resources Management - In river catchments, sediment fluxes facilitate the transport of nutrients and pollutants and reduce water quality, potentially impacting water body health and altering...     

A Combined Methodology for Transboundary River Basin Management in Europe. Application in The Nestos–Mesta Catchment Area

Water management has been the focus of research, not only because of water scarcity, but also as a result of its sharing across national boundaries. Approximately 40% of the global population lives in tranboundary water basins, shared by more than one country, emphasizing the need for concerted management of transboundary water bodies and harmonization of policies. Under this view, water should be managed in an internationalized way, integrating methodologies and techniques used in natural as well as social sciences. Public participation and information are vital procedural safeguards of transboundary water recourses management and sustainable regional development. The paper presents a combined methodology based on traditional engineering oriented tools on the one hand and interactive public participation procedures on the other, applied in the Greek–Bulgarian transboundary Mesta/Nestos river basin.     

Runoff and Sediment Yield Modelling for a Treated Hilly Watershed in Eastern Himalaya Using the Water Erosion Prediction Project Model

The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) watershed model was calibrated and validated for a hilly watershed treated with graded bunding and water-harvesting tank in high rainfall condition of eastern Himalayan range in India. The performance of the model for the treated watershed was unacceptable with percent deviation of −45.81 and −38.35 respectively for runoff and sediment yield simulations when calibrated parameter values for the nearby untreated watershed were used. This was possibly due to differences in soil properties and average land slope. When soil parameters were calibrated for the treated watershed, the model performance improved remarkably. During calibration, the model simulated surface runoff and sediment yield with percent deviations equal to +6.24 and +9.02, and Nash–Sutcliffe simulation coefficients equal to 0.85 and 0.81, respectively. During validation period, the model simulated runoff and sediment yield with percent deviations equal to +8.56 and +9.36, and Nash–Sutcliffe simulation coefficients equal to 0.81 and 0.80, respectively. The model tended to slightly under-predict runoff and sediment yield of higher magnitudes. The model performance was quite sensitive to soil parameters namely, rill erodibility, interrill erodibility, hydraulic conductivity, critical shear stress and Manning’s roughness coefficient with varying levels. The WEPP model picked up the hydrology associated with bund and water-harvesting tank, and simulated runoff and sediment yield well with overall deviations within ±10% and Nash–Sutcliffe simulation coefficients >0.80. Simulation results indicate that in high slope and high rainfall conditions of eastern Himalayan region of India where vegetative measures are not adequate to restrict soil loss within the permissible limit, the WEPP model can be applied to formulate structure-based management strategies to control soil loss and to develop water resources.     

泥沙输移比问题的分析研究

泥沙输移比定义一直存在着不够准确清晰的缺点，对泥沙输移比概念及其影响因素进行了更深入的探讨是非常有必要的。首次在泥沙输移比公式中引入粒径、时段因子，利用量纲分析推求了不同区域的泥沙输移比公式。从理论上阐明泥沙输移比并不是单纯与整个流域面积成反比，而是与流域产沙面积成反比     

TOPMODEL for Streamflow Simulation of a Tropical Catchment Using Different Resolutions of ASTER DEM: Optimization Through Response Surface Methodology

The unavailability of proper hydrological data quality combined with the complexity of most physical based hydrologic models limits research on rainfall-runoff relationships, particularly in the tropics. In this paper, an attempt has been made to use different resolutions of DEM generated from freely available 30 m-based ASTER imagery as primary input to the topographically-based hydrological (TOPMODEL) model to simulate the runoff of a medium catchment located in the tropics. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the most sensitive parameters for streamflow simulation. DEM resolutions from 30 to 300 m have been used to assess their effects on the topographic index distribution (TI) and TOPMODEL simulation. It is found that changing DEM resolutions reduces the TOPMODEL simulation performance as the resolutions are varied from 30 to 300 m. The study concluded that the ASTER 30 m DEM can be used for reasonable streamflow simulation of a data scarce tropical catchment compared with the resampled DEMs.     

Estimation of Potential Soil Erosion for River Perkerra Catchment in Kenya

River Perkerra catchment with an area of 1207 km² is drained by River Perkerra, which is one of the rivers flowing into Lake Baringo whose drainage area is 6820 km². The lake is in a semi-arid area of Kenya. Its depth has reduced from 8 m in 1972 to 2.5 m in 2003 due to siltation resulting from high erosion rates in the catchment. The entire catchment is characterised by very steep slopes on the hillsides and gentle slopes in the middle and lower reaches where the surface is bare with very little undergrowth. Interventions to control soil erosion in this fragile ecosystem have been limited partly because of lack of data on erosion and its spatial distribution. In the present study, Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) was used in conjunction with GIS Arc/Info and Integrated Land and Water Information Systems (ILWIS) to estimate potential soil loss from River Perkerra catchment. Various physical parameters of the equation were derived by analysing spatial data and processing Landsat TM satellite imagery of the catchment. The estimated potential soil erosion from the catchment was 1.73 million tonnes/year while the sediment yield at the catchment outlet was found to be 1.47 million tonnes/year. The sediment delivery ratio derived using an empirical equation was 0.83. This figure indicates that a higher proportion of sediments generated in the catchment is delivered at the outlet. The use of GIS enabled the results of erosion potential to be mapped back onto the catchment. This is useful in identifying priority areas that require urgent management interventions in controlling soil erosion.     

Unsteady Flow Simulation and Erosion Assessment in a Ditch Network of a Drained Peatland Forest Catchment in Eastern Finland

We developed and applied a computational model for simulating unsteady flow in a drainage network of a boreal forested peatland site. The input to the model was the hourly runoff produced by a hydrological model. The simulations of the flow in the ditch network were performed using an iterative procedure for solving the Saint-Venant equations that govern the flow in each of the network channels. These equations were solved separately for each ditch branch, and the flow depths at the junctions were corrected using the method of characteristics. The model was applied to the drainage network of a peatland catchment in Eastern Finland over a period of 15 months. Because flow resistance in the ditches depended strongly on flow conditions, flow resistance (Manning’s n) was introduced as a function of discharge. The model was calibrated and validated against field data and the simulation results were further applied to assess erosion risk. The highest risk of erosion occurred during long lasting flows induced by snowmelt at ditch sections with a steep slope and a large upstream area. These model results can aid in the design and siting of water protection measures within the drained area.     

长江上游流域地表侵蚀与河流泥沙输移

在丰富的野外考察、调查及实测资料基础上,将长江上游流域地表侵蚀与河流输沙作为一个完整系统,综合分析了地表物质的侵蚀～堆积～归槽～输移过程,探讨了流域产沙特性及泥沙运动规律。     

长江上游泥沙输移比初探

首先阐述泥沙输移比界定的三个条件一是粒级 ,二是时间 ,三是空间 ,在此基础上讨论了长江上游泥沙输移比研究中存在的主要问题是缺少可靠的侵蚀产沙量 ,对悬移质和推移质的分界线不明确 ,对坡面侵蚀产沙和重力侵蚀产沙在总输沙量中的权重缺少量的概念 ;针对上述问题对河道及沟道泥沙输移比的推理分析 ,再根据反映泥沙输移比的形态指标的定性分析 ,认为长江上游除丘陵宽谷区泥沙输移比会小于 0 .5外 ,高中山区长时段的泥沙输移比都接近 1(不包括泥石流在内的重力侵蚀 )。     

Spatial and Temporal Variabilities of Sediment Delivery Ratio

Sediment contribution of specific areas of a watershed is an important consideration, but one that is often overlooked, when developing watershed management plans. Understanding sediment delivery to the watershed outlet is one method for identifying high contribution areas. In this study, a new methodology for calculating individual subbasin sediment delivery ratio (SDR) was developed within the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for two Michigan watersheds. Subbasins with the greatest SDR had two defining characteristics: high erosion rates and close proximity to the watershed outlet. The impact of best management practice (BMP) implementation (no-tillage and Conservation Reserve Program) on sediment yield reduction at the watershed outlet was compared for two targeting methods (SDR and erosion rate). Identifying SDR of individual subbasins for implementation of BMPs is more effective method for addressing water quality concerns at the watershed outlet than the widely used targeting high risk erosion areas. Watershed SDR was found to be highly variable on a monthly basis, due to changes in sediment yield, which is in turn affected by factors such as precipitation and surface runoff. Finally, watershed SDR calculated using the physically-based SWAT model was compared to four empirically-based areal relationships with SDR. While some area methods reproduced the SWAT-SDR, the variations between areal methods indicate that more detailed physical characteristics should be considered in watershed SDR calculation.     

径流侵蚀功率理论在不同尺度坡面侵蚀产沙中的应用

基于次暴雨洪水过程中径流深、洪峰流量模数2个的重要水文特征参数,提出了用以描述坡面次暴雨水蚀动力的径流侵蚀功率的概念,并以岔巴沟流域团山沟不同空间尺度径流场历年实测次暴雨径流泥沙资料为基础,分析了径流侵蚀功率与坡面径流场次暴雨侵蚀模数之间的相关性,提出了适用于坡面次暴雨侵蚀产沙计算的基于径流侵蚀功率的坡面次暴雨水沙响应关系.研究结果表明:径流侵蚀功率与坡面次暴雨侵蚀模数之间存在极显著的幂函数相关关系,径流侵蚀功率可以较好地表征坡面次暴雨水力侵蚀动力.本研究成果可为黄土高原坡面次暴雨侵蚀产沙模型侵蚀动力因子的确定提供参考.