Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #64040
Title: THE WATER EROSION PREDICTION PROJECT (WEPP) MODELS FOR USE IN NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Author
item Flanagan, Dennis
item Ascough Ii, James
item Nearing, Mark
item Laflen, John
item Livingston, Stanley

Submitted to: Workshop on Computer Applications in Water Management Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: USDA has been developing new generation process-based erosion prediction technology the past 10 years to replace the empirically-based USLE & RUSLE approaches. The WEPP models are distributed parameter, continuous simulation, erosion prediction computer programs for use on PCs. When fully implemented by the action agencies (SCS, FS, BLM), databases for every county in the U.S. will be available containing necessary climate, soils, & vegetation parameters needed by the WEPP models to estimate erosion/sediment loss. Site specific info on topography & mgmt. practices will be supplied by the user. In addition to providing detailed estimates of long-term runoff, erosion, & sediment yield for various mgmt. strategies, WEPP also provides an excellent platform for water quality models which may eventually be linked to it. WEPP components include climate generation, irrigation, surface hydrology, subsurface hydrology, soil disturbance by tillage, plant growth, residue decomposition/mgmt., soil detachment, sediment transport & deposition. User-friendly interfaces allow easy organization of WEPP simulation runs, construction of input data files, & viewing and interpretation of output results. The WEPP package provides a natural resource mgr. with a powerful tools to determine how much runoff, erosion, & sediment can potentially be produced at a particular location, & what the impacts will be of implementing alternative land management strategies. The purpose of this presentation and computer program demonstration will be to familiarize the audience with the science which is incorporated into the WEPP models, as well as demonstrate the usefulness of the WEPP technology for those involved in natural resource mgmt. & assessment.