AKSUM UNIVERSITY

School of Water Technology

Department of WRIE
Individual Assignment for the course SWCE (WRIE 4164)
Submission Date: 05/05/2025
1. How can we measure soil loss from erosion plot? Your discussion should be
supported with example?
2. What is standard erosion plot? Discuss in relation to the parameters in USLE?
3. How splash erosion can be measured in laboratory and in field level?
4. Discuss the limitations of USLE?
5. On the land which is continuously fallow and tilled, none of the conservation
practices (contouring, strip cropping and terracing) were practiced. Hence, Determine:
a) Erosivity ,R with Wischmeier and Hudson methods?
b) annual soil loss in tones per ha per year, using the following data of the area.
Table: Mass curve reading from recording raingauge
Time since 3:00 3:20 3:27 3:30 3:44 3:57 4:00 4:10 4:20
beginning of RF
(pm)
Cumulative 0 1 3 9 24 30 31 31 34
RF(mm)
erodibility K = 0.25
Slope length = 18 m Slope steepness = 15%
 Use universal soil loss equation
6. Given the following data,
a) Calculate the average annual soil loss in tones/ha/year and write your conclusion.
 RF erosivity factor (R) = 200 MJ*mm/hr*ha
 Soil erodibility factor (K) = 0.34 t*ha*hr/ha*MJ*mm
 Slope length = 22.13 m
 Slope steepness = 9%
 Bare soil ( no surface coverage)
 Tilled up and down ( no conservation practice)
b. Keeping other values as given above; by how much percent will increase the
erosion if the slope length is increased by 100%?
7. A plot of 20m x 10m was prepared to estimate soil loss from agricultural fields. Three
containers (A, B, C) were installed to receive runoff water from the plot as shown in
the figure below. To estimate the sediment load within the containers; a sample of
1liter water was taken from each container after string the water vigorously. Finally,
the following data was recorded.
Container Sample taken in liters Filtered & dried sediment
(g)
A 1 3.0
B 1 1.6
C 1 1.4
With this information; calculate the soil loss from a hectare of land found in similar
condition with the plot?
Note: all the containers were full at the time of sampling.
 Plot (20m*10m)

100 lit 200 lit 100 lit

B C
A

1 Answer
Core Answer
1. Soil loss from an erosion plot can be measured by collecting and quantifying the
sediment that runs off the plot over a specific period. This involves installing a
collection system at the bottom of the plot to capture runoff and eroded soil. The
collected sediment is then dried, weighed, and analyzed to determine the amount of
soil loss per unit area.
2. A standard erosion plot is a defined area of land used to measure soil erosion under
controlled conditions. In relation to the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), it helps
determine the soil erodibility factor (K) by isolating the effects of rainfall erosivity
(R), slope length and steepness (LS), cover management (C), and support practices
(P). A standard plot typically has a defined slope length (e.g., 22.13 meters) and
steepness (e.g., 9%) with tilled, bare soil.
3. Splash erosion can be measured in the laboratory using splash cups or trays filled with
soil and subjected to simulated rainfall. The amount of soil splashed out of the cup or
tray is collected and weighed. In the field, splash erosion can be measured using
 splash boards or collectors placed around a stake. The amount of soil adhering to the
board or collected in the collector after a rainfall event is measured.
4. The limitations of the USLE include its inability to predict gully or channel erosion,
its limited applicability to disturbed lands, its reliance on empirical data, and its lack
of consideration for sediment deposition. It also does not account for the effects of
wind erosion or subsurface water flow.
Reasons and Explanations
1. Reason 1: Measuring soil loss directly from erosion plots provides empirical data on
the actual amount of soil being eroded under specific conditions. This is crucial for
validating erosion models and developing effective soil conservation strategies.
Reason 2: The collection system typically consists of a trough or flume at the base of
the plot that channels runoff into collection tanks. The volume of runoff is measured,
and samples are taken to determine sediment concentration. The total soil loss is then
calculated by multiplying the runoff volume by the sediment concentration.
Example: An erosion plot is established on a hillside. After a rainfall event, 50 liters
of runoff are collected, and the sediment concentration is found to be 10 grams per
liter. The total soil loss from the plot is 50 liters * 10 grams/liter = 500 grams. If the
plot area is 10 square meters, the soil loss per unit area is 500 grams / 10 square
meters = 50 grams per square meter.
2. Reason 1: The standard erosion plot serves as a baseline for comparing soil erosion
rates under different land management practices. By controlling the slope length,
steepness, and soil conditions, researchers can isolate the effects of other factors, such
as vegetation cover and tillage practices.
Reason 2: The USLE is an empirical equation used to estimate long-term average soil
loss. The equation is A = R * K * LS * C * P, where A is the estimated soil loss, R is
the rainfall erosivity factor, K is the soil erodibility factor, LS is the slope length and
steepness factor, C is the cover management factor, and P is the support practice
factor. The K factor is often determined using data from standard erosion plots.
3. Reason 1: Laboratory measurements of splash erosion allow for controlled
experiments to investigate the effects of rainfall intensity, drop size, and soil
properties on splash detachment.
Reason 2: Field measurements of splash erosion provide information on the actual
amount of soil being detached by raindrop impact under natural conditions. Splash
boards or collectors are typically arranged around a central stake, and the amount of
 soil splashed onto the board or into the collector is measured after each rainfall event.
The data can be used to estimate the rate of splash erosion and to evaluate the
effectiveness of different soil conservation practices.
4. Reason 1: The USLE is primarily designed to predict sheet and rill erosion on
agricultural lands. It does not account for gully or channel erosion, which can be
significant sources of soil loss in some landscapes.
Reason 2: The USLE is an empirical equation based on data collected from
agricultural fields in the United States. Its applicability to other regions and land uses
may be limited.
Reason 3: The USLE does not consider sediment deposition. It only estimates the
amount of soil being eroded from a particular location, not the amount of sediment
being transported downstream.
Reason 4: The USLE relies on average values for rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility,
and cover management. It does not account for the effects of individual storms or
short-term changes in land management practices.
Summary
1. Soil loss from erosion plots is measured by collecting and quantifying the sediment in
runoff. This provides empirical data for validating erosion models and developing soil
conservation strategies.
2. A standard erosion plot is a defined area used to measure soil erosion under controlled
conditions, helping determine the soil erodibility factor (K) in the USLE.
3. Splash erosion can be measured in the laboratory using splash cups or trays and in the
field using splash boards or collectors.
4. The USLE has limitations, including its inability to predict gully erosion, its limited
applicability to disturbed lands, its reliance on empirical data, and its lack of
consideration for sediment deposition.

5. Ideas for Solving the Problem

Wischmeier Method for Erosivity (R): This method typically involves using rainfall data to
calculate the EI30 index, which represents the rainfall erosion potential. EI30 is the product
of the total storm energy (E) and the maximum 30-minute rainfall intensity (I30).
Hudson Method for Erosivity (R): This method uses the kinetic energy of rainfall to estimate
erosivity. The formula often involves summing the kinetic energy of each rainfall event over
a year. Since we only have data for a single storm, we'll adapt the formula to estimate the
erosivity for this specific event.
Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE): The USLE is A = R * K * LS * C * P, where A is the
annual soil loss, R is the rainfall erosivity factor, K is the soil erodibility factor, LS is the
slope length and steepness factor, C is the cover management factor, and P is the support
practice factor. In this case, C = 1 and P = 1 because the land is continuously fallow and tilled
with no conservation practices.
Calculating I30: We need to find the maximum 30-minute rainfall intensity from the given
data.
Calculating E (Kinetic Energy): We need to calculate the kinetic energy of the rainfall. A
common formula is E = Σ (ei * vi), where ei is the kinetic energy per unit rainfall and vi is the
rainfall amount for a given time interval. A common approximation for ei is ei = 29.8 -
127.5/I, where I is the rainfall intensity in mm/hr. However, a simpler approximation, E =
0.017 * I * Rainfall Amount (mm) can also be used.
Calculating LS Factor: The LS factor combines the effects of slope length (L) and slope
steepness (S). A common formula is LS = (L/22.13)^m * (65.41sin^2(θ) + 4.56sin(θ) +
0.065), where L is the slope length in meters, θ is the slope angle in degrees, and m is an
exponent that depends on the slope. A simplified approximation is LS = (L/22.13)^0.5 *
(S/9)^0.5, where S is the slope in percent.
Calculation Steps
Step 1: Calculate I30 (Maximum 30-minute Rainfall Intensity)
We need to find the maximum rainfall amount within any 30-minute interval.

3:00 to 3:30: 9 mm in 30 minutes. Intensity = 9 mm / 0.5 hr = 18 mm/hr

3:20 to 3:50 (approximate): (30-1) = 29 mm in 30 minutes. Intensity = 29 mm / 0.5 hr = 58
mm/hr
3:27 to 3:57: (30-3) = 27 mm in 30 minutes. Intensity = 27 mm / 0.5 hr = 54 mm/hr
3:30 to 4:00: (31-9) = 22 mm in 30 minutes. Intensity = 22 mm / 0.5 hr = 44 mm/hr
3:44 to 4:14 (approximate): (31-24) = 7 mm in 30 minutes. Intensity = 7 mm / 0.5 hr = 14
mm/hr
3:57 to 4:27 (approximate): (34-30) = 4 mm in 30 minutes. Intensity = 4 mm / 0.5 hr = 8
mm/hr
Therefore, the maximum 30-minute rainfall intensity (I30) = 58 mm/hr.
Step 2: Calculate E (Total Storm Energy) using the approximation E = 0.017 * I * Rainfall
Amount (mm) for each interval and sum them.
3:00 - 3:20: Rainfall = 1 mm, Time = 20 min, Intensity = 1 mm / (20/60) hr = 3 mm/hr, E =
0.017 * 3 * 1 = 0.051
3:20 - 3:27: Rainfall = 2 mm, Time = 7 min, Intensity = 2 mm / (7/60) hr = 17.14 mm/hr, E =
0.017 * 17.14 * 2 = 0.583
3:27 - 3:30: Rainfall = 6 mm, Time = 3 min, Intensity = 6 mm / (3/60) hr = 120 mm/hr, E =
0.017 * 120 * 6 = 12.24
3:30 - 3:44: Rainfall = 15 mm, Time = 14 min, Intensity = 15 mm / (14/60) hr = 64.29
mm/hr, E = 0.017 * 64.29 * 15 = 16.39
3:44 - 3:57: Rainfall = 6 mm, Time = 13 min, Intensity = 6 mm / (13/60) hr = 27.69 mm/hr, E
= 0.017 * 27.69 * 6 = 2.83
3:57 - 4:00: Rainfall = 1 mm, Time = 3 min, Intensity = 1 mm / (3/60) hr = 20 mm/hr, E =
0.017 * 20 * 1 = 0.34
4:00 - 4:10: Rainfall = 0 mm, E = 0
4:10 - 4:20: Rainfall = 3 mm, Time = 10 min, Intensity = 3 mm / (10/60) hr = 18 mm/hr, E =
0.017 * 18 * 3 = 0.918
Total E = 0.051 + 0.583 + 12.24 + 16.39 + 2.83 + 0.34 + 0 + 0.918 = 33.352 MJ/ha

Step 3: Calculate Erosivity (R) using Wischmeier Method: R = EI30

R = E * I30 = 33.352 MJ/ha * 58 mm/hr = 1934.42 MJ mm / ha hr

Step 4: Calculate Erosivity (R) using Hudson Method.

Hudson's method typically involves summing the kinetic energy of rainfall. Since we only
have data for one storm, we'll use the total kinetic energy calculated in Step 2 as an estimate
of the erosivity for this event.

R = Total E = 33.352 MJ/ha

Step 5: Calculate LS Factor

Slope length (L) = 18 m
Slope steepness (S) = 15%
LS = (L/22.13)^0.5 * (S/9)^0.5 = (18/22.13)^0.5 * (15/9)^0.5 = (0.813)^0.5 * (1.667)^0.5 =
0.902 * 1.291 = 1.165

Step 6: Calculate Annual Soil Loss (A) using USLE

A = R * K * LS * C * P
K = 0.25
C=1
P=1

Using Wischmeier R: A = 1934.42 * 0.25 * 1.165 * 1 * 1 = 563.85 tonnes/ha/year

Using Hudson R: A = 33.352 * 0.25 * 1.165 * 1 * 1 = 9.72 tonnes/ha/year
Final Answer
a) Erosivity (R) using Wischmeier method: 1934.42 MJ mm / ha hr
Erosivity (R) using Hudson method: 33.352 MJ/ha

b) Annual soil loss (A) using Wischmeier R: 563.85 tonnes/ha/year

Annual soil loss (A) using Hudson R: 9.72 tonnes/ha/year

6. Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE): The USLE is used to estimate the average annual
soil loss. The equation is A = R * K * LS * C * P, where A is the average annual soil loss, R
is the rainfall erosivity factor, K is the soil erodibility factor, LS is the slope length and
steepness factor, C is the cover and management factor, and P is the support practice factor.

LS Factor Calculation: The LS factor combines the effects of slope length (L) and slope
steepness (S). A common approximation is: LS = (L/22.13)^m * (65.41sin^2(θ) + 4.56sin(θ)
+ 0.065), where L is the slope length in meters, θ is the slope angle in degrees, and m is an
exponent that depends on the slope. A simplified version often used is LS = (L/22.13)^0.5 *
(0.76 + 0.53s + 0.076s^2) where s is the slope in percent. Since the slope is given as a
percentage, we will use the simplified version.

C and P Factors: Since the soil is bare (no surface coverage), the C factor is 1. Since there are
no conservation practices (tilled up and down), the P factor is 1.

Percentage Increase Calculation: To calculate the percentage increase in erosion due to an

increase in slope length, we will first calculate the soil loss with the original slope length,
then calculate the soil loss with the increased slope length, and finally calculate the
percentage difference.

Calculation Steps

Step 1: Calculate the LS factor for the original slope length.

LS = (L/22.13)^0.5 * (0.76 + 0.53s + 0.076s^2)

L = 22.13 m

s = 9% = 0.09

LS = (22.13/22.13)^0.5 * (0.76 + 0.539 + 0.0769^2)

LS = 1 * (0.76 + 4.77 + 6.156)

LS = 11.686

Step 2: Calculate the average annual soil loss (A) for the original slope length.

A = R * K * LS * C * P

R = 200 MJmm/hrha

K = 0.34 thahr/haMJmm

LS = 11.686

C=1

P=1

A = 200 * 0.34 * 11.686 * 1 * 1

A = 794.648 t/ha/year

Step 3: Calculate the new slope length after a 100% increase.

New slope length = Original slope length + (100% of Original slope length)

New slope length = 22.13 + (1 * 22.13)

New slope length = 22.13 + 22.13

New slope length = 44.26 m

Step 4: Calculate the LS factor for the new slope length.

LS_new = (L_new/22.13)^0.5 * (0.76 + 0.53s + 0.076s^2)

L_new = 44.26 m

s = 9% = 0.09

LS_new = (44.26/22.13)^0.5 * (0.76 + 0.539 + 0.0769^2)

LS_new = (2)^0.5 * (0.76 + 4.77 + 6.156)

LS_new = 1.414 * 11.686

LS_new = 16.524

Step 5: Calculate the average annual soil loss (A_new) for the new slope length.

A_new = R * K * LS_new * C * P

R = 200 MJmm/hrha

K = 0.34 thahr/haMJmm

LS_new = 16.524

C=1

P=1

A_new = 200 * 0.34 * 16.524 * 1 * 1

A_new = 1123.632 t/ha/year

Step 6: Calculate the percentage increase in erosion.

Percentage increase = ((A_new - A) / A) * 100

Percentage increase = ((1123.632 - 794.648) / 794.648) * 100

Percentage increase = (328.984 / 794.648) * 100

Percentage increase = 0.4139 * 100

Percentage increase = 41.39%

Final Answer

a) The average annual soil loss is 794.648 t/ha/year. This is a very high rate of soil loss,
indicating severe erosion.

b) The erosion will increase by 41.39% if the slope length is increased by 100%.

Highlights

The USLE is a widely used tool for estimating soil loss.

The LS factor is sensitive to changes in slope length and steepness.

Bare soil and lack of conservation practices significantly increase soil erosion.

A 100% increase in slope length leads to a substantial increase in soil erosion.

The calculated soil loss is extremely high, indicating a critical need for soil conservation
measures.