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

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 st...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrological processes 2009-10, Vol.23 (21), p.2997-3005
Main Authors: Pandey, A, Chowdary, V.M, Mal, B.C, Billib, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
best management practices
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Freshwater
hydrological modelling
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
prioritization
watershed
WEPP model
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Summary: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. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley '' Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:0885-6087
1099-1085
DOI:10.1002/hyp.7411