Location: Watershed Physical Processes Research
Project Number: 6060-13000-029-017-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jul 31, 2021
End Date: Jul 30, 2026
Objective:
Assess ephemeral gully erosion sources and contributions from CEAP watersheds and evaluate the impact conservation practices have on reducing soil loss from these sources.
Approach:
Studies will be developed to collect soil samples within CEAP watersheds to characterize soil properties and landscape position related to ephemeral gully formation and evolution. Existing databases of agricultural practices, climatic records and runoff and sediment observations will be utilized to determine the past record of ephemeral gully formation. New unmanned aerial vehicle topographic surveys and/or other multispectral surveys will be performed in agricultural fields in Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Maryland, Vermont and Iowa to identify current gullies and distinguish between soil loss from sheet or rill and ephemeral gully sources. Erosion prediction technology will be enhanced using the information obtained on ephemeral gully erosion processes.
