Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Rangeland Resources & Systems Research » Research » Research Project #447160
Research Project: Wind Erosion Prediction Tool for Conservation Planning

Location: Rangeland Resources & Systems Research

Project Number: 3012-21500-001-026-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement

Start Date: Oct 1, 2023
End Date: Sep 30, 2025

Objective:
• Support the recently adopted NRCS WEPS WebStart 1.6 interface and CRLMOD operation, vegetation, and residue database. • Assist with future CRLMOD operation, vegetation, and residue database updates. • Provide technical support for WEPS use issues and bug fixes. • Develop and program new science into the WEPS web-only (Browser WEPS) software interface to perform multiple region wind erosion predictions within a single field, finalize barrier and windbreak science to account for growth and seasonal changes, and add outputs similar to those available in WEPS WebStart 1.6. • Assist with server updates, software migration, and code update activities.

Approach:
1. Provide NRCS post-adoption WEPS WebStart 1.6 technical support, error fixes, and update assistance. 2. Finalize software coding to allow the Browser WEPS interface to perform wind erosion predictions within a single field through use of sub-field predictions that account for different soils and management strategies. This includes adjustments based on FY 2025 testing feedback. 3. Finalize software coding to allow the Browser WEPS model barriers and windbreaks that grow and change seasonally. This includes adjustments based on 2025 testing feedback. 4. Assist with WEPS-associated server updates, software migration, and code update activities. 5. Assist with future CRLMOD operation, vegetation, and residue database updates. 6. Develop a technical document on the methodology and associated science used in the development of the sub-field predictions for wind erosion. 7. Finalize outputs and reports to Browser WEPS. 8. Refine the functionality of both WEPS WebStart 1.6 and Browser WEPS though close collaboration with the NRCS WEPS working group. 9. Participate in a series of knowledge transfer meetings with NRCS and contracted developers which may include, but are not limited to, discussions on the following topics: • Code review • Roles and authentication • User Interface/ User Experience (UI/UeX) • Quality assurance and testing • Deployment and Release steps • User Documentation • Miscellaneous or “other” artifacts • Work in Progress • Application Roadmap