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Title: EVALUATION OF WIND EROSION MODELS FOR USE ON MILITARY TRAINING LANDS

Author
item NELSON, RICHARD - KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
item ANDERSON, ALAN - USAR CONST ENG RES LAB
item Skidmore, Edward

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/21/2000
Publication Date: 2/21/2000
Citation: International Erosion Control Association; 2000. Feb 21 - 25, 2000; Palm Springs, CA.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The ability of lands to accommodate and continually support active military training and testing without serious degradation has been identified as high priority by the Department of Defense. Consequently, the Department of Defense is currently developing the Army Training and Testing Area Carrying Capacity (ATTACC) methodology. However, this methodology has not been applied to those locations at which wind erosion is the predominant erosio mechanism and, in certain instances, failure to account for erosion caused by wind under-estimated land deterioration and over predicted carrying capacity. The objective of this study was (1) to evaluate various wind erosion models according to criteria specified by ATTACC and, (2) to identify modifications to the most appropriate model(s) for use on those military training exercise lands for which wind erosion is the dominant erosion mechanism. Wind erosion models evaluated in this study included the eWind Erosion equation (WEQ), the Revised Wind Erosion equation (RWEQ), Win Erosion Prediction System (WEPS), Environmental Policy Intergrated Climate (EPIC), Wind Erosion Assessment Model (WEAM), and Texas Erosion Assessment Methodology (TEAM). Each model was evaluated according to criteria suggested by ATTACC which included the science behind the model, temporal and spatial domain of the model, erosion process modeled, model accuracy with respect to "real-world" situations, input data requirements (availability and cost), domain of use, potential for further enhancement and long-term support. Based on these criteria and a sensitivity analysis comparing the selected models the WEPS was selected as most appropriate for application to military training lands.