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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Rangeland Resources & Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #331429
Title: Application of the WEPS and SWEEP models to non-agricultural disturbed lands

Author
item Tatarko, John
item VAN DONK, SIMON - Iteris, Inc
item Ascough Ii, James
item WALKER, DAVID - David Walker And Associates

Submitted to: Heliyon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/8/2016
Publication Date: 12/15/2016
Citation: Tatarko, J., Van Donk, S.J., Ascough II, J.C., Walker, D.G. 2016. Application of the WEPS and SWEEP models to non-agricultural disturbed lands. Heliyon. 2(12):e00215. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2016.e00215.

Interpretive Summary: The Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) computer model was developed by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service to simulate wind erosion and conservation planning on cultivated agricultural lands. WEPS simulates soil wind erosion as affected by the climate, soil type, and land management for a specific site. A companion product, known as the Single-Event Wind Erosion Evaluation Program (SWEEP), has also been developed to simulate soil loss from single-day wind storms. In addition to agricultural lands, dust emissions also occur from construction sites, mined and reclaimed areas, landfills, and other disturbed lands. Although developed for agricultural fields, WEPS and SWEEP are useful tools for simulating erosion by wind for non-agricultural lands where typical agricultural practices are not employed. WEPS is suitable for simulating multi-year erosion control strategies while SWEEP can simulate soil loss for planned site- and date-specific surface conditions and control practices. This paper represents an initial effort to demonstrate the use of WEPS and SWEEP for developing erosion control strategies on non-agricultural disturbed lands. Simulation examples presented show typical (i.e., agricultural) WEPS and SWEEP inputs and management files, modified to simulate control practices (including water and other dust suppressants, wind barriers such as snow fencing or hay bales, straw mulch, re-vegetation, and other practices) for non-agricultural conditions. The WEPS and SWEEP models applications presented describe valuable tools for supporting the design of erosion control plans on non-agricultural lands that are not only cost-effective but also incorporate a science-based approach to risk assessment.

Technical Abstract: Wind erosion not only affects agricultural productivity but also soil, air, and water quality. Dust and specifically particulate matter = 10 µm (PM-10) has adverse effects on respiratory health and also reduces visibility along roadways, resulting in auto accidents. The Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) was developed by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service to simulate wind erosion and conservation planning on cultivated agricultural lands. WEPS is a process based, daily-time step model that simulates soil surface erodibility and wind erosion as affected by site-specific climate, soil type, and land management. A companion product, known as the Single-Event Wind Erosion Evaluation Program (SWEEP), has also been developed which consists of the stand-alone WEPS erosion submodel combined with a graphical interface to simulate soil loss from single (i.e., daily) wind storm events. In addition to agricultural lands, dust emissions also occur from construction sites, mined and reclaimed areas, landfills, and other disturbed lands. Although developed for agricultural fields, WEPS and SWEEP are useful tools for simulating erosion by wind for non-agricultural lands where typical agricultural practices are not employed. WEPS is suitable for simulating long-term (i.e., multi-year) erosion control strategies while SWEEP can simulate potential soil loss for site- and date-specific planned surface conditions and control practices. This paper represents an initial effort to demonstrate WEPS and SWEEP for developing erosion control strategies on non-agricultural disturbed lands. Comparative simulation scenarios are presented where typical (i.e., agricultural) WEPS and SWEEP inputs and management and operation files have been modified to simulate control practices (including water and other dust suppressants, wind barriers such as silt and snow fencing or hay bales, straw mulch, re-vegetation, and other practices) for non-agricultural conditions. The WEPS and SWEEP models described herein are valuable tools for supporting the design of erosion control plans that are not only cost-effective but also incorporate a science-based approach to risk assessment.