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Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2 - Download RUSLE2
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Download RUSLE2

 RUSLE2 Templates:

An advantage of RUSLE2 is that it can be configured to fit the application, complexity of the field conditions being represented, and individual preferences. The RUSLE2 interface templates are used to control the appearance and action of RUSLE2 as well as the required input and the output that is displayed.

RUSLE2 is also available from other sources, including the University of Tennessee and USDA-NRCS. RUSLE2 versions from other sources may appear to differ from the one that you download from this site because of differences in the templates used to configure RUSLE2. Although the various RUSLE2 versions may appear to differ, they use the same computational procedures. As you become familiar with RUSLE2, you can reconfigure RUSLE2 yourself by modifying your own RUSLE2 templates. Also, you can obtain templates from other users.

RUSLE2 generates much more information than is displayed with the templates available from this site. Contact Robert Wells if you have a special need for information available in RUSLE2 that is not being displayed by the templates available at this site.

RUSLE2 Compilation of Files:

The compilation of RUSLE2 computer files that are available for download from this internet site includes the RUSLE2 computer program, RUSLE2 templates, and database files needed to run RUSLE2. The files include two abbreviated databases that are just alike. You can use the one, named "moses" as your working database and the other one name "moses ARS" as a guide to assist you in creating database entries specific to your application. Delete the information from your working database that you don't need. Be sure to archive the moses ARS database.

The moses ARS database included with the download includes data specifically for highly disturbed land and representative values for cropland. It includes information that can be used to run the examples in the USDI-OSM manual for RUSLE1.06 (see Documentation section).

The climate values in the moses ARS database are average values for counties in the eastern US. Corresponding values in the western US are for specific locations rather than being averages for counties.

NRCS National RUSLE2 Database:

The NRCS National RUSLE2 Database is extensive and has been carefully developed. It is the source of the database information used by NRCS field office personnel. This database is available at http://fargo.nserl.purdue.edu/rusle2_dataweb/RUSLE2_Index.htm.

Cover-management entries in the NRCS RUSLE2 database are keyed to NRCS cropping-management zones. The NRCS cropping-management zones (CMZ) are identified on a map available on the NRCS RUSLE2 Internet site http://fargo.nserl.purdue.edu/rusle2_dataweb/RUSLE2_Index.htm.  To import NRCS (CMZs) into an ARS database requires two steps.  First, the CMZ must be imported into the NRCS Base database (http://fargo.nserl.purdue.edu/RUSLE2_ftp/NRCS_Base_Database/), and then the CMZ data must be imported from the modified base database into the ARS database with the "include all dependent files" option checked.  This two step process is needed because all the NRCS vegetation and operation descriptions are located in the NRCS base database and are not included in the individual CMZ databases. 

The NRCS database is primarily for cropland applications. It also contains extensive information on climate and soils needed to apply RUSLE2 to any land use. Even though you may not be interested in the cropland data in the NRCS database, you will certainly need the climate data in the NRCS database.

If you are working with cropland soils and similar soils, you will also need the NRCS soils data from the NRCS national RUSLE2 database. The soil's information in the NRCS database is keyed to the NRCS Soil Survey. Contact your local NRCS field office for a copy of a soil survey for your county. If you have NRCS soil survey information, you can create your own RUSLE2 soil entries for your working database. If you are working with highly disturbed lands, refer to the draft RUSLE2 Reference User Guide for information on how to obtain the necessary RUSLE2 soils inputs.

User Instructions:

A Summary RUSLE2 User Manual is available on this Internet site to get you started on using RUSLE2.  Tutorials specific to the NRCS applications are available on the NRCS RUSLE2 Internet site http://fargo.nserl.purdue.edu/rusle2_dataweb/RUSLE2_Index.htm.

Overview of RUSLE2:

A power point file is available for download on this Internet site, including speaker notes, provides an overview of RUSLE2. 

Reference User Guide:

The Reference User Guide available for download on this Internet site is an in-depth reference guide. It is incomplete and in draft form. The final version of the Reference User Guide is expected to be available by late 2003. It uses semi-technical language to describe in detail how RUSLE2 works, how RUSLE2 represents the factors that affect soil erosion by rainfall and associated runoff, how to select RUSLE2 input values, and how to interpret RUSLE2 output. If you would like additional information on RUSLE2 that is not covered in the Reference User Guide, contact Robert Wells.

To download and install:

  1. Click on the button for the files that you wish to download, and save the self-extracting zip file to a temporary location on your hard drive.
  2. Run the executable to extract the included files. (You may accept the default subdirectory, or specify one of your choice).

Downloadable files

  

RUSLE2 2022

RUSLE2 Science, 2010

RUSLE2 May 20, 2008

Reference User Guide

Science Documentation, PDF