State of Colorado Yampa River Basin Rill and Ephemeral Gully Erosion Study

摘要

The report includes information on rill and ephemeral gully erosion from snowmelt on winter wheat fields in Northwestern Colorado. The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) has not treated snowmelt erosion adequately in the past. Information developed herein will help to illustrate the magnitude of this component of erosion. Some analyses of certain USLE factors were made. The snowmelt process was studied to some extent, however a direct relationship to the erosion process was not made. Ephemeral gully erosion measurements were taken and tested against the Ephemeral Gully Erosion Model (EGEM). The magnitude of the component of erosion is also illustrated. Some observations of the erosion problem as it relates to minimum tillage and farming operations were made. Treatment opportunities along with conclusions and recommendations are discussed. Photographs of high erosion sites are included to illustrate the magnitude of the problem. They can also be used as references for future estimates.