Watershed-based soil erosion and sediment yield modeling in the Rib watershed of the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia
Berhanu G. Sinshaw,
Abreham M. Belete,
Belachew M. Mekonen,
Tesgaye G. Wubetu,
Tegenu L. Anley,
Wolelaw D. Alamneh,
Haimanot B. Atinkut,
Abay A. Gelaye,
Tenaw Bilkew,
Agumase K. Tefera,
Abebe Birara Dessie,
Habtamu M. Fenta,
Agumas M. Beyene,
Belay B. Bizuneh,
Habtamu T. Alem,
Daniel G. Eshete,
Simir B. Atanaw,
Mekuanent A. Tebkew,
Mengistie Mossie Birhanu
Affiliations
Berhanu G. Sinshaw
School of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia; Faculty of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 26, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.
Abreham M. Belete
School of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.
Belachew M. Mekonen
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Fogera National Rice Research and Training Centre, Woreta 190, Ethiopia
Tesgaye G. Wubetu
School of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia
Tegenu L. Anley
Department of Construction Engineering and Management, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia
Wolelaw D. Alamneh
Department of Construction Engineering and Management, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia
Haimanot B. Atinkut
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia; College of Economics and Management, Huazhong Agricultural University, Hubei Wuhan, 430070, P.R. China; Corresponding author.
Abay A. Gelaye
School of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia
Tenaw Bilkew
Ethiopian Construction Work Corporation, Addis Ababa 21952 , Ethiopia
Agumase K. Tefera
School of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia; Faculty of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 26, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.
Abebe Birara Dessie
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia
Habtamu M. Fenta
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia
Agumas M. Beyene
School of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia
Belay B. Bizuneh
Department of Hydraulic and Water Resource Engineering, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos 269, Ethiopia
Habtamu T. Alem
School of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia
Daniel G. Eshete
School of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia
Simir B. Atanaw
School of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia
Mekuanent A. Tebkew
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar 196, Ethiopia
Mengistie Mossie Birhanu
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Soil erosion is a major environmental problem that degrades topsoil and agricultural land productivity in mountainous areas such as Ethiopia. Soil erosion estimation is critical for the planning of erosion control plans in an agriculture-dependent economy. The current study used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to evaluate the spatial distribution of annual soil loss and sediment yield in the Rib watershed. The main factors affecting soil erosion and sediment yield include vegetation cover, topography, soil, and climate. Soil erosion and sediment yield maps should be produced with these elements in account to describe locations with high soil erosion and sediment yield risks and to ensure improved erosion mitigation strategies in watersheds. The five input parameters were rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length-steepness (LS), cover-management factor (C), and support practice (P). The RUSLE model, when combined with remote sensing technology, has the ability to provide accurate and low-cost erosion and sediment yield risk maps in the Rib watershed. The estimated average annual soil loss was 25.53 t ha−1 yr−1. The soil loss rate was higher in the steeper and topographically dissected part of the watershed. Sediment delivery ratio ranges between 0 and 0.82. The outcome undoubtedly aids in the identification of priority locations for the adoption of sustainable land management and soil erosion mitigation conservation strategies.