Equations for predicting interrill erosion on steep slopes in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

Abstract

The Three Gorges Reservoir region suffers from severe soil erosion that leads to serious soil degradation and eutrophication. Interrill erosion models are commonly used in developing soil erosion control measures. Laboratory simulation experiments were conducted to investigate the relationship between interrill erosion rate and three commonly hydraulic parameters (flow velocity V, shear stress τ and stream power W). The slope gradients ranged from 17.6% to 36.4%, and the rainfall intensities varied from 0.6 to 2.54 mm·min−1.

Keywords

• purple soil
• interrill erosion rate
• rainfall intensity
• slope gradient
• hydraulic parameter