Technology Description

The erosion potential model, referred to as the nLS model, developed for Fort Riley is capable of determining areas of high erosion potential and, therefore, the optimal locations for siting erosion-preventing best management practices (BMP). The nLS model is operationalized as a three-layer raster calculation in a GIS using classified LULC data and DEMs. The computed nLS output grid represents a unitless estimate of the energy of surface runoff water as it flows downslope. The relationship between actual gully locations and accumulated energy then are compared to develop a predictive model. Because it requires few inputs, for which easily accessed data sets are available nationwide, data acquisition and preparation times are minimal compared to existing erosion models such as AGNPS and RUSLE. While the nLS model has been shown effective in identifying the location of existing gullies, it also can be operated in a predictive mode to forecast the impact of military training exercises on the formation of new gullies. By incorporating vehicle tracking data from field training or simulator-based exercises, anticipated environmental damage such as vegetation loss and vehicle rutting can be simulated and used as the basis to modify representations of current installation terrain. The validated nLS model then can be run using modified vegetation and topographic input to identify likely sites of gully initiation.