Estimation of Soil Erosion for Vishwamitri River Watershed using Universal Soil Loss Equation and GIS

Soil erosion is one of the critical problem occurs in india as well as some developed countries. A large area can prone for soil erosion, which turn , reduces productivity. Soil erosion estimation is very time consuming exercise. Methods such as the Universal Soil loss Equation (USLE) are widely used for the estimation of soil erosion from watershed. This paper deals with the estimation of soil erosion using USLE in a GIS environment and prioritization of watersheds on that basis. Vishwamitri river watershed in Gujarat, India is taken as the study area. Satellite images of IRS-P6 LISS-III have been used. Various thematic maps like Land use, Soil and Slope map were prepared at BISAG. soil erosion of each of the sub watersheds was estimated. The sub watershed was prioritization of watershed. In present Study, all five parameters of USLE like R.K.LS, C,P was estimated. Calculating all five parameters of USLE, it is found that two sub watersheds coded as SW1 & SW2 are subjected to very severe condition which needs to controlling measures. Remaining two sub watersheds coded as SW3 & SW4 are subjected to Moderate condition. The computed Annual Soil loss of study area is 240.27 ton /ha/year