Abstract
Soil erosion is a challenging natural environmental hazard which is not
possible to stop yet, can be reduced by conservation practices. Here,
for these issues, we have applied Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation
(RUSLE) and Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to assess soil
erosion in Ghaghara river basin. We have estimated morphometric
parameter to understand susceptibility of sub-basin for soil loss. The
result of soil erosion estimated by RUSLE is 287.13 t〖h_a〗^(-1)
yr^(-1) and by SWAT is 338.65 t〖h_a〗^(-1) yr^(-1) in study
area. Water retention curve of soil using hydrous model and hypsometry
of basin using QGIS were estimated to know water holding capacity of
soil and geomorphic age of basin respectively. The results of water
retention curve showed that Clay_Loam (Bd29-3c-3661) Loam
(I-Bh-U-c-3717) and Clay_Loam (Rd30-2b-3851) were showing highest water
holding capacity as (0.317 m^3/m^3), (0.311 m^3/m^3) and
(0.271 m^3/m^3) in the study area respectively. The final
prioritized map generated by integration of SWAT, RULSE, water holding
capacity and morphometric results showed that upper and middle portion
of basin need higher conservation measures to control soil erosion
compared to lower portion of basin. The hypsometry of basin indicates
the sub-basins age from young to mature stage due to subsequent soil
erosion in upper and middle portion in basin.