ES97-51\Index

Measuring Soil Erosion and Runoff in Watersheds

Under Diverse Land Use The hypothesis in this project is that various land use practices in the Princeton area have widely varying impacts on soil erosion and runoff. A comparison between a suburban drainage and a crop drainage will be examined to determine erosion differences.

Field Work Site - The focus of this study was to compare the erosion rate of two different types of land uses. A topographic map was used to find two appropriate drainage areas (approximately the same elevation, gradient, etc.) with two different types of land uses, agricultural and suburban.

Equipment - This lab requires a conductivity meter, laboratory balance (1/100 g can be used), filter paper, and filtration apparatus.

Testing Hypothesis -A lab written by Mark Johnsson was modified to use for our study. This laboratory procedure is suited for high school environmental or earth science courses.

Data & Calculations - An estimation of the amount of erosion that will occur in a one year period is calculated taking the width of the watershed, the average depth, average velocity, the amount of particulate in a 1.0 L sample, and the dissolved load . Data was collected one day after a large thunderstorm (1-3 inches) and one week later after a seven day dry period.

Analysis - The weather conditions during the seven day study, the relief of the area, and other characteristics of the watersheds are discussed. The erosion rates between the two study sites are analyzed and compared.

National Science Standards - Teachers use the Standards as the basis for improving science content, teaching, and assessment. In this project Standards were considered when developing material and modifying laboratory exercises to suit a high school science course.

Extension & Application - Ideas for extended stream study and resources that are available in most states. Possible ways to apply a soil erosion project in other regions of the country and extend this study throughout a school year.

Journal & Conclusion - A summary and reflection of the 1997 Woodrow Wilson Environmental Science Workshop (June 29 - July 25, 1997).

Team Members:

Tracey Dickerson                          Barbara J. Errington                       Babette Stephen
Indiana                                           Louisiana                                        Louisiana

Needed Equipment Tape Measure
Meter Stick
Flow Meter
Conductivity Meter
Liter Container
Laboratory Balance (1/1000 g)
Filtration Apparatus
Membrane Filter Papers
     (0.45 micrometers)

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