Evaluation of the water erosion prediction project model – validation data from sites in Western Australia

Authors: Howard, EJ; Roddy, BP

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1208_09_Howard

Cite As:
Howard, EJ & Roddy, BP 2012, 'Evaluation of the water erosion prediction project model – validation data from sites in Western Australia', in AB Fourie & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2012: Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 81-92, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1208_09_Howard

Download citation as:   ris   bibtex   endnote   text   Zotero


Abstract:
Computer simulations of runoff and erosion are a key element in the design of stable waste dump outer batter profiles. The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model is used to develop erosionally stable landform batter surfaces. Although the WEPP model has been widely validated elsewhere, there is a perceived need to similarly validate the model for mine site conditions. Erosion monitoring data collected on landforms for which model parameters are known can be used for two primary purposes: a) to demonstrate that erosion rates are consistent with site targets; and b) to validate and more precisely calibrate the erosion model used in landform design, enabling continuous improvement in the design process. Model validation techniques are discussed and validation data for several landforms are presented. In general, cumulative erosion rates measured since completion of construction show good agreement with predicted erosion rates. The data have provided validation of the landform design process used; confidence in the surface stability of existing landforms that have been constructed; refinement and improvement in the design process; and a means for continual improvement in landform rehabilitation methods.

References:
Bjorneberg, D.L., Trout, T.J., Sojka, R.E. and Aase, J.K. (1999) Evaluating WEPP-predicted infiltration, runoff, and soil erosion for furrow irrigation, Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Vol. 42(6), pp. 1733–1741.
DMP (2004) Department of Mines and Petroleum. Policy Guidelines, Unconditional performance bonds, accessed 23 July 2012, .
Flanagan, D.C. and Nearing, M.A. (1995) USDA – Water erosion prediction project, Hillslope profile and watershed model documentation, NSERL Report No. 10, USDA-ARS National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Ghidey, F. and Alberts, E.E. (1996) Comparison of measured and WEPP predicted runoff and soil loss for Midwest claypan soil, Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Vol. 39, pp. 1395–1402.
Govers, G. and Poesen, J. (1988) Assessment of interrill and rill contributions to total soil loss from an upland field plot, Geomorphology, Vol. 1, pp. 343–354.
Howard, E. and Roddy, B. (2012) Importance of surface water flow concentration and its impact on erosion potential of constructed mine landforms, in Proceedings of the 2012 Workshop on Environmental Management, Goldfields Environmental Management Group, Kalgoorlie, pp. 174–187.
Howard, E., Shemeld, J. and Loch, R. (2010) Ramelius resources’ Wattle Dam project: achieving bond reduction through leading practice, in Proceedings of the 2010 Goldfields Environmental Management Group Workshop.
Laflen, J.M., Flanagan, D.C. and Engel, B.A. (2004) Soil erosion and sediment yield prediction accuracy using WEPP, Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Vol. 40(2), pp. 289–297.
Landloch Pty Ltd (2002) Case study: Concave slope on outer batter of TSF C at Wiluna Gold Mine, viewed 12 May 2012, .
Liu, B.Y., Nearing, M.A., Baffaut, C. and Ascough II, J.C. (1997) The WEPP watershed model: III, Comparisons to measured data from small watersheds, Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Vol. 40, pp. 945–951.
Landloch Pty Ltd (n.d.) Case study: Concave slope on outer batter of TSF C at Wiluna Gold Mine, accessed 23 July 2012, www.landloch.com.au/pdf/WilunaCaseStudy.pdf.
Loch, R.J. and Lowe, S.M. (2008) A logical framework for design, construction, and rehabilitation of minesite waste rock dumps, in Proceedings First International Seminar on the Management of Rock Dumps, Stockpiles and Heap Leach Pads (Rock Dumps 2008), A.B. Fourie (ed), 5–6 March 2008, Perth, Australia, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 257–266.
Nearing, M.A., Govers, G. and Norton, L.D. (1999) Variability in soil erosion data from replicated plots, Soil Science Society of America Journal, Vol. 63, pp. 1829–1835.
Nearing, M.A. and Nicks, A.D. (1998) Evaluation of the water erosion prediction project (WEPP) model for hillslopes in Modelling Soil Erosion by Water, J. Boardman and D.T. Favis-Mortlock (eds), Springer-Verlag NATO-ASI Series I-55, Berlin: pp. 45–56.
Nearing, M.A., Yu Bulygin, A. and Kotova, M.M. (1998) Primary verification and adaptation of the WEPP model for Ukrainian conditions: problems, possible solutions, and perspectives, Eurasian Soil Science, Vol. 31, pp. 88–91.
Poesen, J.W., Vandaele, K. and van Wesemael, B. (1996) Contribution of gully erosion to sediment production on cultivated lands and rangelands, Erosion and sediment yield: global and regional perspectives, in Proceedings of the Exeter Symposium, July 1996, IAHS Publication No. 236, pp. 251–266.
Renard, K.G., Foster, G.R., Weesies, G.A., McCool, D.K. and Yoder, D.C. (1996) Predicting soil erosion by water: a guide to conservation planning with the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE), Agricultural Handbook 703, United States Department of Agriculture.
Tiwari, A.K., Risse, L.M. and Nearing, M.A. (2000) Evaluation of WEPP and its comparison with USLE and RUSLE, Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Vol. 43, pp. 1129–1135.
Tongway, D.J. and Hindley, N.L. (2004) Landscape function analysis: procedures for monitoring and assessing landscapes with special reference to minesites and rangelands, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems.
Vacher, C., Loch, R. and Raine, S. (2004) Identification and management of dispersive mine spoils, Final report, Australian Centre for Mining Environmental Research.
Yu, B. and Roswell, C.J. (2001) Evaluation of WEPP for runoff and soil loss prediction at Gunnedah, NSW, Australia, Australian Journal of Soil Research, Vol. 39, pp. 1131–1145.
Yu, B., Ciesiolka, C.A.A., Rose, C.W. and Coughlan, K.J. (2000) A validation test of WEPP to predict runoff and soil loss from a pineapple farm on a sandy soil in subtropical Queensland, Australia, Australian Journal of Soil Research, Vol. 38,
pp. 537–554.
Wischmeier, W.H. and Smith, D.D. (1978) Predicting rainfall erosion losses: A guide to conservation planning, Agriculture Handbook No. 537, United States Department of Agriculture.
Zhang, X.C., Nearing, M.A., Risse, L.M. and McGregor, K.C. (1996) Evaluation of WEPP runoff and soil loss predictions using natural runoff plot data, Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Vol. 39, pp. 9855–863.




© Copyright 2024, Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG), The University of Western Australia. All rights reserved.
View copyright/legal information
Please direct any queries or error reports to repository-acg@uwa.edu.au