A multi-scale and multi-approach investigation of sediment yield and runoff flux in the Mara River basin, Kenya

Authors

Mengistu Balew Defersha, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Environmental Studies

First Advisor's Name

Assefa M. Melesse

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Fernando R. Miralles-Wilhelm

Third Advisor's Name

Leonard J. Scinto

Fourth Advisor's Name

Michael E. McClain

Date of Defense

11-10-2010

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to identify the current potential sediment source areas and quantify rate of erosion and runoff. Runoff plots were established at three sites and the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) and Erosion 3D models were applied at watershed scale. The highest total sediment yield was observed on cultivated land (162.38 g/m2) in the Nyangores sub-watershed and the lowest sediment yield (29.95 g/m²) was observed on grassland, in Amala downstream. The model evaluation indicated that both of the models perform well in estimation of runoff, however, the WEPP model performs better than Erosion 3D in estimation of erosion. At watershed scale, the simulation result indicated that average erosion in cultivated land was about 120 tons/ha/year and the lowest erosion rate was estimated on bush lands and grass lands, which may indicate change in land use has significant impact on soil erosion in the Mara River basin

Identifier

FI14062232

Comments

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Recommended Citation

Defersha, Mengistu Balew, "A multi-scale and multi-approach investigation of sediment yield and runoff flux in the Mara River basin, Kenya" (2010). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2762.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2762