The Study of an Urban Soil-Loss Equation- Its Use in Predicting Soil Erosion From Urban Construction Sites in Hawaii

Abstract

How much erosion would occur if the soil at a particular construction site were exposed by extreme bulldozing? How will changes in cover and management affect the rate of erosion? Answers to these questions and others like them are important in planning for the prevention of sediment damage. According to Wischmeier, Johnson, and Cross in 1971 (16), the Universal Soil-Loss Equation now widely used in the continental United States as a guide to sound conservation planning on cropland, can be equally useful in sediment control planning on urban and suburban construction sites with appropriate evaluation of its basic parameters. Up until now the Universal Soil-Loss Equation could not be used on Oahu. This is because the differences in climate and soils here have made the values worked out for the agricultural areas in the continental United States invalid for use on Oahu. With the increasing amount of construction over the years sediment control has become very important. Thus the urban usage of the soil-loss equation here on Oahu would be a great asset in helping planners control sediment damage to coastal waters and lowland areas as well as erosion damage to the uplands.