The Daily Erosion Project: An Overview and Summary, 2016

The 2016 overview of the Daily Erosion Project outlines how DEP leverages advanced modeling and remote sensing data to estimate rainfall, runoff, and soil erosion in nearly real time across over 2,000 watersheds in the Midwest. By applying the WEPP model along with high-resolution LiDAR elevation, weather, crop, and soil data, DEP monitors seasonal and yearly trends, showing that regional sediment delivery and runoff can vary up to six times based on weather and landscape conditions. This framework aids both local and large-scale conservation efforts, pinpointing years and areas with high erosion risk, especially in hilly, intensively farmed zones. Although expanding into other states and integrating various remote sensing products presented technical hurdles, DEP’s data-driven strategy allows for more targeted soil conservation across the diverse landscapes of the Midwest.