Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) Model 2024 Status

This 2024 report reviews the evolution, current status, and major updates of the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP), a leading USDA model used to estimate runoff, soil loss, and sediment yields in cropland, forest, and rangeland settings. The WEPP model now features improved science, updated climate and management databases, better representation of water quality and tile drainage, and new web-based interfaces for field, watershed, and national conservation planning. Integration with real-time radar precipitation, LiDAR-derived topography, and NRCS land management data enables accurate, spatially consistent predictions, benefiting projects such as the Daily Erosion Project and other multi-agency efforts. The report highlights the expanding reach and ongoing research to validate WEPP for freeze-thaw cycles, ephemeral gully erosion, and long-term conservation decision-making across the U.S. and worldwide.