Introduction to the Simulation Model of Surface Runoff and Erosion Process (SMODERP)

Abstract

SMODERP model for determination of surface runoff and erosion process is being developed recently in Czechoslovakia as one of the future erosion prediction methods. To prove that it is not of these models which are limited only to research applications and to examine its level of universality, model is being presently tested both, in the country of origin and in other regions in the world-now in Japan.
Preliminary results shown that calculations correlated with measured data even if the existence of different rain and soil conditions must be taken into consideration. Model works when the investigated slope is divided into homogenous segments with regard to morphological, soil and vegetational conditions. The maximum length and width of the slope could be 1, 000 m; the minimum length and width of the slops could be 10 m, but the length of 20 m is better because to avoid oscillation of runoff in simulation stepe. In case that the actual values like hydraulic conductivity, soil sorptivity, potential interception, Manning's roughness coefficient for surface runoff are not available, recommended values of those parameters, developed on the basis of laboratory and field research experiments, are suitable enough for calculations. It seems that SMODERP model can be especially used to estimate soil erosion rates needed to plan conservation practices and developed soil conservation policy.