CRITICAL SHEAR-STRESS AND CRITICAL FLOW-RATES FOR INITIATION OF RILLING

This study was conducted to identify critical shear stress and critical flow rates required to initiate rilling on selected sites. The data used in this investigation were collected from soils located throughout the USA where crop residues had been removed, and moldboard plowing and disking had occurred. Runoff and soil loss measurements were made on sites where simulated rainfall was applied to preformed rills. Multiple regression analyses were used to relate critical shear stress values and critical flow rates to selected soil properties. The soil-based regression equations were found to provide reliable estimates. Information identified in this study will improve our ability to understand and properly model upland runoff and erosion processes.