Estimation of Soil Erosion Using MPSIAC, RUSLE Models and Regional Analysis Method in the Watershed of Cheshme Ashegh Dam, Neyriz, Fars Province

Water storage dams are considered as strategic constructions of every country. The issue of soil erosion in the watershed of the mentioned dams and the transfer of produced sediment to the reservoir of the dams is one of the issues that is always raised regarding these types of dams. Cheshme Ashegh dam in Fars province is one of the mentioned dams. In the present study, erosion and sediment studies and estimation has been carried out for the first time in this watershed by RUSLE and MPSIAC models as well as the regional analysis method for the aim of design and implementation of suitable conservation measures as well as making policy and plan for soil conservation in the watershed of the dam and preventing the production and transfer of sediment to its reservoir. The results of this research showed that, based on the MPSIAC and RUSLE models, the amount of special sediment is estimated by 1.58 and 3.17 ton/ha/y, respectively. Considering that the result obtained from the regional analysis method based on Gozoon station, the amount of special sediment is estimated by 3.5 ton/ha/y, it can be said that the result of the estimation obtained from the RUSLE model is closer to the amount calculated from the regional analysis method. Therefore, it can be said that the results obtained from the RUSLE model are more efficient than the MPSIAC model for estimating the amount of sediment and future soil conservation measures in the Cheshme Ashagh Dam watershed.