Introduction to the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation

FREE WEBINAR | February 20, 2025 | 2:00 PM EST/1:00 PM CST | This webinar will provide an introduction to the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), one of the most widely used methods for calculating erosion in the U.S. (1.0 PDH | 0.1 CEU)

Date: February 20, 2025 | 2:00 PM EST/1:00 PM CST
Speakers:
Andrew Earles, Ph.D., P.E., P.H., CPESC and Lily Montesano, CISEC
Credits:
1.0 PDH | 0.1 CEU | Approved for all Envirocert International, Inc. (ECI) Certifications: Approval #PDH-106
Sponsor: StormRax by Plastic Solutions

This webinar will provide an introduction to the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), one of the most widely used methods for calculating erosion in the U.S. RUSLE is an evolution of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), developed as a predictive tool to estimate soil erosion caused by rainfall and surface runoff. The USLE was developed in the 1950s and 1960s by scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was based on data collected from field plots in agricultural regions across the United States. Development of RUSLE began in the late 1980s and early 1990s with improvements including updated erosion science for complex terrain and different land uses, computerized algorithms to make the model more user-friendly, and allowances for  time-varying factors, improving accuracy for areas with seasonal vegetation changes. The most current version, released by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, is RUSLE 2.

This webinar will explain the factors that go into calculation of erosion using RUSLE: A = R • K • LS • C • P., where A is the average annual soil loss, R is the rainfall-runoff erosivity factor, K is the soil erodibility factor, LS is the slope length factor (topographic factor), C is the cover factor, and P is the practice factor. The instructors will discuss each of these factors and where users can find data for calculations. The instructors will explain differences between erosion and sediment yield and will discuss strengths and limitations of RUSLE.

The webinar will include real world examples of application of RUSLE, one example for a construction site and another for a burned watershed. These examples will reinforce the explanations of key factors and how they are applied to real world erosion problems.

Learning Objectives

  • Differentiate between erosion and sediment yield
  • Explain what each of the variables in the RUSLE mean and where to find information for inputs
  • Describe real world applications of RUSLE along with important tips for interpreting output

About the Presenters

Dr. Andrew Earles, P.E., P.H., BC.WRE
Dr. Earles is the Executive Vice President of Wright Water Engineers, Inc. (WWE), where he has worked for 25 years in the field of stormwater management and green infrastructure (GI). Dr. Earles has assisted the Mile High Flood District with updates to their storm drainage criteria manual for over 20 years, including a recent major update of the chapter providing criteria for stormwater control measures, including many GI practices.

Lily Montesano
Lily Montesano is a project manager at Wright Water Engineers, Inc. in Denver, Colorado. Her work focuses on environmental permitting and regulations for water quality projects. Her experience includes permitting for construction stormwater discharges under the Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) and municipal erosion and sediment control regulations, groundwater dewatering, and floodplain development. Lily has significant experience in environmental project management and technical writing, including the preparation of stormwater management plans, and floodplain development permit applications. She is a Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Controls and has more than a decade of experience conducting inspections on construction projects in a variety of sectors to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

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Not Enrolled

Course Includes

  • 1 Lesson
  • Course Certificate