Surface runoff and soil erosion, as well as non-point source (NPS) pollutants carried with them, are a concern in watershed management. A study was conducted at Agriculture Canada Stavely Range Substation, located approximately 100 km south of Calgary, to determine runoff and soil loss from fescue grassland watersheds under three grazing intensities; ungrazed (control), heavy (2.4 AUM ha⻹) and very heavy (4.8 AUM ha⻹). Three watersheds were carefully selected for similarities in slope, aspect, shape, area, and elevation. Actual runoff data was collected for 1998-2000 and total surface runoff, due to snow melt, was measured in March of 2000. The SWAT model was calibrated from 1998 runoff with adjustments made to simulate observed surface runoff. The SWAT model was then evaluated using observed climatological data; daily air temperature, solar radiation, precipitation and runoff data, as well as soils, land use, and vegetation data. SWAT model was used to calculate surface runoff for 1999 and 2000.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.