Integrated runoff and soil loss monitoring unit for small agricultural watersheds

Pathak, P; Chandrasekhar, K.; Wani, S P; Sudi, R; Budama, Nagaraju

doi:10.1016/j.compag.2016.08.011

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…A mechanical type stage recorder was installed at the outlet of the micro‐watershed receiving drainage from 27 ha; the stage recorder was programmed to measure data at 30‐min intervals. The unit does smart sampling by linking the runoff sampling intervals to the sediment load (Black and Luce 2013; Pathak et al 2016). During the runoff, water flowing at hourly intervals was pumped automatically and stored in separate containers.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Each runoff event hydrograph was divided into 60‐min time segments and sediment concentration data was superimposed on the runoff hydrograph to estimate soil loss. This was computed by multiplying the volume of segment runoff by sediment concentration (Pathak et al 2016). Water levels in one of the check dams (S11) were monitored manually on a daily time scale during the rainy season between 2002 and 2005.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of Rainwater Harvesting on Hydrological Processes in a Fragile Watershed of South Asia

et al. 2021

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Agricultural water management (AWM) interventions play an important role in ensuring sustainable food production and mitigating climate risks. This study was carried out in a watershed located in a low rainfall (400-600 mm) region of western India. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool model was calibrated using surface runoff, soil loss, and reservoir storage levels, between the year 2000 and 2006. The investigation indicated that the various AWM interventions increased groundwater recharge from 30 mm/year to 80 mm/year and reduced surface runoff from 250 mm/year to 100 mm/year. The intervention structures were refilled two to three times during the monsoon season depending on rainfall intensity and duration. The interventions have the advantage of building a resilient system by enhancing groundwater availability even in dry years, stimulating crop intensification and protecting the landscape from severe erosion. The results indicate that soil erosion has been reduced by more than 75% compared to the nonintervention situation. Moreover, the AWM interventions led to the cultivation of 100-150 ha of fallow land with high-value crops (horticulture, vegetables, and fodder). Household income increased by several folds compared to the nonintervention situation. The study showed about 50% reduction in downstream water availability, which could be a major concern. However, there are a number of ecosystem trade-offs such as improved base flow to the stream and reduction in soil loss that should be considered. The study is of great importance to stakeholders to decide on the optimal design for AWM interventions to achieve sustainable development goals.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Rainwater Harvesting on Hydrological Processes in a Fragile Watershed of South Asia

et al. 2021

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“…During the surplus rainfall event, sediment samples at the gauging stations were automatically collected at hourly intervals and stored in separate containers. These samples were analyzed in a laboratory for sediment concentration and estimated soil loss (Pathak et al 2016).…”

Section: Landscape-based Approach 2211 Interventions Implementedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Landscape resource management for sustainable crop intensification

Anantha

Garg

Singh

et al. 2021

Environ. Res. Lett.

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Crop intensification is required to meet the food demands of an increasing population. This paper presents data from three paired scaling-up initiatives to compare the benefits of landscape-based interventions over individual plot-level interventions using evidence generated in the Indian semi-arid tropics. A range of soil and water conservation interventions were implemented in a decentralized manner following the landscape-based approach. The plot-level approach focused only on balanced fertilizer application and improved crop cultivars while the landscape-based interventions primarily addressed moisture availability, which was the key to reducing risks of crop failure besides aiding productivity gain and enhanced land and water-use efficiency. These interventions have additionally harvested 50-150 mm of surface runoff and facilitated groundwater recharge in 550-800 mm rainfall zones. Individual plot-level interventions also improved the crop yield significantly over the control plots. However, crop intensification was not achieved due to limited moisture availability. Landscape-based interventions produced 100-300% higher crop production per year, greater income generation (>100%), and improved water productivity. Landscape-based interventions were also found to be beneficial in terms of reducing soil loss by 75-90% and improving base flow availability additionally by 20-75 days in a year compared to untreated watersheds. With increased moisture availability, fallow lands in respective watersheds have been utilized for cultivation, thereby enhancing crop intensification. The findings of the study provide critical insights into the design of approaches suitable for scaling-up projects in order to both create impact and target the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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“…A mechanical type stage recorder was installed at the outlet of the micro watershed, which is draining from 27 ha area, and was programmed to record data at every 30 min interval. The designed unit does smart sampling by linking the runoff sampling intervals to the sediment load (Pathak et al ., 2016). During the runoff event, flowing water at every one-hour interval is pumped automatically and stored in separate containers throughout the runoff events.…”

Section: Data Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of agriculture water management interventions on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of Western India

Garg¹,

Kh²,

Akuraju³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Water management interventions play an important role in ensuring sustainable food production and mitigating climate risks. This study was carried out in a watershed located in low rainfall (400-600 mm) region of western India. The paper analyses the changes in hydrological processes with the implementation of various rainwater harvesting (RWH) interventions using field measurements and SWAT simulation. The model was calibrated using the runoff gauging, storage levels, soil loss and groundwater measurements between 2000 and 2006. Various agricultural water management interventions have helped to enhance groundwater recharge from 30 mm to 80 mm, reduced surface runoff from 250 mm to 100 mm and enhanced base flow. The structures were filled 2 to 3 times depending on rainfall variability and total precipitation. The RWH interventions were found to build system resilience by enhancing groundwater availability even in dry years, which was the main reason for crop intensification and protected the landscape from heavy erosion. Sediment erosion reduced more than 75 percent compared to non-intervention stage. Moreover, 100-150 ha fallow land was brought under cultivation with high value crops such as horticulture, vegetables and fodder. The household income increased manifolds compared to non-intervention stage. The study showed about 50 percent reduction in downstream water availability, which could be the major concern. However, there are number of ecosystem trade-offs such as improved base flow and reduction in soil loss. The study is useful for larger scale decision making about optimal water harvesting for achieving sustainable development goals.

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Integrated runoff and soil loss monitoring unit for small agricultural watersheds

Cited by 13 publications

References 13 publications

Impact of Rainwater Harvesting on Hydrological Processes in a Fragile Watershed of South Asia

Impact of Rainwater Harvesting on Hydrological Processes in a Fragile Watershed of South Asia

Landscape resource management for sustainable crop intensification

Impact of agriculture water management interventions on hydrological processes in a fragile watershed of Western India

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