Use of the Geomorphological Model, Based on the Stream Power, for Zoning Erosion and Sedimentation in Watersheds

Providing information for erosion and sediment yield simulation in watersheds is the major concern in employing the corresponding models. throughout this paper، a geomorphological model based upon stream power theory is introduced. In this model، for simulating the potential erosion leading to sediment load in rivers، two parameters namely: slope and specific catchment area are employed. The model which uses just a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to provide the required information is capable of zoning watersheds as based on the susceptibility of landscape to erosion. This advantage makes the model an efficient and affordable tool for initial planning in soil conservation projects regarding their importance in dam and river engineering studies. The MPSIAC model is employed to evaluate the results of the geomorphological model، while the recorded sediment data in the study river was used to calibrate MPSIAC. While the performance of the two models was close، regression relationship between the nine factors of MPSIACmodel and geomorphological model showed that the factors of topography and surface erosion in MPSIAC constitute the most related parameters.