Effect of land use type and land slope degree on runoff quantity using artificial rain simulator, case study: Kakasharaf watershed (Lorestan Province)

Study of effective factors on runoff quantity to achieve optimum measures for runoff controlling is an essential subject in watershed management. This study aimed to investigate the effects of land use type and land slope degree on runoff quantity using an artificial rainfall simulator in Kakasharaf watershed from branches karkhe watershed (Lorestan Province). Based on the land use map, at 6 work units (sub basins), three land use types of pasture, forest and agriculture; and three land slope degrees of 10, 20 and 30 percent was chosen. In total 93 tests were run using an artificial rainfall simulator and the runoff quantities were collected and measured. Artificial rainfall simulator was a plexiglass non-pressure rainfall simulator with a plot size of 83.5 × 119 cm2 and height 160 cm. Statistical analysis was done using SAS software. Results showed that the average, minimum and maximum runoff quantity were 1499, 0, and 9100 cm3, respectively. Analysis of variance showed a significant difference (p