Evaluation of Spatial-Temporal Variation of Soil Loss and Best Conservation Measures in an East Africa Catchment

Soil conservation (SC) is essential to maintain the reservoir service life and increase yield since soil erosion a major global concern that adversely affects not only storage capacity but also land fertility. This study evaluates spatio-temporal variation of using popular SWAT model identifies best SC practice for Tekeze watershed located in Northern part Ethiopia. To accomplish this, four management scenarios involving baseline, terracing, contouring, grassed waterway are selected loss evaluation. The was calibrated validated with R2 values 0.7 0.9 NSE 0.8 0.7, respectively, indicating satisfactory performance. Five sub-basins catchment were found be more susceptible an average annual 25.15 tons/ha/yr. Employment proposed measures sub-watershed reduced by 35.18%, 27.11%, 18.76%, which significant when compared baseline scenario. Since investment cost execution measure large very high, priority areas identified savings as well improved work efficiency.