Sediment yield prediction and prioritization of sub-watersheds in the Upper Subarnarekha basin (India) using SWAT

The present study deals with the estimation of soil loss from Upper Subarnarekha catchment in Odisha (India) using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Sequential uncertainty fitting (SUFI-2) algorithm SWAT calibration programs (SWAT-CUP) was used for model simulation. calibrated observed data period 1996 to 2008 first 3 years (1996–1998) as warm-up period. Further, validation done 5-year 2009 2013. Reliable evaluation performance during has been substantiated by coefficient determination (R2), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), percentage bias (PBIAS) 0.81, ?0.15, respectively, respective values validated were found be 0.79, 0.78, ?0.19. P-factor R-factor 0.80 0.75 0.66 0.74, validation. Average annual 4.84 Mg ha?1. watershed indexed SW18 resulted highest range 10–15 ha?1year?1. prioritization at level sub-watersheds simulated sediment yield, texture, land use, slope identifying vulnerable that need immediate attention. inferred having index numbers SW17, SW18, SW19 are highly vulnerable, hence top priority should given these reduction erosion through implementation suitable water conservation measures.