Estimation of erosin and sediment yield with EPM model in Zemkan basin using GIS

The goal of this study is determination of erosion rate and sediment production and exploring sensitive areas of erosion in Zemkan basin, located in the West of Kermanshah Province.To achieve these objectives, the erosion potential method (EPM) was used.Geographical information system also was used to reduce the errors and increase the relative accuracy in the analysis of the model. Required data in this study were obtained through fieldwork, existing maps, data from meteorological and hydrometric stations and library resources. The nessesary data layers were digitized and georeferenced and finally database were created. Using standard tables provided in the EPM model, accordant values for the basin extracted and incorporated into the layers according to the relations given in EPM model, the erosion intensity map, erosion and sediment ratio were calculated for the basin. Results revealed that the ratesof especial erosion (WSP) and especial sediment are (GSP), 2742.02 and 1005.55 m3/km2/yrespectively. The intensity of erodibleity of the basinwas also classified as very intensive (V).However the intensity of the erosion in the basin suggests that, different policies of erosion control in the basinare necessary.