SEDIMENT YIELD QUANTIFICATION IN UNGAUGED FLUVIAL WATERSHEDS USING MODIFIED UNIVERSAL SOIL LOSS EQUATION (MUSLE): A CASE STUDY OF WINDER RIVER BASIN, PAKISTAN

The non-availability of observed hydrologic data of watersheds poses a significant hindrance to monitor the runoff and sedimentation regime and to take appropriate watershed management measures, particularly in the less developed quarters of the world. This necessitates the search of a reliable alternative approach for ungauged watersheds to quantify the sediment yield. Based on the literature review, the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) has been found as a reliable approach for sediment yield computation. Therefore, this research was intended to determine the mean monthly and yearly sediment yield of Winder River Basin using MUSLE. The daily runoff and discharge of river was estimated using NRCS CN Method. Based on the analysis, the sediment yield of study area was found to be closely following the rainfall and runoff regime, where the highest mean monthly sediment yield was found in July (6.12 million tons), while lowest in October and November. Annually, the mean sediment yield of Winder River Basin was found to be 10.08 million tons. Conclusively, the study comprehensively explained the use of MUSLE to determine sediment yield in ungauged watersheds, where the outcomes can be employed to formulate effective watershed management and soil conservation practices.