- Universal Soil Loss Equation

Kansas Version

S. J. Thien, Kansas State University

sjthien@ksu.edu
 USLE
Universal Soil Loss Equation
Kansas Edition

The Universal Soil Loss Equation predicts soil loss

from sheet and rill types of water erosion based on
site characteristics and management inputs. The Sheet Erosion
USLE predicts if erosion will exceed a "tolerable" rate. Conservation hints and
explanations of equation factors help users understand soil erosion processes
and their control.
The USLE can alert soil managers to potential
erosion hazards, identify factors responsible for
excessive erosion, and aid in selecting of appropriate
conservation practices. Each factor affecting erosion
can be changed individually to illustrate its impact.
This version of the USLE is applicable for KANSAS.

Note: Factors other than those considered in

Rill Erosion this equation can affect actual erosion loss.

Directions: Make selections as directed and click on buttons to proceed.

Photo source: http://www.netc.net.au/enviro/fguide/rillero.html

 USLE Equation, Factors, and T-Value
The USLE Equation is: A = R*K*LS*C*P

where: A= predicted soil loss (tons per acre per year)

R= rainfall and runoff factor
K= soil erodibility factor
LS = slope factor
C= crop and cover management factor
P= conservation practice factor

A is the product of multiplying each factor's numerical value.

The conservation status of the predicted soil loss (A) is determined by comparing it to:
T , the tolerable soil loss (tons per acre per year).
By changing one factor at a time, each factor's contribution to erosion can be shown.
 R Factor - Rainfall and Runoff

The R factor (rainfall and runoff) is based on the erosive power of rainfall events
common to the area. Sometimes called the "erosive index", R values for each region
have been set using weather records of rainfall energy and maximum rainfall intensity.

Extrapolate an R value for your site from the regional averages shown here.

Enter an R value between 50 and 300 into this cell ( 289

Photo source: http://gisdasc.kgs.ukans.edu/kanview/elevation/ks_elev.html

 K Factor - Erodibility
The soil erodibility factor, K, indicates the inherent
susceptibility of a soil to erode. Two soil properties, K factor = 0.37
infiltration capacity and structural stability, exert the T Value = 4
greatest influence on erosion. MARTIN, SiCL

These features, in turn, are related to a soil's

organic matter and clay content, clay type, depth
to an impervious layer, and tendency to crust.

Selecting one of the 324 soil types in Kansas

assigns both a K factor and a T value. Soils that
readily resist erosion have K values less than 0.2,
while values greater than 0.3 indicate high
erodibility.

Select a soil type from this list (

 182
# Soil Series K T
1 ALBATON, 0.28 5
2 ALBION, S 0.20 3
3 ANGELUS, 0.37 5
4 ANSELMO, 0.20 5
5 APPERSON 0.37 3
6 ARMO, L 0.28 5
7 ARMSTER, 0.37 5
8 ATTICA, F 0.24 5
9 BANKARD, 0.17 5
10 BASEHOR, 0.32 2
11 BASEHOR, 0.20 2
12 BATES, L 0.28 4
13 BATES, FS 0.20 4
14 BAYARD, F 0.20 5
15 BENFIELD, 0.37 3
16 BETHANY, 0.37 4
17 BIPPUS, C 0.28 5
18 BLANKET, 0.32 5
19 BOEL, FSL 0.20 5
20 BOGUE, C 0.28 3
21 BOLIVAR, 0.24 4
22 BOWDOIN, 0.28 5
23 BOWDOIN, 0.32 5
24 BOWDOIN, 0.17 5
25 BRAZOS, 0.17 5
26 BREMER, 0.37 5
27 BREWER, 0.37 5
28 BRIDGEPOR 0.32 5
29 BRIDGEPO 0.20 5
30 BROWNELL 0.20 3
31 BURCHARD 0.28 5
32 BUTLER, S 0.37 4
33 CALCO, Si 0.32 5
34 CAMPUS, 0.28 4
35 CANADIAN 0.20 5
36 CANLON, 0.32 2
37 CANYON, 0.32 2
38 CAREY, Si 0.32 5
39 CARLSON, 0.32 5
40 CARR, FS 0.24 5
41 CARUSO, 0.28 5
42 CARWILE, 0.24 5
43 CASE, CL 0.32 5
44 CASS, FSL 0.20 5
45 CATOOSA, 0.32 3
46 CHASE, Si 0.37 5
47 CHEROKEE 0.43 4
48 CHURCH, 0.43 5
49 CLAIREMON 0.37 5
50 CLARESON, 0.24 2
51 CLARESON 0.32 2
52 CLARK, CL 0.28 5
53 CLARK, FS 0.20 5
54 CLARKSVIL 0.24 3
55 CLEORA, 0.20 5
56 CLIME, Si 0.28 3
57 CLIME, Si 0.37 3
58 COLBY, Si 0.43 5
59 COLLINSVI 0.20 2
60 COLO, SiL 0.37 5
61 COLY, SiL 0.43 5
62 CORBIN, S 0.32 5
63 CORINTH, 0.37 4
64 COZAD, Si 0.32 5
65 CRETE, Si 0.37 4
66 CRESFIELD 0.20 5
67 CROFT, LF 0.17 5
68 DALE, SiL 0.32 5
69 DALHART, 0.24 5
70 DALHART, 0.17 5
71 DARNELL, 0.24 2
72 DEEPWATE 0.32 5
73 DENNIS, S 0.37 4
 74 DERBY, FS 0.17 5
75 DETROIT, 0.37 5
76 DILLWYN, 0.17 5
77 DIX, SL 0.15 2
78 DORRANCE 0.28 3
79 DORRANCE, 0.20 3
80 DRUMMOND 0.43 3
81 DWIGHT, S 0.43 3
82 DWYER, L 0.17 5
83 EDALGO, S 0.37 3
84 EDINA, SiL 0.37 4
85 ELANDCO, 0.32 5
86 ELKADER, 0.32 5
87 ELMONT, S 0.32 5
88 ELSMERE, 0.17 5
89 ELTREE, S 0.32 5
90 ENGLUND, 0.37 4
91 ERAM, SiC 0.37 3
92 EUDORA, S 0.32 5
93 EUDORA, 0.20 5
94 FARUM, L 0.28 5
95 FARUM, F 0.20 5
96 FLORENCE, 0.24 3
97 GARA, L 0.28 5
98 GEARY, Si 0.32 5
99 GERALD, S 0.43 4
100 GERLANE, 0.20 5
101 GIBBON, S 0.32 5
102 GIRARD, S 0.37 3
103 GLENBURG 0.24 5
104 GOESSEL, 0.28 5
105 GOSHEN, S 0.32 5
106 GOSPORT, 0.43 4
107 GRANT, Si 0.32 5
108 GRIGSTON, 0.32 5
109 GRUNDY, S 0.37 4
110 GYMER, Si 0.32 5
111 HAIG, SiC 0.37 4
112 HALL, SiL 0.32 5
113 HAMBURG, 0.43 5
114 HARNEY, S 0.32 5
115 HASTINGS, 0.32 5
116 HAYNIE, S 0.37 5
117 HECTOR, 0.17 2
118 HEDVILLE, 0.24 2
119 HEIZER, L 0.24 2
120 HEPLER, S 0.37 5
121 HOBBS, Si 0.32 5
122 HOLDREGE 0.32 5
123 HOLDREGE 0.20 5
124 HORD, SiL 0.32 5
125 HUMBARGE 0.28 5
126 INAVALE, 0.17 5
127 IRWIN, SiC 0.37 4
128 IVAN, SiL 0.32 5
129 JUDSON, S 0.32 5
130 KAHOLA, S 0.32 5
131 KANZA, LF 0.17 5
132 KASKI, L 0.28 5
133 KAW, SiL 0.32 5
134 KEITH, SiL 0.32 5
135 KENESAW, 0.32 5
136 KENNEBEC, 0.32 5
137 KENOMA, S 0.43 4
138 KIM, L 0.32 5
139 KIMO, SiC 0.37 5
140 KINGFISHE 0.32 4
141 KINGMAN, 0.32 5
142 KINGSDOW 0.20 5
143 KIPSON, S 0.32 2
144 KIRKLAND, 0.43 4
145 KNOX, SiL 0.32 5
146 KONOWA, 0.24 5
147 KRIER, L 0.32 3
148 KRIER, FS 0.24 3
149 KUMA, SiL 0.32 5
150 LABETTE, 0.37 3
151 LADOGA, S 0.32 5
152 LADYSMITH 0.37 4
153 LANCASTE 0.28 4
154 LANTON, S 0.32 5
155 LAS, CL 0.32 5
156 LAS, CL, m 0.32 4
157 LAS ANIMA 0.24 5
158 LAS ANIMA 0.17 5
159 LAS ANIMA 0.32 5
160 LEANNA, S 0.37 5
161 LEBO, SiC 0.32 4
162 LEBO, cha 0.24 4
163 LESHARA, 0.28 5
164 LESHO, C 0.28 4
165 LIKES, LS 0.17 5
166 LINCOLN, 0.17 5
167 LINCOLN, 0.24 5
168 LISMAS, C 0.28 2
169 LOCKHARD 0.37 4
170 LOFTON, 0.32 5
171 LOFTON, 0.24 5
172 LONGFORD 0.32 5
173 LUBBOCK, 0.32 5
174 LUCIEN, L 0.32 2
175 LULA, SiL 0.32 4
176 MANGUM, 0.28 5
177 MANSIC, C 0.28 5
178 MANSKER, 0.28 4
179 MANTER, 0.20 5
180 MANVEL, S 0.37 5
181 MARSHALL, 0.32 5
182 MARTIN, S 0.37 4
183 MASON, Si 0.32 5
184 MATFIELD, 0.24 3
185 MAYBERRY 0.37 4
186 MAYES, Si 0.37 4
187 McCOOK, S 0.32 5
188 McCOOK, 0.20 5
189 McCUNE, S 0.37 5
190 McLAIN, Si 0.37 5
191 MENTO, Si 0.37 4
192 MILAN, L 0.28 5
193 MINCO, Si 0.32 5
194 MINNEQUA, 0.37 4
195 MISSLER, 0.32 5
196 MONONA, 0.32 5
197 MORRILL, 0.28 5
198 MUIR, SiL 0.32 5
199 MUNJOR, 0.24 5
200 NARON, F 0.20 5
201 NASH, SiL 0.32 4
202 NASHVILLE 0.32 4
203 NESS, C 0.28 5
204 NEW CAMB 0.28 5
205 NEW CAMB 0.37 5
206 NEWTONIA, 0.32 5
207 NIBSON, S 0.32 2
208 NIOTAZE, 0.2 3
209 NIXA, SiL 0.32 3
210 NODAWAY, 0.37 5
211 NORGE, Si 0.32 5
212 NOWATA, S 0.32 3
213 NUCKOLLS, 0.32 5
214 OKEMAH, S 0.37 4
215 OLMITZ, C 0.28 5
216 OLPE, grav 0.24 3
217 OLPE, SiL 0.32 3
218 ONAWA, S 0.32 5
219 ONAWA, S 0.43 5
220 ORTELLO, 0.20 5
221 OSAGE, Si 0.28 5
222 OSAGE, Si 0.37 5
223 OSKA, SiC 0.37 3
224 OST, CL 0.28 5
225 OTERO, S 0.24 5
226 OTERO, gra 0.17 5
227 OWENS, C 0.37 2
228 PARSONS, 0.43 4
229 PAWNEE, 0.37 4
230 PENDON, 0.28 5
231 PENROSE, 0.32 2
232 PLATTE, F 0.24 2
233 PLEASANT, 0.37 4
234 PLEVNA, F 0.20 5
235 POLO, SiL 0.32 5
236 POND CREE 0.32 5
237 PORT, SiL 0.32 5
238 POTTER, L 0.32 2
239 PRATT, LF 0.17 5
240 PROMISE, 0.28 5
241 PRUE, FSL 0.20 5
242 QUINLAN, 0.32 2
243 RADLEY, S 0.32 5
244 RANDALL, 0.28 5
245 READING, 0.32 5
246 REINACH, 0.32 5
247 RENFROW, 0.43 4
248 RICHFIELD 0.32 5
249 RICHFIELD 0.20 5
250 RICHFIELD 0.17 5
251 RINGO, Si 0.28 3
252 RINGO, Si 0.37 3
253 RIVERTON, 0.24 3
254 ROSEHILL, 0.28 3
255 ROXBURY, 0.32 5
256 RUELLA, L 0.32 5
257 RYUS, SiC 0.32 5
258 SALTINE, S 0.32 5
259 SARPY, FS 0.15 5
260 SARPY, LF 0.17 5
261 SATANTA, 0.28 5
262 SATANTA, 0.20 5
263 SCHAMBER 0.17 3
264 SECESH, S 0.32 5
265 SHARPSBU 0.32 5
266 SHELBY, C 0.28 5
267 SHELBY, L 0.20 5
268 SHELLABA 0.20 5
269 SHELLABA 0.17 5
270 SHIDLER, 0.32 1
271 SIBLEYVIL 0.28 4
272 SMOLAN, S 0.37 4
273 SOGN, SiC 0.32 1
274 SOLOMON, 0.28 5
275 SPEARVILL 0.37 4
276 STEEDMAN 0.32 3
277 STEINAUE 0.32 5
278 STEPHENV 0.24 4
279 SUMMIT, S 0.37 4
280 SUTPHEN, 0.28 5
281 SUTPHEN, 0.37 5
282 SWEETWAT 0.28 5
283 TABLER, C 0.37 4
284 TALIHINA, 0.32 2
285 TALOKA, S 0.43 5
286 TAMAHA, S 0.43 5
287 THURMAN, 0.17 5
288 TIMKEN, C 0.32 2
289 TIVOLI, FS 0.15 5
290 TIVOLI, LF 0.17 5
291 TOBIN, SiL 0.32 5
292 TONTI, SiL 0.37 3
293 TRAVESSIL 0.17 1
294 TULLY, SiC 0.37 4
295 TULLY, che 0.28 4
296 ULY, SiL 0.32 5
297 ULYSSES, 0.32 5
298 VALENTINE 0.15 5
299 VALENTINE 0.17 5
300 VANOSS, S 0.32 5
301 VERDIGRIS 0.32 5
302 VERNON, 0.37 3
303 VERNON, 0.28 3
304 VINLAND, 0.32 2
305 VOLIN, SiL 0.32 5
306 VONA, LF 0.17 5
307 WABASH, 0.28 5
308 WABASH, 0.37 5
309 WAKEEN, S 0.32 4
310 WALDECK, 0.20 5
311 WANN, FS 0.20 5
312 WANN, L 0.28 5
313 WAURIKA, 0.43 4
314 WELDA, Si 0.32 5
315 WELLS, L 0.28 5
316 WOODSON, 0.43 4
317 WOODWAR 0.32 4
318 WYMORE, 0.37 4
319 WYNONA, 0.32 5
320 YAHOLA, S 0.24 5
321 ZAAR, SiC 0.28 5
322 ZAVALA, S 0.24 5
323 ZENDA, C 0.28 5
324 ZOOK, SiC 0.37 5
 LS Factor - Topography
The effect of slope length and steepness on water erosion appears in the LS, or
topography, factor. Erosion increases when either the length of the slope increases,
the steepness of the slope increases, or both.

Step 1. Enter a slope length (< 1000' ) in this cell. ( 400

Step 2. Enter a slope steepness (< 25% ) in this cell. ( 3

(
LS Factor = 0.512

Soil loss is more sensitive to changes in

slope steepness
Photo than to slope length.
source: http://topsoil.nserl.purdue.edu/weppmain/jhtml/wtrersn.html

0.4
 Column # and % Ground Cover

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1 Current Cr 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
2 Corn or so 0.32 0.28 0.24 0.2 0.16 0.14 0.11 0.08 0.06 0.04
3 Small grain 0.25 0.23 0.2 0.17 0.14 0.12 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.03
4 Small grain 0.22 0.2 0.18 0.16 0.14 0.12 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.03
5 Small grain 0.23 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.14 0.12 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.03
6 Corn or so 0.3 0.28 0.26 0.2 0.16 0.14 0.11 0.08 0.06 0.04
7 Soybean co 0.43 0.37 0.35 0.3 0.25 0.22 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.08
8 Soybean or 0.33 0.29 0.26 0.21 0.17 0.15 0.12 0.08 0.06 0.04
9 Forage or s 0.3 0.28 0.26 0.2 0.16 0.14 0.11 0.08 0.06 0.04
10 Other crop 0.33 0.29 0.26 0.24 0.2 0.18 0.16 0.12 0.08 0.06
11 Special Cr 1 0.01 0.02 0.3 1 0.01 0.01
12 Woodland 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
13 Bare 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

CTABLE Row Selection Sequence

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 6 2 2 6 2
2 3 5 5 4 3 4
3 2 6 2 2 6 2
4 7 8 8 8 8 7
5 8 8 8 8 8 8
6 10 10 10 10 10 10
7 11 11 11 11 11 11

CTABLE Adjustment Selection Sequence

CropType 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 1 1 0.56 1 1 1.25
2 1 1 0.56 1 1 1.25
3 1 1 0.56 1 1 1.25
4 1 1 0.56 1 1 1
5 1 1 0.56 1 1 1.25
6 1 1 0.56 1 1 1.25
 P Factor - Erosion Control Practices

Management practices that reduce the erosivity of water moving across slopes will
reduce soil erosion. Contouring, strip-cropping, terraces, and grassed waterways are
all examples of erosion control practices used to establish the P factor.

Contouring is tilling and planting across the slope rather than with it. Strip-cropping
uses alternate bands of cover and row crops across the slope. Terraces are soil
embankments that reshape slopes into a series of short slopes that slow water flow and
reduce its erosivity. Terraces that open to grassed waterways further limit erosion.

Click on the "Make P-factor Selections" button

to change management and adjust the P-factor.

Current Erosion Control Practices Adjustment

Unadjusted P-factor : 1.00
Contouring: 0.50
Strip-cropping: not used 1.00
Terraces : not used 1.00
*Adjusted P-factor : 0.50
*The product of all the factors.
PFACTOR 2
0 Contouring Slope Contour Strip-crop
1 Strip-cropping 1 <2.5 0.6 0.3
 2 No practice 2 2.5-8.4 0.5 0.25
3 8.5-12.4 0.6 0.3
2 4 12.5-16.4 0.7 0.35
TERRACE 0 Terraces, closed outlets 5 16.5-20.4 0.8 0.4
1 Terraces, open outlets 6 20.5-25 0.9 0.45
2 No terraces

TERRACE INTERVAL Closed Open

0 <110 ft (33 m) 1 <110 0.5 0.7
1 110-140 ft (33-43 m) 2 110-140 0.6 0.8
2 140-180 ft (43-55 m) 3 140-180 0.7 0.9
3 180-225 ft (55-68 m) 4 180-225 0.8 0.9
4 225-330 ft (68-100 m) 5 225-300 0.9 1
5 >300 ft (100 m) 6 >300 1 1

PROW 8 P_UNADJ 1
PCOL 2 TERRADJ 1
TERRADJ trigger cell 1 P_ADJ 1
4-Jan-18 USLE RESULTS
A = R * K * LS * C * P

Predicted Soil Loss Tolerable Soil Loss

A= 2.9 tons/acre/year T= 4 tons/acre/year

When: R= 289 Soil Type: MARTIN, SiCL

K= 0.37 Slope: 3 %
LS = 0.51 Length: 400 feet
C= 0.11 Crop: Wheat/oats, after row crop
P= 0.50 Cover: 50 %
Practice: Contouring
No terraces

Congratulations! This is a soil conserving system.

 A B C D E F G H I J K L M
99 Cropping Systems % Cover Tillage Effect
100 3 1 Corn/sorghum, continuous 6 1 0 2 1 0.70 No-till
101 2 Wheat/oats, continuous 2 10 2 0.70 Conservation-till
102 3 Wheat/oats, after row crop 3 20 3 0.75 Ridge-till, on the contour
103 4 Wheat/oats, after fallow 4 30 4 1.50 Plowed, spring
104 5 Corn/sorghum, after wheat/oats 5 40 5 1.70 Plowed, fall
105 6 Soybean, continuous 6 50 6 1.00 Other
106 7 Soybean/sunflower, not continuous 7 60
107 8 Canola/cotton 8 70
108 9 Vegetables/beets 9 80
109 10 Grass and legume mix 10 90
110 11 Alfalfa
111 12 Woodland
112 13 Bare soil
113
114
115
116
117 Expected Yield Previous Crop
118 2 1 1.2 Below average yield 1 1 1.25 Soybean
119 2 1.0 Average yield 2 0.52 Grass/legume
120 3 0.8 Above average yield 3 1.00 Other
121
 N
99
100
101
ge-till, on the contour
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
 P Factor - Erosion Control Selections
Instructions: Make a selection from each of these lists.
Which conservation
practice is used?

Strip-cropping reduces
erosion more than
contouring.

Planting crop rows across Contouring

Alternating strips of row crop and
contour slopes reduces Strip-cropping
cover crop reduce soil erosion.
soil erosion. No practice

Which terraces, if any, Terrace Interval?

are used? Omit if terraces aren't used.

Short intervals between

Closed terraces reduce
terraces reduce erosion
erosion more than open
more than wide intervals.
terraces.

Terraces, closed outlets <110 ft (33 m)

Terraces, open outlets 110-140 ft (33-43 m)
No terraces 140-180 ft (43-55 m) Photo source: http://www.al.nrcs.usda.gov/bmp/
180-225 ft (55-68 m)
225-330 ft (68-100 m)
>300 ft (100 m)
 0.5

Slope: 3
1 1 Contouring
2 Strip-cropping 2 Slope
3 No practice 1 <2.5
 2 2.5-8.4
3 8.5-12.4
4 12.5-16.4
3 1 Terraces, closed outlets 5 16.5-20.4
2 Terraces, open outlets 6 20.5-25
3 No terraces

TERRACE INTERVAL Closed Open

1 1 <110 ft (33 m) 0.5 0.7
2 110-140 ft (33-43 m) 0.6 0.8
3 140-180 ft (43-55 m) 0.7 0.9
4 180-225 ft (55-68 m) 0.8 0.9
5 225-330 ft (68-100 m) 0.9 1
6 >300 ft (100 m) 1 1

PROW 8 P_UNADJ 1
PCOL 2 TERRADJ 1
TERRADJ trigger cell 1 P_ADJ 1
al.nrcs.usda.gov/bmp/
Contour Strip-crop
0.6 0.3
0.5 0.25
0.6 0.3
0.7 0.35
0.8 0.4
0.9 0.45
 Management suggestions
to reduce the C factor in
the USLE.

- No. 1 suggestion: Increase the amount of residue cover.

- Change the crop sequence. C values decrease as you move down this list:
Bare (no crop)
Soybean, continuous
Soybean or sunflower, after small grains
Canola, cotton, vegetables, beets
Corn or sorghum, continuous
Corn or sorghum, after small grains or row crops
Sorghum or forage, drilled after small grains or row crops
Small grains, continuous
Small grains, after fallow
Small grains, after row crops
Alfalfa, legumes, woodland, grassland
- Change the tillage. C values decrease as you move down this list.
Fall plowed
Spring plowed
Most tillage other than those listed
Ridge-till on the contour
No-till, narrow slot planter
- Manage for high yields. C values decrease as yields increase.
- Minimize the interval between tillage and planting dates.
Photo source: http://www.al.nrcs.usda.gov/bmp/contour.html
 Management suggestions to reduce the P factor in the USLE.

- Use contour planting: plant rows around the slope and not up and down the slope.
- Use strip cropping: bands of grass/legume between contour planted row crops.
- Use terraces.

Closed terraces have a lower P factor than open terraces.

Minimize distances between terraces to slow water flow.

- Utilize grass waterways and buffer strips.

 Theory of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

R - How the Rainfall Erosion Factor is determined.

The best indicator of rainfall erosion potential is called the "erosion index". This
index is the product of the kinetic energy of a storm and its maximum 30-minute
intensity. A rainfall energy table and a recording raingauge provide the input for this
calculation.
The annual erosion index is the sum of all the individual storm indices. Annual
soil erosion is proportional to the annual erosion index, i.e. areas with large indices
have more soil erosion than areas with small indices.
Storms with the same erosion index may cause different amounts of erosion if
other factors affecting erosion are not similar. For example, soil erosion will be less
if the storm occurs during a period of high crop cover on the site. Accordingly, erosion
indices must be adjusted for their period of occurrence.
State soil scientists have used long-term weather and cropping records to determine
the R factor for the locations shown on the Kansas map. You may extrapolate and
input values other than those posted.
 Theory of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

K - How the Soil Erodibility Factor is determined.

The properties unique to each soil determines its inherent susceptibility to erosion.
Studies of soil loss from bare, 22 meter long plots with 9% slope showed the two most
significant soil properties influencing erosion were (1) structural stability, and organic
(2) infiltration capacity. These properties, in turn, are affected by soil texture, organic
content, kind and amount of swelling clays, susceptibility to crusting, and depth to
impervious layers.
Stable soil aggregates resist breakdown by raindrops and maintain pore channels
essential for infiltration. Water that doesn't infiltrate erodes soil as it moves across the
landscape. Organic matter and clays "glue" soil particles and promote stability.
Swelling clays, however, can cause aggregate deterioration.
Because the factors that affect the K factor are somewhat stable for each soil type,
soil scientists have assigned a K factor to each soil series in the state. When you
select a soil type, its K factor is registered into the equation.
 Theory of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

LS - How the Soil Topographic Factor is determined.

Both the length and steepness of a slope influence soil erosion and need to be part
of the topographic factor (LS). Scientists studied the loss of soil from bare plots and
noted how erosion changed relative to slope length and steepness.
The relationship of erosion to slope length is exponential and is described by the
formula: Erosion = lengthx, where x varies between 0.2 and 0.5 and is determined by
steepness. (For slopes <1% x = 0.2, for slopes 1-3% x = 0.3, for slopes 3-5% x = 0.4
and for slopes >5% x = 0.5). This relationship means that erosion is more sensitive to
steepness than to length.
The relationship of erosion to slope steepness is best defined by a quadratic
equation:
Erosion = a(slope)2 + b(slope) + c (where a, b, and c are constants).
Your input for slope length and steepness generated an LS factor by combining
those two equations:
LS = (length / 72.6)x (0.0065(slope)2 + 0.0456(slope) + 0.065).
 Theory of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

C - How Crop & Cover Management Factor is determined.

Of all the factors in the USLE, managers have the most control over C, the crop and
cover mangement factor. Marked differences exist among crops in their ability to
reduce erosion by the canopy protection offered while the crop is growing, or by the
residue cover remaining from previous growth. Studies have compared the erosion from
bare soil to that from similar plots with various combinations of current crop, previous
crop, and residue cover left by associated tillage operations.
Your cropping sequence and residue cover choices prompts selection of a C factor
from a large database. Other than bare soils, continuous row crops (soybean>corn
= sorghum) produce the biggest C factors. Including small grains (wheat, oats,
barley, etc.) in rotation with row crops lowers the C factor. As the amount of residue
cover on the soil increases, the C factor decreases.
Compared to average yields, high yields reduce the C factor by 20% and low yields
increase the C factor by 20%. Certain tillage operations also modify the C factor:
no-till planting (-30%), ridge-till planting (-25%), spring plowing (+50%), and fall
plowing (+70%). The C factor for plowed meadow increases as the time between
plowing and planting increases. The C factor is increased 25% whenever a crop other
than soybean is planted into soybean residue.
 Theory of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

C Factor Table: C factors for a number of crop sequences and ground cover
percentages are showns in this table. Use the following crop key: C = corn,
S=grain sorghum, SG=small grains (wheat, oats, barley), SB=soybean,
SF=sunflower, F=forage sorghum, and RC=row crop (corn or sorghum).

Percent Ground Cover

Current Crop/Previous Crop 0 10 20 30 40
C or S / C or S 0.32 0.28 0.24 0.2 0.16
SG / SG 0.25 0.23 0.2 0.17 0.14
SG / RC 0.22 0.2 0.18 0.16 0.14
SG / fallow 0.23 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.14
C or S / SG 0.3 0.28 0.26 0.2 0.16
SB /SB 0.43 0.37 0.35 0.3 0.25
SB or SF / SG or RC 0.33 0.29 0.26 0.21 0.17
F or drilled S / SG or RC 0.3 0.28 0.26 0.2 0.16
Others / SG or RC 0.33 0.29 0.26 0.24 0.2
Special Crops 0.005 0.02 0.003 1

Percent Ground Cover

Current Crop/Previous Crop 50 60 70 80 90
C or S / C or S 0.14 0.11 0.08 0.06 0.04
SG / SG 0.12 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.03
SG / RC 0.12 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.03
SG / fallow 0.12 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.03
C or S / SG 0.14 0.11 0.08 0.06 0.04
SB /SB 0.22 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.08
SB or SF / SG or RC 0.15 0.12 0.08 0.06 0.04
F or drilled S / SG or RC 0.14 0.11 0.08 0.06 0.04
Others / SG or RC 0.18 0.16 0.12 0.08 0.06
Special Crops
 Theory of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

P - How the Conservation Practice Factor is determined.

Conservation practices can reduce soil erosion. The conservation practice factor (P)
is the ratio of erosion with use of a practice to the soil loss when no practices are used.
Either contouring (tilling and planting across the slope rather than up and down the
slope) or strip-cropping (alternating bands of tilled and untilled crops across the slope)
can be selected as conservation practices that reduce erosion.
If no conservation practice is selected, then P factor = 1. If either contouring or strip
cropping is practiced, a P value less than one will be used depending on the slope of
the soil where the practice is employed (See P Table 1).

P Table 1. P Value
Slope, % Contour Strip-Crop No Practice
<3 0.6 0.3 1
3-7 0.5 0.25 1
8-15 0.6 0.3 1
13 - 16 0.7 0.35 1
17 - 20 0.8 0.4 1
21 - 25 0.9 0.45 1

If either contouring or strip-cropping is practiced, you will be asked whether or not

terraces (a raised embankment constructed across the slope) are present and, if so,
whether they have closed or open drainage outlets. Closed outlets trap runoff water,
but provide no lateral or tile drainage away from the terrace. If terraces are employed,
a terrace factor (See P Table 2) will be multiplied times the P value from the previous.
table and this product will be entered into the USLE.

P Table 2. Terrace Factor

Terrace Terrace Outlets
interval, ft interval, m Closed Open
< 110 < 33 0.5 0.7
110 - 140 33 - 43 0.6 0.8
140 - 180 43 - 55 0.7 0.8
180 - 225 55 - 68 0.8 0.9
225 - 330 68 - 100 0.9 0.9
> 330 > 100 1 1
 Theory of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

T - How the Tolerable Erosion Value is determined.

Though preferred, zero tolerance for erosion is probably not practical, so soil-loss
tolerance limits, known as T values, have been assigned to soils. USDA and other
soil scientists have developed T values from years of experience and some research
on how soil productivity is degraded by erosion.

T values commonly range from 2-5 tons of soil loss per acre per year. When soil
quality is sensitive to small erosion losses, low T values have been assigned. For
deep soils with favorable rooting zones, 5 tons/acre is the maximum T value assigned.

Use of a tolerable erosion concept in the USLE should not suggest that soil
productivity is reduced only when erosion exceeds the tolerable level. Any soil loss
can lead to a change in soil quality. Data from 1992 point out that about one-third of
all cropland in the United States is eroding at rates in excess of T. Attention to soil
conservation remains essential in preserving soil quality.