Identification of Optimal Locations for Small-Scale Erosion Control Structures on Fort Hood, Texas.

A number of small-scale rock-fill erosion control structures check dams have been installed in gullies in a small watershed on Fort Hood. Watershed erosion parameters were measured to evaluate the effectiveness of the structures. The rates of gully scour and sediment accumulation between check dams were calculated from cross-sectional and longitudinal profile measurements and sediment capture and analysis over time. Integration of these measurements with data on precipitation, antecedent moisture, storm event water accumulation, soils, bedrock geology and slope resulted in quantification of the effectiveness of the check dams in reducing gully-erosion soil loss within the watershed. Spatial analysis of these data over a larger region using the ArcView GIS package resulted in a map layer identifying candidate sites for additional check dams to reduce soil erosion. Final map layers were distributed to the GIS users in the Fort Hood Public Works and Installation Training Area Management offices.