Evaluation of the universal soil loss equation on a selected reclaimed eastern surface mine area

Abstract

Fifteen field plots were installed on a "Mountain Top Removal" type of surface mine near Beckley, West Virginia to evaluate the the predictability of the Universal Soil Loss Equation for a selected eastern surface mine spoil. Comparison of predicted and measured soil losses indicated significant error. For slopes greater than 20% the equation overpredicted for all predictions. Predictions for erosion losses greater than three tons/acre were significantly more accurate than those for losses less than 3 tons/acre. Comparison of soil characteristics of unmined and reclaimed areas indicated the reclaimed areas had significantly greater amounts of clay and silt present, and had greater bulk density. The reclaimed areas also had significantly lower infiltration rates, organic matter, very-fine sand and total sand. The erodibility factor, K, was also greater for the reclaimed area than for the unmined area.