Introduction to RUSLE2 - Predicting Water Erosion and Sediment Deposition Rates On Construction Sites

Presented by: David T Lightle, CPESC

Education Track: Erosion and Sediment Control
Course Length: Full Day
Credit: 7 Professional Development Hours
Technical Level: Intermediate

Federal and State regulations are increasingly requiring the use of erosion prediction models and tools to evaluate the off-site erosion and sediment deposition impacts of construction activities. New versions of the RUSLE 2 model contain specific functionality that address issues such as the sum of daily erosivity for the construction period to determine if an EPA permit is required and it also utilizes a segmented profile description to compare the effect of adding slope treatment practices in lieu of retaining all or part of existing vegetation buffer strips at the lower extent of construction. Learn how to apply the latest version of RUSLE2 and customized construction site databases to your erosion and sediment control design work.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Load the program, select and set the database, select and set the construction site screen template and navigate the RUSLE2 user interface.
  2. Download and Import appropriate database components from official sources to customize the RUSLE2 database for local use.
  3. Make appropriate database selections for the 6 user inputs necessary in making RUSLE2 runs on specific construction sites and customize those inputs to specify the timing of construction activities, types, rates and application methods of applied materials; specify the kinds and establishment level of vegetation; and specify the type, location and timing of any support practices used in different treatment alternatives.
  4. Independently work example problems and exercises and evaluate and discuss the outputs.
  5. Make appropriate entries in the worksheet screen to compare pre-construction conditions to various combinations of treatment practices in an erosion control planning environment and generate and print reports.

Interested in this course? Please contact IECA Education at: education@ieca.org | 303-640-7554




Presented by David T Lightle, CPESC

David Lightle brings over 50 years of erosion and sediment control experience to his clients. After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1967 and serving in the US Army in Vietnam, Dave joined the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (Formerly the Soil Conservation Service in 1966, holding various county, state and regional positions as a Soil Conservationist and Agronomist over his 44 year career. Prior to retirement, Lightle served as national database manager for erosion prediction models (RUSLE2 and WEPS). In addition Lightle was the lead contact for the RUSLE2 model for NRCS. Lightle also developed the SCI, the STIR rating, and other tools used by staff in the 3000 NRCS field offices. Lightle retired in 2010 and became a private consultant specializing in conducting RUSLE2 training and providing assistance to government agencies in adopting RUSLE2 for their jurisdictions. Lightle has conducted training workshops and assisted two Canadian provinces implement RUSLE2 by customizing the model and databases for use in Canada. In addition, Lightle's US clients include Caltrans, the Idaho Transportation Department, Southern California Edison, Sandia National Labs, the New Mexico Department of Transportation and Pacific Gas and Electric. In his consulting work Lightle has utilized a new modified version of RUSLE2 containing new perennial vegetation modeling science to develop a specific database and custom user screens and access controls for each customer. Lightle has developed numerous new sediment barrier practice files, new mulch and commercial erosion control blanket files, new perennial vegetation files and new management files to represent common Best Management Practices required by his clients. Lightle spoke at the CASQA conference in California in 2014 and has presented full day RUSLE2 training courses at Environmental Connection 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016 for the International Erosion Control Association.