Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Scientific Board, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Khorasan, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
3 Scientific Board, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, Iran
4 Scientific Board, Jihad-e-Keshavarzi Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Khorasan, Iran
Abstract
Determination of mean slope of a watershed area is an essential parameter in most of the water resources projects. There are many methods for determining this parameter. The methods frequently used can be listed as Justin, Networking, Horton, Eight points, Average slope curve and a Geographic Information System (GIS). Generally experts based on their experiences use one of the mentioned methods. Investigations in some watershed areas showed that the results of applying the various methods are considerable different in a given area. In order to obtain the most accurate method, it is necessary to compare the results of experimental methods with the mean slope which is directly measured in the field, namely direct method. In this study, three regions were selected in different parts of Khorasan Province. For these regions topographic maps with large scales of 1:1000 to 1:3000 were prepared. Afterward seven mountain slopes were chosen in the regions and mean slope was computed for the slopes using the above mentioned methods. The mean slope was directly measured in the field for all seven mountain slopes as well. The obtained results from the various methods have been compared with the direct method by Paired-Samples T test. Analysis showed that the Horton method is the most accurate method with respect to the others. Justin and GIS methods are in next order of accuracy in comparison with the direct method.
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