Carlos V. Alonso Research Leader (662)232-2969 WATERSHED PHYSICAL PROCESSES RESEARCH UNIT P. O. Box 1157, Mc Elroy Drive Oxford, MS 38655

Mission The mission of the Watershed Physical Processes Research Unit of the National Sedimentation Laboratory is to improve understanding of the interaction between agricultural conservation practices and the resultant landscape and environmental response, and to develop better land conservation planning by: (1) quantifying infiltration and runoff processes; (2) developing methods to characterize soil erosion by concentrated flows, and ephemeral and edge-of-field gully erosion; (3) improving erosion control through better conservation cropping systems and structural practices such as filter and field buffer strips, stiff-grass hedges, grassed waterways, subsurface drainage, and detention ponds; (4) data collection in the ARS Goodwin Creek and Topashaw Canal Experimental Watersheds to evaluate the effect of climate, land use and stabilization measures on downstream sediment yield; (5) determining sources and characteristics of eroded sediment; (6) researching the application of acoustic and seismic techniques to monitor in-situ soil physical parameters, in stream suspended sediment loads, and sediment accumulation in impounded water bodies; (7) evaluating the effects of remedial measures on stream channel erosion; (8) examining the effects of riparian vegetation on stream response; (9) assessing sedimentation issues within USDA-NRCS flood control reservoirs; (10) developing methods for establishing clean sediment TMDL criteria; (11) developing computer modeling technology to evaluate the long-term impact of land management and stream stabilization on sediment yield and channel adjustments that endanger land and infrastructure; and (12) transfer technology and cooperate with other federal, state, and local agencies.