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The USLE equation provides techniques for numerically evaluating effects of climate, soil properties, topography, crop-productivity level, time and method of seeding, crop sequence, residue management, special conservation practices, and other pertinent variables that effect soil erosion.  It is a required element in farm and ranch plans used to qualify for USDA assistance programs;  it is an invaluable tool for natural resource inventories carried out in the United States;  it has been the basis of economic analyses related to agriculture;  and it has been an important element in analyses dealing with assessment and control of surface water quality. 

The National Soil Erosion Research Lab, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, serves as the repository for the USLE data which is made available via this web site. 

The data is available in three different sets: Storm Data, Soil Loss and Runoff, and Site Specific Data.  These sets are taken from various locations from all over the United States. 

View the Data Index Table to locate the set of data in the desired location.  The information on this page is constantly up-dated as the data sets are transferred to the computer.

The USLE was first implemented by the USDA-Soil Conservation Service (now Natural Resources Conservation Service) in the early 1960’s. AH282, published in 1965, documents the USLE at that time. The USLE has evolved through time and its application has greatly expanded from that in the early 1960’s. AH537, published in 1978, documents the USLE as ARS recommended it be used in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.

USDA-Agriculture Handbook (AH) 537 (9MB)

USDA-Agriculture Handbook (AH) 282 (6.3MB)