CanHELP: a computer program to assist in designing on-farm erosion control practices

Abstract

CanHELP is a computer program designed to assist in the selection of site-specific erosion control practices. The program uses the Wind Erosion Equation and the Universal Soil Loss Equation. Realistic use of CanHELP requires that the user select input variables carefully and have a good working knowledge of the erosion equations. CanHELP consists of three main components; a soils database, and separate routines to estimate both wind and water erosion. The soils database stores information on the input variables for the erosion equations. The wind erosion routine estimates the amount of crop residue on the ground surface during the critical wind erosion period and calculates potential wind erosion. Average erosion from hillslopes is estimated using the water erosion routine. Graphs and on-screen calculations may then be used to select suitable conservation practices. CanHELP will be distributed by PFRA once documentation is complete.