The Wind Erosion Prediction System or 'WEPS' is a process based, daily time-step, wind erosion simulation model. It represents the latest in wind erosion prediction technology and is designed to provide wind erosion soil loss estimates from cultivated, agricultural fields. WEPS consists of the computer implementation of WEPS science with a user interface designed to provide a easy to use methods of providing inputs to the model and obtaining output reports.
The WEPS Online Help System is designed to provide information to different levels of users. The minimum computer requirements and the steps to install WEPS on your computer are described below. Those users who are completely new to WEPS should start with the Quick Reference section. It is recommended that, as a minimum preparation to use WEPS, the user should read the Overview of the Wind Erosion Prediction System Once WEPS has been installed on your computer, the user should learn how to make a simple simulation run using the Quick Start for WEPS 1.0
More experienced users should become familiar with How to Operate WEPS, which goes into detail of how to use all of the capabilities of WEPS. More explinations on interpreting outputs, using WEPS in conservation planning, and example problems are contained in, Using WEPS in Conservation Planning
For users interested in more details of the science behind WEPS, the section titled Science - How WEPS Simulates Wind Erosion is recommended. A more detailed description of the science of the WEPS model is available in the "WEPS Technical Description" which is available from WERU.
Throughout these help screens, the "user" refers to the person(s) using WEPS to set up and make a simulation run. "Operator" refers to the producer or land manager whose actual field is being simulated with WEPS.
The minimum recommended requirements to install and operate WEPS1.0 effectively are: A personal computer (PC) with Windows 95/98 (48 Mb RAM), Windows NT (64 Mb RAM), Windows 2000 (192 Mb RAM), or Windows XP (256 Mb RAM); 300 MHz Pentium; 150 Mb free disk space on the hard drive; a CR-ROM drive for installation; and a VGA color monitor with a minimum screen resolution if 800 x 600 pixels. Contact WERU if you need assistance.
For Windows operating systems, insert the WEPS1.0 CD into the CD-ROM drive. Click [Start] [Run] and enter {w:/setup} where "w" represents the drive letter for your CD-ROM drive. Follow the instructions on the screen. NOTE: See the "readme" file for up-to-date installation instructions for this CD-ROM. Note that on Windows NT, 2000, and XP machines, the user must either be logged in as "administrator" or have sufficient privileges to successfully install WEPS 1.0. The WEPS install program will inform the user attempting installation if they do not have sufficient privileges to perform installation.
WEPS1.0 updates are also available for download on the WERU web site at http://www.weru.ksu.edu/weps. Follow the link for WEPS download and fill out the WEPS Download Registration form. By filling out the registration form, WERU will provide notices of updates to the model. The download file consists of an executable file which will install WEPS onto your computer.
Phone: 785-537-5559
For more information, e-mail: weps@weru.ksu.edu.