Introduction

How to Use This Document

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 1.0 consists of the computer implementation of the WEPS science model with a graphical user interface designed to provide easy to use methods of entering inputs to the model and obtaining output reports. WEPS was developed by the Engineering and Wind Erosion Research Unit (EWERU) of the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.

The WEPS 1.0 User Manual is designed to provide information to different levels of users. Those users who are completely new to WEPS should start by reading all of this chapter to get an introduction to WEPS. It is recommended that, as a minimum preparation to use WEPS, the user should read the "Overview of the Wind Erosion Prediction System."

The minimum computer requirements and the steps to install WEPS onto your computer are described in this chapter. Once WEPS has been installed on your computer, you should learn how to make a simple simulation run using the "Quick Start for WEPS 1.0." More experienced users should become familiar with the "Interface Reference - How to Operate WEPS", which goes into detail of how to use all of the capabilities of WEPS 1.0. These details are also available in the 'Online Help,' accessible through the toolbars on the WEPS 1.0 interface screen.

"Using WEPS in Conservation Planning" contains sections on 'Interpreting Outputs', 'Special Field Configurations', and 'Using Barriers for Erosion Control in WEPS.' This section also has 'Exercises,' which guide the user through scenarios that describe how to use WEPS to design conservation systems.

The "Science Overview" contains information for more advanced users. For users interested in more details on the interface and science behind WEPS, 'Interface Implementation and Science Model' is recommended. An even more detailed description of the science of the WEPS model is available in the "WEPS Technical Description," which can be obtained from EWERU.

The Science Overview also contains information for more advanced users, such as the WEPS 'Databases' and a listing of 'Submodel Report Flags and Command Line Options.' Databases are described for the Weather, Soil, Management, Crop, Operation and Barrier sections of WEPS. Submodel Report Flags and Command Line Options are set under the 'Configurations' tabs available through the Main Screen of the interface. Certain permissions may be required to alter some of these flags and options. There is an section on "Using WEPS with Measured Data" that will be useful to researchers and other users, such as those outside the United States who do not have their soils data in the SSURGO database format.

Finally this manual contains a series of "HowTo" Guides which provide the user with in-
depth detail of simulating barriers and strip cropping. There are also "HowTo" Guides that guide the user in developing additional crop and operation database records.

Throughout this manual, the term "user" refers to the person(s) using WEPS 1.0 to set up and make a simulation run. "operator" refers to the producer or land manager whose actual field is being simulated with WEPS. This manual contains many graphics that are examples of what can be seen on the computer screen using WEPS. In addition, WEPS will continually be improved and the screens may change. Therefore, the user may or may not see the exact same screens as those illustrated in this manual.

WEPS is a model developed primarily for use by the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). As such, many of the capabilities of WEPS reflect the needs of NRCS for use in cultivated agricultural systems. But, WEPS has capabilities to be used in many other situations where wind affected soil movement is a problem. Contact EWERU if you wish to use WEPS to predict erosion for situations other than traditional cultivated agricultural systems.

Minimum Computer Requirements

The minimum recommended requirements to install and operate WEPS 1.0 effectively are: an Intel Pentium class processor, or equivalent, personal computer (PC); Windows XP or newer Microsoft operating system; 512 Mb RAM; 200 Mb free disk space; internet web access to download and install or a CD-ROM drive for installation; and a VGA color monitor with a minimum screen resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. WEPS also requires Java 1.6 or later (may be provided with some releases). WEPS has been run in the past on older releases of Windows, but is no longer tested on them. Versions for Linux and Unix are also available. Contact EWERU if you need versions for Linux/Unix or assistance.

Installation

For Windows operating systems, insert the WEPS CD into the CD-ROM drive (see web access and installation instructions are in the next paragraph). Click [Start], [Run], and enter {D:/WEPS_install.exe} where "D" represents the drive letter for your CD-ROM drive. Alternatively one can click on WEPS_install.exe within the CD-ROM drive, accessible using the 'explore' option through the 'My Computer' desktop icon. Follow the instructions on the screen. NOTE: See the "readme" file for up-to-date installation instructions for the installation CD-ROM. Also note that on Windows 7 machines (and possibly XP and Vista, depending on how they are configured), the user must either be logged in as "administrator" or have sufficient privileges to successfully install WEPS. The WEPS install program will inform the user attempting installation if they do not have sufficient privileges to perform the installation.

WEPS1.0 is also available for download on the EWERU web site at: http://www.weru.ksu.edu/weps . Click the link for "Downloads" and fill out the WEPS Download Registration form. If you fill out the registration form, EWERU will provide email notices of updates to the model. The download file consists of an executable file that will install WEPS onto your Windows computer. Contact EWERU if you need assistance at:

Phone:	785-776-2726

E-mail:	weps@weru.ksu.edu

URL:	http://www.weru.ksu.edu/weps

NOTE: NRCS users must obtain official copies of WEPS through their agency's official channels. The release of WEPS provided by NRCS is pre-configured to their specifications. Contact Mike Sporcic, Wind Erosion Specialist, for NRCS release of WEPS at:

(817) 509-3213.