Assessment of Soil Loss Change in Orlu and Environs Between 2012 and 2017

Soil erosion generally is caused by several factors working simultaneously or individually to detach transports and deposit soil particles in different place other than where they were formed (Igwe, 2012). This study aimed to assess the soil loss change in Orlu and environs between 2012 to 2017. The Multi-date landsat Etm+ of 2007, 2012 and 2017 and Aster DEm were downloaded through United State Geological Survey (USGS) web Site. the landsat imageries were used to assess the cover and management C factor through the maximum likehood image classification, the Runoff Erosivity R factor were derived from Rainfall data of January 2007 to December 2017. The soil erodibility K factor was extracted using georeferencing and digitizing of soil map. The aster Dem was used to generate the conservation support practices P factor and Slope Length and Steepness Factor, (LS) LS factor. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was employed to estimate annual soil loss between 2007, 2012 and 2017. The results of the study indicate that the amount of soil loss in the study area is high. Analysis of soil loss shows that Orlu LGA loss it soil annually at very high rate than Ideato North. While the soil loss in Ideato south decreased at rate of 150.2 annually from 2007 to 2012. But due to the high rate of Rainfall and topographic modification over the period of 2012 to 2017, the annual soil loss of all the LGA increased. Construction of concrete drains to accommodate run off during rainfall should be encouraged to avoid run off diversions therefore speeding up of gully formations.