Abstract

The aim of this study is to define guidelines for watershed management for Darideresi watershed in accordance with the previously established potential erosion problems of the area and works conducted by responsible bodies. The study was carried out in Darideresi watershed, which is located in Antalya, near the border of Isparta Province, in Turkey. In this area, an irrigation dam was constructed. Since the watershed is important for the region, it is necessary to determine the erosion problems in it. As such, this research has been designed for this purpose. Moreover, a comparison has been made between resistances of soil to erosion in Darideresi watershed by means of erodibility indices, which depend on land use. The data obtained were evaluated in terms of the effects of water yield. The results of this study revealed that 41% of the forest areas were degraded. The percentage of farmlands on steep slopes were 17%, while the erodibility of soils in forested areas were lower. However, it was found that all land was highly sensitive to erosion. These results show that the dam is under the threat of sediment accumulation.Therefore, forest areas should be preserved and hydrological plans should be applied in the watershed area. In this study, all results were evaluated within the watershed principles and required applications, while water yield in watershed areas was proposed to the concerned authorities responsible for water production of watershed.

Key words: Darideresi watershed, erodibility indices, land use types, vegetation and water yield.