EFFECT OF RAINFALL INTENSITY AND ENERGY ON GULLY DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHEASTERN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

An in-depth study of rainfall parameters and gully developments in four experimental sites in northeastern, Enugu state of Nigeria has been carried out. The study involved an environmental report of the study area, use of four experimental sites where data on rainfall parameters were obtained. Thereafter the data were analysed. Weekly computed values of rainfall intensities and kinetic energy were used to assess the weekly corresponding incremental rates of gully developments in the sites. Also the galling impact of soil erosion on the study locations which were observed to have biophysical and socio-economic ramifications were looked at. Farming is the dominant land use of the area intensifies in two orders of magnitude annually. Also, the high rainfall belts of the study area, frail soil type, undulating topography among others factors make it susceptible to soil erosion. The findings show a high correlation between rainfall intensities against gully growth as well as between rainfall kinetic energy and gully developments. Gully erosion management measures such as the planting of suckers, wattles, live stick fencing, post management of stabilized gullies and soil erosion awareness were proffered to stem the hazard.