Effects of Hillslope Gully Stabilization on Erosion and Sediment Production in the Torreon Wash Watershed, New Mexico, 2009–2012 - Associated Data

Sediment erosion and deposition in two sets of paired (treated and untreated) upland drainages in the Torreon Wash watershed, upper Rio Puerco Basin, New Mexico, were examined over a 3 1/2-year period from spring 2009 through fall 2012. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of shallow, loose-stone check dams, or “one-rock dams,” as a hillslope gully erosion stabilization and mitigation method, and its potential for retaining upland eroded soils and decreasing delivery of sediment to lower ephemeral stream channels. Two high-resolution topographic surveys, completed at the beginning and end of the study period, were used to assess the impact of the mitigation measures in both Penistaja Tributary Arroyo and Papers Wash watersheds, and at six mainstem-channel cross-section clusters along Penistaja Tributary Arroyo and Papers Wash tributary in the Torreon Wash watershed. This data release contains the survey data, constructed cross sections, and associated precipitation data collected for the analysis used in this study.