Integration of the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model and GIS (Geographic Information System) for simulating soil erosion and sediment transport in the Cho Chu river basin

Nguyen Ngoc Anh; Hoang Nhat Anh; Nguyen Lan Huong; Chu Van Trung; Nguyen Huy Trung; Nguyen Duc Nhuan

##plugins.themes.huaf_theme.article.sidebar##

Published Feb 24, 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.46826/huaf-jasat.v10n1y2026.1292

##plugins.themes.huaf_theme.article.main##

Abstract

This study applied the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model integrated with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to simulate and assess soil erosion and sediment transport processes in the Cho Chu River Basin (Thai Nguyen) for the period 1990 - 2020. Input data included a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), soil and land-use maps, and standardized meteorological–hydrological time series, all processed spatially. The model divided the basin into 26 sub-basins and 273 Hydrological Response Units (HRUs). Results indicated that the average soil erosion across the basin was 76,710.97 tons/year, equivalent to 1.83 tons/ha/year. Erosion was unevenly distributed among sub-basins, with Sub-basin 25 experiencing the highest rate at 9,716.64 tons/year (2.35 tons/ha/year), and Sub-basin 16 the lowest at 3.61 tons/year (0.20 tons/ha/year). The total sediment load transported at the basin outlet averaged 36,218 tons/year and was mainly concentrated in the rainy season, peaking at 30,390 tons in July 2001 and reaching its lowest level during the dry season, with only 1.11 tons/month in February 1999. These findings confirm the effectiveness of the SWAT model in quantifying erosion and sediment transport processes in midland and mountainous regions, providing a scientific basis for land use planning, soil–water conservation, and the development of sustainable strategies to mitigate environmental risks.

##plugins.themes.huaf_theme.article.details##

How to Cite
Nguyen Ngoc Anh, Hoang Nhat Anh, Nguyen Lan Huong, Chu Van Trung, Nguyen Huy Trung, & Nguyen Duc Nhuan. (2026). Integration of the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model and GIS (Geographic Information System) for simulating soil erosion and sediment transport in the Cho Chu river basin. E-Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 10(1), 5402–5414. https://doi.org/10.46826/huaf-jasat.v10n1y2026.1292
Issue
Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Section
NATURAL RESOURCES - ENVIRONMENT
Copyright @ 2017-2026 by E-Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology

References

Lê Hoàng Tú, Nguyễn Thị Huyền, Phan Thị Hà, Đặng Nguyễn Đông Phương, Nguyễn Thành Nghĩa, Lê Minh Hải, Nguyễn Duy Liêm, Hoàng Hà Anh, Phạm Gia Điệp và Nguyễn Kim Lợi. (2021). Ứng dụng mô hình SWAT phục vụ phân vùng tài nguyên nước mặt và xói mòn đất tại tỉnh Gia Lai. Tạp chí Khí tượng Thủy văn, (732), 13–27.
Lê Mạnh Hùng, Trần Bá Hoằng, Nguyễn Duy Khang và Trần Tuấn Anh. (2012). Kết quả ứng dụng mô hình SWAT trong tính toán xói mòn bề mặt lưu vực hạ lưu sông MeKong. Tạp chí Khoa học và Công nghệ Thủy lợi, (12/2012), 25–32.
Nguyễn Thị Thu Huyền, Nguyễn Văn Hùng, Nguyễn Thanh Hùng, Vũ Đình Cường và Hoàng Mạnh Hùng. (2018). Nghiên cứu ứng dụng mô hình SWAT đánh giá biến động dòng chảy, bùn cát trên lưu vực sông Nhật Lệ, tỉnh Quảng Bình. Tạp chí Khoa học và Công nghệ Thủy lợi, (48/2018), 1–10.
Trần Việt Bách. (2017). Ứng dụng mô hình SWAT để tính toán lưu lượng dòng chảy và bùn cát trên lưu vực sông Cầu. Tạp chí Khoa học Kỹ thuật Thủy lợi và Môi trường, (56/2017), 136–142.
Borrelli, P., Robinson, D. A., Panagos, P., Lugato, E., Yang, J. E., Alewell, C., Wuepper, D., Montanarella, L., & Ballabio, C. (2020). Land use and climate change impacts on global soil erosion by water (2015–2070). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(36), 21994–22001.
Dechasa, A., Aga, A.O., & Dufera, T. (2022). Erosion Risk Assessment for Prioritization of Conservation Measures in the Watershed of Genale Dawa-3 Hydropower Dam, Ethiopia. Quaternary, 5(39), 19 pages.
Dutta, S., & Sen, D. (2018). Application of SWAT model for predicting soil erosion and sediment yield. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 4, 447–468.
Gull, S., & Shah, S. R. (2021). Modelling streamflow and sediment yield using Soil and Water Assessment Tool: A case study of Lidder watershed in Kashmir Himalayas, India. Water Practice and Technology, 16(4), 1370–1385.
Johnson, T., Butcher, J., Santell, S., Schwartz, S., Julius, S., & LeDuc, S. (2022). A review of climate change effects on practices for mitigating water quality impacts. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 13(5), 1684–1705.
Khoi, D. N., & Suetsugi, T. (2014). Impact of climate and land-use changes on hydrological processes and sediment yield—a case study of the Be River catchment, Vietnam. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59(5), 1095–1108.
Kido, R., Inoue, T., Hatono, M., & Yamanoi, K. (2023). Assessing the impact of climate change on sediment discharge using a large ensemble rainfall dataset in Pekerebetsu River basin, Hokkaido. Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, 10(54), 1–14.
Liu, Y., & Jiang, H. (2019). Sediment yield modeling using SWAT model: Case of Changjiang River Basin. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 234(2019), 1–10.
Neitsch, S. L., Arnold, J. G., Kiniry, J. R., & Williams, J. R. (2011). Soil and Water Assessment Tool Theoretical Documentation, Version 2009. Texas Water Resources Institute. TR–406, 647 pages.
Setegn, S. G., Dargahi, B., Srinivasan, R., & Melesse, A. M. (2010). Modeling of sediment yield from an ungauged watershed, Ethiopia using SWAT model. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 46(3), 515–526.
Sime, C. H., & Abebe, W. T. (2022). Sediment yield modeling and mapping of the spatial distribution of soil erosion–prone areas. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2022, 1–12.
Tenaw, W. G., Tadesse, K. B., & Kerebih, M. S. (2024). Estimation of sediment yield and evaluation of management options in the watershed using SWAT model. Air, Soil and Water Research, 17, 1–15.
Thai, T. H., Thao, N. P., & Dieu, B. T. (2017). Assessment and simulation of impacts of climate change on erosion and water flow by using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool and GIS: Case study in Upper Cau River basin in Vietnam. Vietnam Journal of Earth Sciences, 39(4), 376–392.
Zewde, N. T., Denboba, M. A., Tadesse, S. A., & Getahun, Y. S. (2024). Predicting runoff and sediment yields using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in the Jemma Subbasin of Upper Blue Nile, Central Ethiopia. Environmental Challenges, 14(2024), 13 pages.