Sediment supply to canals (2022)

Soil erosion leads to sediment transport through the landscape until sedimentation occurs on land or the sediment flow reaches watercourses, canals or sewers. This data layer represents the modelled sediment supply to canals that are not part of the Flemish Hydrographic Atlas (VHA), expressed in tonnes of sediment that reach these canals on average annually at a given location. The modelling was carried out with the CN-WS model version 4.2.3 in combination with pycnws version 0.6.3. The calculation was done on a scale of Flanders at a resolution of 20 m. This data layer is an indication of the average sediment supply calculated with an average precipitation erosivity factor of the last 30 years. Scenario A was applied, whereby agricultural parcels are considered grassland when they have a permanent crop cover for at least 2 consecutive years. All other agricultural parcels are considered to be average arable land. The modelling is based on the 2022 agricultural parcel map. The anti-erosion measures implemented in 2022 through management agreements or small-scale anti-erosion works were taken into account. Locally, the modelled values may differ from the real values, as each modelling is only an approximation of reality. Moreover, only the input data that is available and part of the model can be taken into account.