Accelerated soil erosion is the major problem causing both on-site and off-site effects. This study aimed to estimate and quantify the soil loss of the Yemeles watershed using a GIS-based RUSLE model and to prioritize sub-watersheds for soil conservation planning.

The soil loss rate of the study watershed was estimated using a GIS-based RUSLE model with climatic data, spatial information, a soil map, a digital elevation model (DEM), land use, and soil management practices as input data for the RUSLE model. The results of this study indicate that the average annual soil loss is 10.86 t ha^-1 yr^-1.

Over the total watershed area (1242.88 ha), 137,098 tons of soil are eroded each year. The model results were evaluated for performance and performed well, with a sheet erosion value measured and an R² value of 0.8244. Based on the average annual soil loss, 43.5% of the watershed area was covered by the light soil loss class (0-5 t ha^-1 yr^-1), and about 39% of the watershed had soil loss above the tolerance level, classified as high, severe, and very severe soil loss classes of 11-50 t ha^-1 yr^-1, 50-100 t ha^-1 yr^-1, and >100 t ha^-1 yr^-1 respectively.