###### Abstract  
The watershed area of the Mangla Reservoir spans across the Himalayan region of India and Pakistan, primarily consisting of the Jhelum River basin. The area is rugged with highly elevated, hilly terrain and relatively thin vegetation cover, which significantly increases the river's sediment output, especially during the monsoon season, leading to a decline in the reservoir's storage capacity. This work assesses the soil erosion risk in the Jhelum River watershed (Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), Pakistan) using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation of (RUSLE). The RUSLE components, including the conservation support or erosion control practice factor (P), soil erodibility factor (K), slope length and slope steepness factor (LS), rainfall erosivity factor (R), and crop cover factor (C), were integrated to compute soil erosion. Soil erosion risk and intensity maps were generated by computing the RUSLE parameters, which were then integrated with physical factors such as terrain units, elevation, slope, and land uses/cover to examine how these factors affect the spatial patterns of soil erosion loss. The 2021 rainfall data were utilized to compute the rainfall erosivity factor (R), and the soil erodibility (K) map was created using the world surface soil map prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The slope length and slope steepness factor (LS) were generated in the highly rough terrain using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model (SRTM DEM). The analysis revealed that the primary land use in the watershed was cultivated land, accounting for 27% of the area, and slopes of 30% or higher were present across two-thirds of the watershed. By multiplying the five variables, the study determined that the annual average soil loss was 23.47 t ha\({}^{-1}\) yr\({}^{-1}\). In areas with dense mixed forest cover, soil erosion rates ranged from 0.23 t ha\({}^{-1}\) yr\({}^{-1}\) to 25 t ha\({}^{-1}\) yr\({}^{-1}\). The findings indicated that 55.18% of the research area has a low erosion risk, 18.62% has a medium erosion risk, 13.66% has a high risk, and 11.6% has a very high erosion risk. The study's findings will provide guidelines to policy/decision makers for better management of the Mangla watershed. M 2023 1 202  
to the problem. These activities include overpopulation, deforestation for agriculture, high urban demands, as well as the extraction of wood and raw materials [6; 7; 8; 9]. Mangla and Tarbela watersheds are among the most vital water resources in Pakistan [10]. The Upper Jhelum Basin is the catchment area of the Mangla Reservoir, which is made up of high hills and relatively sparse vegetation. Particularly during the monsoon season (July to September), a large amount of silt is generated in the basin. This is due to heavy rainfall during monsoons, which leads to a high silt yield in the river [11]. Because of its morphology, the basin is exposed to landslides, floods, and earthquakes and is extremely prone to soil degradation [12]. The effects of land erosion on Mangla Dam are significant and far-reaching, impacting crucial areas such as agriculture, waterways, and infrastructure in the country [13; 14]. In particular, the physical stress caused by land erosion hinders the development of agriculture in the country, as it undermines the ability of farmers to grow crops and support their livelihoods. This underscores the urgent need to address land erosion to ensure the sustainability of agriculture and other vital sectors [15]. Additionally, the erosion leads to a reduction in water-holding capacity and soil nutrient accumulation, which inhibits the regrowth of vegetation [16; 17]. Globally, land erosion leads to an estimated $7 billion in damages to farms annually due to increased flooding [18; 19]. This damage extends to public and industrial water storage facilities, water-based recreation areas, and more. Sediments also contribute to increased flood risks and infrastructural damage, affecting roads, dams, buildings, and utility networks [20; 21; 22; 23].