Some Aspects Of Conservation Practices and Agricultural Related Pollutants

Sediment is the principal pollutant resulting from soil erosion on agricultural lands. Soil erosion also contributes to the delivery of other agricultural related pollutants to surface waters. Application of practices which control erosion on agricultural lands can be effective in reducing sediment and related pollutants in surface waters. Intensive application of terraces and other practices at critical locations will have the greatest effect on sediment reduction

Terraces For Erosion and Sediment Control

Terracing is the only practice that we now have that will control erosion on all land slopes under the cropping systems now being used in Iowa. Current research has proved the effectiveness of terraces in controlling erosion. Developments in terraces and terrace systems, such as making the terraces parallel, use of tile outlets, and changing the cross section and method of construction, have eliminated most of the farmer\u27s objection to farming with terraces. Terraces are effective and will be required, not only to protect erosive cropland, but also to decrease the sediment loads in the surface waters of the state