Erosion Control
Soils are precious and without them life as we know it would be impossible. Our country’s top soils,
combined with intensive technological management, are the most productive soils on earth. Soil
provides a foundation for life, and erosion is its enemy. Erosion reduces soil productivity and is the
largest source of stream and waterway pollution. Although erosion is a natural process, some activities
greatly increase erosion rates by leaving the ground unprotected. Road and building construction and
some farming practices can lead to excessive erosion if proper management practices and precautions
are not taken. Over grazing pastures can lead to erosion by leaving the vegetation too weak to protect
the soil – stream banks are particularly susceptible.
Without deep, healthy topsoil we would find ourselves in a wasteland of desert-like conditions. Eroded
soils are not able to support desirable plant roots. Without the intricate network of plant roots and life
forms below the surface, water and snow would not penetrate and percolate throughout the
watershed. Stormwater would flush through the system, removing more soil particles with each storm
event. Try planting your garden in subsoil or bedrock!
Installing erosion control and conservation practices helps maintain soil productivity and reduces
fertilizer costs while reducing silt, chemicals and excessive nutrients that enter our waterways and lakes.
These practices also reduce costs for road maintenance, waterway dredging, and the maintenance of
recreation areas. We can maintain our natural resource base by using sustainable management
practices. One simple way to prevent erosion is to simply cover your soil with vegetation. Vegetation
will protect the soil from erosion by rain, runoff and wind. It also increases the uptake of water and
holds soils in place on slopes and along streams.
Franklin Roosevelt said, “The history of every nation is eventually written in the way in which it cares for
its soil.”
(For more information, see the section on Soil.)
Soil Saving Tips
 Keep all soils on your property well covered with vegetation.
 Cover crops, sod-forming grasses, native plants and ground covers are excellent soil protectors.
 Reseed immediately with weed-free grass seed after any earth disturbing activity.
 Grade and reshape roads and building sites to direct water to safe outlets and prevent standing
water on soils
Tree and Shrub Establishment can be utilized for long-term erosion control by slowing runoff and
allowing more time for nutrient absorption. (For more information on erosion control through tree,
shrub, and grasses, see Riparian Areas in the section Steams, Wetlands, and Water Quality Protection.)
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Access Roads
Reduce erosion by providing a fixed entry point into fields and pastures for year-round access.
Water Quality Benefits:
 Reduces soil erosion
 Reduces sediment and runoff entering fields
 Protects downstream water quality
When to Use:
Access roads are ideal as permanent or temporary structures in heavy traffic areas. Access roads should
be avoided in wetlands and riparian areas.
How to Establish:
Plan roads to follow natural contours and slopes. The minimum width for one-way traffic is 14 feet and
20 feet for two-way traffic with an additional 2 feet for shoulder construction. Ditches may be needed
to divert water.
Once construction is complete, re-vegetate as soon as possible. Vegetation will slow water traveling on
surfaces and reduce soil erosion. Filter strips and buffers can protect nearby water sources.
Considerations and Costs:
Before installing an access road, consider potential negative impacts. Improperly managed access roads
can negatively impact downstream flows, increase sedimentation in water, and impair water quality.
Access road maintenance can be substantial if soil erosion is a problem or if roads are poorly planned
and constructed. Costs associated with this practice may include filter strip and buffer plantings, surface
cover costs, silt fences and general maintenance. It may also be necessary to periodically re-cover
surfaces to maintain road integrity.
Access roads are moderate to high in cost depending on materials, size and construction.
Effectiveness:
Forest access road reconstruction can potentially reduce sediment yield by 70% using slope reduction,
vegetated and brush barriers, broad-based dips, hay bales and silt fences.
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References and Further Resources
All material in this guide is a compilation of and originated from the following publications.
Project Manager, Beth Mason, National Association of Conservation Districts
Small Pasture Management Guide (AG 508), Utah State University Cooperative Extension (2008), Utah
Hood River County Rural Living Handbook, Hood River Soil and Water Conservation District (2/2008),
Oregon
Wasco County Rural Living Handbook, Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District (9/2009),
Oregon
Deschutes County Rural Living Handbook, Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District, Oregon
Jefferson County Rural Living Handbook, Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District
(1/2009), Oregon
Managing Grazing for Sustainable Pastures, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and
Colorado State University Extension, Colorado
Planning for a Sustainable Homestead, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Colorado
State University Extension, Colorado
Living on a Few Acres in Wyoming (MP-86), University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service,
Wyoming
Landowning Colorado Style, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Colorado
Lake Superior Watershed Rural Property Guide, Superior Watershed Partnership and the University of
Wisconsin Extension (2008), Wisconsin
Tips on Land and Water Management for Small Farms and Ranches in Montana, Montana Department
of Natural Resources and Conservation (1997), Montana
Outdoors in Anoka County, Anoka Conservation District and the University of Minnesota Extension
Service, Minnesota
Rural Lifestyles, Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District (11/2009), Oregon
Pocket Guide, Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District (11/2009), Oregon
Jackson County Rural Living Handbook, Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District (10/2006), Oregon
Marion County Rural Living Handbook, Marion Soil and Water Conservation District (4/2011), Oregon
Best Management Practices for Georgia Agriculture, the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation
Commission (3/2007), Georgia
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Land and Water Management Guide for Non-Urban Areas in Mississippi, Mississippi Soil and Water
Conservation Commission, Mississippi
Rural Living, South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts, South Dakota Association of RC&D
Councils, South Dakota University/Cooperative Extension Service, and USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service (11/15/2004), South Dakota
North Dakota Rural Living Handbook, Grand Forks and Cass County Soil and Water Conservation
Districts (2009), North Dakota
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