| Cover Cropping |
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Cover crops are grown in rotation with annual row crops or inter-planted with perennial orchards, vineyards, and cane berries. Cover cropping can control winter soil erosion, add organic matter and nutrients to the soil, improve tilth, and increase infiltration and aeration of the soil. Cover crops can have a filtering effect on movement of sediment and sediment-attached pollutants.
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| Irrigation Water Management |
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| Irrigation water management consists of determining and controlling the rate, amount, and timing of irrigation water in a planned and efficient manner to promote the desired crop response while minimizing soil erosion and offsite movement of pollutants, including movement to groundwater. Conservation of water supplies is an additional benefit. |
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| Furrow Alignment |
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| Crop rows are established on planned grades and lengths to slow the rate of runoff from rainfall or irrigation events. This practice reduces erosion in furrow bottoms and the occurrence of furrow blowouts, and optimizes distribution of irrigation water. |
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| Diversions |
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| Diversions are channels constructed across slope with a supporting ridge on the lower side. The purpose is to divert excess water to a safe release point and prevent it from running through unstable cropland or sensitive areas where erosion could occur. Vegetated diversions are less likely to erode. |
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| Grassed Waterway |
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| A grassed waterway is a natural or constructed channel that is shaped or graded to adequate dimensions and planted with suitable vegetation for the stable transport of runoff. The purpose is to convey runoff from fields, diversions, or other water concentrations without causing damage to the channel or flooding. Water quality is improved by capturing sediments or nutrients and preventing waterway erosion. |
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| Underground Water Outlet |
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| A pipe is installed beneath the surface of the ground to collect surface water and convey it to a suitable outlet. The purpose is to reduce field and road erosion caused by surface runoff from steep or long slopes. With an underground outlet, concentrated flows are directed into riser inlets that connect to the buried pipe (shown in photo before being buried). |
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| Rural Road Management |
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| Road surfaces can be protected from rainfall erosion through a variety of techniques. Field access roads that are not frequently used in the winter can be seeded with quick growing winter grasses such as barley or ryegrass. Roads with more frequent use should be graded to minimize the flow of runoff on the road surface or may be surfaced with gravel. |
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| One of the most frequent sources of sediment from roadways is caused by unstable roadside ditches or culverts that dump water onto unprotected slopes. Drop culvert extensions (see above) carry the water to a stable outlet at the bottom of slope. |
