SOIL AND WATER QUALITY AND CONSERVATION – Week 11 Flashcards
WATER CONSERVATION METHODS
What are Terraces?
creation of stair step ridges that run across slopes
– water ponds up and has more time to percolate – erosion control can be difficult in hard rains.
WATER CONSERVATION METHODS
What is Contour Tilling and Strip Cropping?
farmed rows of crops are planted (or alternated with water slowing crops strips) on the contour lines of hills to slow runoff.
WATER CONSERVATION METHODS
What are Grass Waterways?
– protecting soil from erosion during hard rains by growing dense grass in all water channels and low areas.
WATER CONSERVATION METHODS
What is Furrow Diking?
long ditches for water retention
– especially used in dry regions
WATER CONSERVATION METHODS
What are Impoundments?
Keeping water and soil from running off into streams by catchment basins.
Used in mine reclamation, golf courses, subdivisions, etc.
Beavers were the original impounders.
WATER CONSERVATION METHODS
What are Offset Drainages?
creating drainageways that are on the higher points of a slope rather than in the main valleys so as to give the runoff more options instead of charging full steam into the main channels.
WATER CONSERVATION METHODS
What is Subsoiling?
deep ripping soil to break up the plowpan that compaction has caused allows water to penetrate more deeply.
WATER CONSERVATION METHODS
What is Aeration?
punching or coring holes in the soil with a large spined roller – often used on sports fields.
WATER CONSERVATION METHODS
What is Mulching?
keeps soil from crusting and slows evaporation from soil.
WATER CONSERVATION METHODS
What is Conservation Tilling (or No Till)?
planting through crop residues or spray killed cover crops.
WATER CONSERVATION METHODS
What are Fencerows and Windbreaks?
used especially on flat lands where winds can dry soil faster – slows the effect of winds
