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Increase the health of your fields by planting a crop and leaving it for an entire season. The benefits of cover crops have been publicized for years. Although they are grown primarily to prevent soil erosion, cover crops can also contribute to nitrogen production, increase soil microbial activity, reduce insect pests and suppress weeds. Viewer [...]

Rain is simply a part of life in the Northwest. But did you know that storm water runoff is one of the leading causes of water pollution in Puget Sound year-round? As rain water runs off yards and paved surfaces, it picks up pollutants such as oil, pesticides, fertilizers, trash, animal waste and soil. This often flows [...]

Did you know that it takes 500 to 1,000 years to build just one-inch of soil? Soils form slowly and continuously, thanks to a number of factors, including: Climate: Temperature, wind and water “weather” or break down rocks and minerals that form soils. Life: Burrowing animals, plant roots, tiny bacteria and fungi mix soils and [...]

Heavy rains can take a toll on our soils.  As a matter of fact, scientists estimate that worldwide, we’re losing soils between 10 and 40 times faster than they can be replaced.  And, 60 percent of that soil is washed into our surface waters – rivers, streams, and lakes – where it can decrease channel [...]

Two-thirds of Alabama, as well as parts of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia, flow into the Mobile Bay from the Mobile River watershed.  The Mobile River watershed has the fourth largest discharge rate in the U.S., with 62,500 cubic feet of water entering Mobile Bay per second!  This large volume of water carries 4.7 million metric tons [...]

Did you know that on average, Louisiana has the highest rates of erosion in the Gulf RegionWind and waves cause beach erosion, increasing the amount of sand and soil washed into the ocean. Sand and soil can cloud the water, block sunlight needed by aquatic plants for photosynthesis (food-making), and smother important fish habitat. Viewer [...]

Each year, an estimated four billion tons of precious topsoil are lost from America’s croplands. When soils make their way into rivers and streams, they can harm aquatic life and impair our drinking water. Additionally, soils can reduce the depth of navigable rivers, and clog reservoirs, which can harm power generation and water supplies.  On [...]

Yard trimmings are the second largest component of America’s waste stream (paper is the largest), and recent recycling efforts have resulted in 62 percent reduction in the amount of yard trimmings that make their way into landfills. One way to cut down on this number even more is to re-use your grass clippings. The annual clippings from [...]

More than 4.8 million metric tons (more than 10.5 billion pounds) of sediment – small particles of sand and soil – flow into the Mobile Bay Estuary each year! About one-third of that sediment stays in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, about half flows into Mobile Bay, and the rest makes it all the way to the [...]

As a result of erosion, Louisiana loses about fifty square miles of topsoil every year, and about 550 million tons of soil reach the Gulf each year from the Mississippi River.That’s enough soil to extend the coast of Louisiana 91 meters (almost 300 feet)!Soilsthat wash into Gulf waters can block sunlight that plants and animals [...]

Did you know that approximately 25 billion metric tons of soil, sediment, and suspended soils from cropland erosion and rain water runoff are deposited in the world’s surface waters (streams, rivers, and oceans) each year? An additional 50 billion tons is deposited from forests, grazing lands, urban construction sites and other sources. Soils can obstruct [...]

Puerto Rico’s mountainous watersheds tend to have steep, narrowstream valleys that discharge large amounts of water quickly during heavy rain storms. Scientists have found that rain water flowing from the mountainous areas of Puerto Rico towards the coast can carry a significant amount of sediment – orsoil – into coastal waters. As lands have been [...]

It is estimated that winds blowing over the Mississippi River Region could carry up to 1,000 times more soil than the river itself! Wind and water erosion deposit soils into the Mississippi River and its tributariesthat can harm marine life, block sunlight, and create murky water that eventually makes its way to the Gulf of [...]

Rainwater running over your property can carry soil away from gardens, plant beds, and other exposed areas, causing erosion problems in your yard and water quality problems in local streams and rivers.  One of the easiest ways to prevent soil loss at home is to add a layer of mulch over exposed soil.  Not only [...]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that up to 56 million dollars in economic losses result from crop erosion in the U.S. each year.  In some areas of Georgia, soil loss due to wind and rain erosion can be up to eight tons per acre per year!  Wind erosion can be particulary problematic in dry [...]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that up to 56 million dollars in economic losses result from crop erosion in the U.S. each year.  In some areas of Alabama, soil loss due to wind and rain erosion can be up to eight tons per acre per year!  Wind erosion can be particulary problematic in dry [...]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that up to 56 million dollars in economic losses result from crop erosion in the U.S. each year.  In some areas of Kansas, soil loss due to wind and rain erosion can be up to eight tons per acre per year!  Wind erosion can be particulary problematic in dry [...]

Did you know that 90 percent of all living things found in Wisconsin lakes and streams are found along the shallow banks and shores?  In fact, 80 percent of the plants and animals on Wisconsin’s endangered species list live all or part of their life in the near-shore zone. Viewer Tip:  Protecting natural shoreline from [...]

Sediment – better known as dirt – has been documented as the leading water pollution source in rivers and streams throughout Georgia.  When rain water runs over construction sites and bare spots in yards, it carries soil into the storm drain, and eventually to local rivers and streams.  Too much sediment in our waterways can [...]

Did you know that the Mississippi River drains more than 40 percent of the continental U.S.?  Each day, the River carries more than 436,000 tons of sediment  (dirt and soil) towards the Gulf of Mexico, adding up to more than 159 million tons per year!  When it rains, rainwater can carry soil away form bare [...]