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Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 9/12/2007 Publication Date: 11/5/2007 Citation: Gilley, J.E. 2007. Managing Runoff from Cropland Areas. Storm Water Solutions. 1(5):10-14. (Popular Publication) Interpretive Summary: Crop yields may be negatively impacted if excessive amounts of runoff are lost from agricultural areas. Nutrients, pesticides, and pathogens transported in runoff can contribute to environmental concerns within streams and lakes. Therefore, it is important to properly manage runoff from cropland areas. The quantity of runoff from cropland areas is influenced by rainfall characteristics, soil conditions, topography, climate, and land use. Contouring, strip cropping, conservation tillage, terraces, buffer strips and grassed waterways can be effectively used to control runoff from cropland areas. Depending upon the severity of the problem, it may be necessary to use a combination of control measures to reduce runoff on selected sites to reasonable limits. The use of runoff control practices may provide important on-site and off-site benefits. Technical Abstract: Crop yields may be negatively impacted if excessive amounts of runoff are lost from agricultural areas. Nutrients, pesticides, and pathogens transported in runoff can contribute to environmental concerns within streams and lakes. Therefore, it is important to properly manage runoff from cropland areas. The quantity of runoff from cropland areas is influenced by rainfall characteristics, soil conditions, topography, climate, and land use. Contouring, strip cropping, conservation tillage, terraces, buffer strips and grassed waterways can be effectively used to control runoff from cropland areas. Depending upon the severity of the problem, it may be necessary to use a combination of control measures to reduce runoff on selected sites to reasonable limits. The use of runoff control practices may provide important on-site and off-site benefits. |
