Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Rock Barrier Code: 555

Units: ft

C R P Pr O AL

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 5

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 5

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 0

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 0

 Compaction 0

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 0

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 1

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 0

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table 1

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 2

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 0

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Moisture Management 0

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 0

 Pesticides in Groundwater 0

 Nutrients in Surface water 0

 Nutrients in Groundwater 0

 Salts in Surface Water 1

 Salts in Groundwater -1

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 1 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

A rock retaining wall constructed across the slope to form and support a bench terrace that will control the flow of water and 

check erosion on sloping land.

Not Applicable

Slope length is shortened therefore reducing erosion by water.

Not Applicable

The slope length of the concentrated flow channel is shortened. 

May reduce sediment in runoff water which tends to increase gully erosion, but will also decrease runoff peaks

May reduce sediment in runoff water which tends to increase gully erosion, but will also decrease runoff peaks

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:

Barrier will act as drain.

The barrier will trap snow upwind of structures and animal concentration areas.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Barrier will act as drain.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Barriers should increase infiltration of water and any dissolved chemical. 

Infiltrating water behind barriers could leach salts from the profile when present.

Barriers should increase infiltration of water and any associated pathogens. Pathogens attached to deposited sediments will not 

reach surface waters

Not Applicable
 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water 2

 Elevated Water Temperature 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

Air Quality Impacts

 Emissions of Particulate Matter (PM) and PM Precursors 0

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 0

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) 0

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 1

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 0

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 0

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 0

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 5

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 0

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 0

 Inadequate Shelter 0

 Inadequate Water 0

Inefficient Energy Use

 Equipment and Facilities 0

 Farming/Ranching Practices and Field Operations 0

CPPE Practice Effects: 0 No Effect

5 Substantial Improvement -1 Slight Worsening

4 Moderate to Substantial Improvement -2 Slight to Moderate Worsening

3 Moderate Improvement -3 Moderate Worsening

2 Slight to Moderate Improvement -4 Moderate to Substantial Worsening

1 Slight Improvement -5 Substantial Worsening

Not Applicable

Benching will reduce slopes and erosion.

Not Applicable

Barriers should increase infiltration of water and any dissolved chemical. Chemicals attached to deposited sediments will not reach 

surface waters. 

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Terracing promotes vegetative growth that removes CO2 from the air and stores it in the form of carbon in the plants and soil.

Not Applicable

Site modification will reduce erosion and enhance the health and vigor of desired species.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable