Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops Code: 331

Units: ac.

C 

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 4

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 0

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 2

 Compaction 0

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 0

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps -2

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 1

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table -1

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 0

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 1

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Moisture Management 2

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 1

 Pesticides in Groundwater -1

 Nutrients in Surface water 2

 Nutrients in Groundwater -1

 Salts in Surface Water 1

 Salts in Groundwater -1

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

Planting orchards, vineyards, or other perennial crops so that all cultural operations are done on or near the contour.

Reduced soil erosion decreases organic matter loss. 

Contouring reduces runoff velocities and changes overland flow direction, thus reducing the detachment and transport capacity of 

over-land flow.

Not Applicable

Contouring reduces runoff velocities and changes overland flow direction, thus reducing the detachment and transport capacity of 

concentrated over-land flow.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:

Increases infiltration which could contribute to excess subsurface water.

Not Applicable

Contouring reduces slope grade, velocities of irrigation applied water and increases infiltration. 

Increases water infiltration resulting in improved water storage in the profile.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Increases water infiltration that may move laterally to a seep area, particularly during fallow periods.

Increases water infiltration which will slightly reduce the potential for flooding or ponding.

The action reduces runoff and erosion.

The action increases infiltration.

The action decreases sheet and rill erosion and may increase water infiltration, thereby reducing the transport of nutrients and 

organics to surface water. 

The action reduces the velocity of runoff, resulting in increased water infiltration which could move nutrients and organics to 

groundwater. 

The action slows runoff, which may increase water infiltration, reducing the potential for transport of salts to surface water. 

The action reduces the velocity of runoff, resulting in increased water infiltration which could move salts to groundwater. 

Not Applicable

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) 1

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 1

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 0

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 4

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 0

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 4

 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 1

 Farming/Ranching Practices and Field Operations 1

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

Contouring reduces sheet and rill erosion and slows the velocity of runoff, thereby reducing the transport of sediment to surface 

water 

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Vegetation removes CO2 from the air and stores it in the form of carbon in the plants and soil.

Not Applicable

Increased infiltration increases the amount of available water for crop growth.

Not Applicable

Vegetation is installed and managed to control undesired species. 

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Equipment operated on the contour vs up and down hill

Equipment operated on the contour vs up and down hill

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable