This is the easiest and lowest cost management practice to reduce runoff. On extremely loose soil or steep slopes, it is advisable to farm on the contour or plant contoured strips of permanent vegetation to help control runoff and erosion. Rolling or sloping lands may need waterways to handle runoff that cannot be prevented. Such waterways should have a cover crop such as grass to hold soil in place as water drains away. Conservation tillage Conservation tillage is any soil management practice that leaves the soil surface resistant to erosion and capable of holding moisture where it hits the soil.
Conservation tillage strives to maintain crop residues on the soil surface at all times.
This residue reduces soil compaction from water impact, holds moisture, keeps the infiltration rate high, and reduces soil erosion and water runoff. Reservoirs or basins should be in place throughout the entire irrigation season. Two basic methods commonly are used to construct reservoirs. The tool trips at preset intervals, creating small dams in the furrows. Soil dams or dikes are prone to washing away, especially on steep slopes.