One of the principal causes of water quality impairment is deposition of eroded soil sediment in rivers and lakes, changing the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the aquatic habitat. Sedimentation covers important feeding and breeding habitat, alters the temperature, depth and flow of streams, and contributes to seasonal flooding incidents. Nutrients and pesticides adsorbed to the soil particles may also contribute pollutants long after they were deposited in the water body.
Erosion also reduces cropland productivity.
Agriculture historically has been a principal cause of water and wind erosion. Concerted efforts by federal and state agricultural programs has significantly reduced the amount of soil erosion and sedimentation in recent years. Today, farmers utilize a number of soil conservation practices to reduce erosion and limit sedimentation. Principal practices include conservation tillage methods on highly erodible cropland, installation of conservation buffers and raparian habitat near waterways, and establishment of conservation easements and set asides. National Farm Bill conservation programs include the Conservation Reserve Program, Conservation Compliance Program, Sodbuster, and Environmental Quality Incentives Program.