Good soil conservation not only keeps topsoil on agricultural fields where it belongs, but it also keeps it from being washed into streams and adding to the sand and gravel already there. Sound conservation plans should be developed and implemented for all your agricultural lands. Areas not used for agriculture should also demonstrate good soil conservation management. Consult your local Soil and Water Conservation District or the Soil Conservation Service for information and assistance in soil conservation planning. Use stream bank stabilization structures.
Excess gravel can cause stream bank erosion problems.
Eroding stream banks should be fixed using approved stabilization structures. Dozing and packing sand and gravel on stream banks is not a good solution to stream bank erosion and can cause problems for downstream neighbors. Pushing loose sand and gravel against a stream bank makes these materials susceptible to being carried by flood waters and dropped where they are not wanted. While not all stream bank erosion problems are easily solved, Missouri Department of Conservation Fisheries personnel can assist you with many common stream bank erosion problems. Maintain timbered buffer strips along streams.