Integrated Crop Management is published by the Department of Entomology , Iowa State University , Ames, Iowa. Last fall, many producers established grassed waterways on their land. However, an early, cold winter and the wet spring have contributed to the failure of seed germination and grass establishment in new waterways. To compound these problems, snow melt and spring rains have lead to severe erosion within some of these waterways. If your new waterway seeding has failed, temporary measures that minimize soil erosion can be used.
Nurse crops can provide temporary protection until grass cover emerges.
Failure of seed germination in new waterways can lead to eroded soils. Another option is to install fabric check strips perpendicular to the waterway. If the waterway is very steep or susceptible to erosion, protect it with biodegradable erosion control mats until grass is established. Establishing sound waterways is important. They are often the best means of carrying surface water runoff out of a field.