The objective is to promote rapid water infiltration and prevent the forceful flow of water across the ground surface. Once established, plants can provide excellent long-term erosion control. Their roots knit together to hold the soil in place. Their leaves and twigs reduce the impact of rain and wind, and the organic matter they add to the soil improves water infiltration. This is especially important on sloping pastures, where the action of animals hooves tends to disturb the soil.
Mulches are also useful to provide temporary groundcover until vegetation can become established.
Irrigation of newly seeded slopes or pastures causes less runoff when applied in a fine spray with sprinklers rather than by flood irrigation. Use of a drip irrigation system provides slow delivery of water to landscape plants so it will infiltrate with little or no runoff. Walls over three feet in height should be designed by an engineer. See page 50 for more information on riprap. These ditches collect water running down the slope, slow its flow, and discharge it to a safe place such as a lawn, a well vegetated buffer strip, or a pasture.