Soil erosion is a major concern of management if the soils are intensively cultivated or range and pasture are overgrazed. On this dissected plain, the divides are undulating to gently rolling and the valley sides are hilly and steep. Flood plains of large streams are wide and level and are less dissected by stream channels than those to the west. Local relief is mainly in meters. Average annual precipitation - 625 to 900 mm.
Maximum precipitation is in spring and the minimum in winter.
Annual snowfall ranges from 30 cm in the north to 10 cm in the south. The moderate and somewhat erratic precipitation is the source of water for crops and pasture. Several large rivers that cross the area from west to east are potential sources of irrigation water but currently are little used for this purpose. Small ponds on individual farms provide flood control, recreation, irrigation water, or water for livestock. A few large ponds and reservoirs are a source of municipal water and are also used for recreation.