Second, soil erosion by water causes sedimentation in waterways which threatens aquatic life and hinders the water flow. Soil erosion by water also carries polluting agricultural chemicals into rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs. The United States Department of Agriculture, however, has expressed doubts about the reliability of these estimates. Of the 32 million acres of cropland in Texas, more than 12.8 million acres or 40 percent are classified as highly erodible. With an average loss of 14 tons of soil per acre annually, Texas is one of the eight worst states for soil erosion rates.
Water erosion is the primary concern for the central and eastern parts of Texas.
Wind erosion is the primary concern in far west Texas and the High Plains region. Both wind and water are concerns in the Rolling Plains and southern parts of the state. This is the USDA's state-level administrative arm. Since the 1930s, Texas and other states have received federal monies under the Agricultural Conservation Program for direct assistance to producers. These practices include terracing, ponds, wells, irrigation and agriculture waste facilities.