This soil splashing may seal off the soil's surface, reducing infiltration and allowing rainwater to collect and move down slopes, carrying dislodged soil particles with it. The energy and downhill movement of large amounts of water can create gullies and rill erosion. This process is also known as detachment and movement. There are a number of things that you can do to limit soil erosion in your operation. The amount of soil lost through detachment depends on length and steepness of slope, crop rotation, and other conservation factors such as contouring and residue cover.
Terraces break up longer slope lengths and reduce slope steepness.
Preventing erosion is to a great extent a function of management. Crop residue cushions the impact of falling raindrops, which reduces soil detachment. Consider contour farming Wrapping row crops around a slope instead of running them up and down the slope can prevent erosion by limiting easy pathways for runoff. Runoff often flows down wheel tracks from planting or ridges from row-crop cultivation. Contouring channels water in much flatter valleys to slow runoff.