But water erosion can occur wherever vegetation, structures or ground covers do not reduce water's energy. The more energy in the water, the more soil will detach and be carried. Dr. David Nagel, MSU extension horticulturist, said erosion is prevented by not letting raindrops strike bare ground. Structure, vegetation and ground covers break rain's energy. Common areas where erosion is a problem are construction sites, new roadsides and unprotected soil hit by flowing water.
Water pouring off roofs or charging through ditches can cut a large hole in the soil.
Prevent erosion by placing cement, stones or something hard which the water will strike before flowing on. Nagel said new roadsides or bare slopes can lose up to three inches of topsoil in one major rainstorm. To prevent the soil from washing away, state and federal laws mandate the use of silt fences along the vulnerable areas. Any soil that washes away is caught by these fences and can be replaced. Afterwards, grass is established by seeding the area and covering it with straw or cloth, or using hydromulch, which is seed mixed with wood pulp and water and sprayed over the area.