**Collaborative post**
According to the US Department of Agriculture, soil erosion is the leading disaster in agricultural development. Soil erosion occurs when snowmelt, after a heavy downpour, after a burst pipe, or when surface or underground water lifts soil and takes it to a different location. The process can be gradual or sudden, depending on the strength of the waters.
Erosion and runoff of the topsoil, pollute waterways and increase flood risks. It also starves plants by removing soil nutrients, hence the need for mitigation. Here are signs that you need erosion and runoff mitigation services.
Your Land’s Natural Features
Before you seek an NPDES Service last minute for soil erosion in your parcel of land, you should check for natural features, including the rainfall versus the slope of the land. If you live in an area with hard rainfall, its impact on the ground will loosen the soil, making it difficult to transport through the runoff. This erosion will even be worse if your land is steep or sloppy.
You should also check for landscape features such as swales and creeks for channelling waters, as erosion is most likely to occur around them. Also, if your land is bare soil, there is a likelihood of erosion compared to that covered with vegetation, hence the need for mitigation services.
Check for Existing Erosion
At times, you may not keep up with mitigation measures, and erosion might occur to different degrees in your land. You can check this by inspecting your land for puddles where water settles after erosion. Also, check for cracks and gullies, which look like small river valleys channelling water and soil.
Moving water is strong and, over time, can damage plants and buildings. Hence, you should also check for bare spots in your land due to uprooting by the raging waters. Exposed plant roots also signify erosion.
Some areas may also appear unstable in your piece of land. If you detect sunken and unstable grounds, you should consider mitigation. Lastly, if you notice cracks on a building standing for decades, you may want to schedule an inspection, as underground erosion could be the culprit.
Consider NPDES Service
If you suspect erosion to be the threat after inspecting your land and the structures around, you can practice mulching, plant cover crops, or build retaining walls. However, where these efforts are futile, you should contact an erosion and runoff mitigation Services Company for professional assistance.
