Sediment Losses from Cropland Furrows of Different Gradients

ABSTRACT SEDIMENT losses from bedded rows were evaluated for furrow gradients ranging from 0.5 to 6.5% at several row lengths and rain intensities. Part of the soil eroded from the row sideslopes deposited in the furrow at 0.5%, but all was lost at gradients of 2.0% and steeper. Additional sediment was lost due to serious furrow scour at gradients of 5.0% and steeper. For all conditions except the longer rows at 5.0 and 6.5%, more of the lost sediment eroded from the row sideslopes than the furrows. The size distribution of the lost sediment became coarser as the furrow gradient increased.