Soil erosion doesn’t just happen on farm fields. It happens in cities wherever soil is uncovered--where there are no plants that hold the soil in place.
Some of the worst erosion happens at construction sites, where bulldozers remove trees, bushes, and grass, uncovering a lot of soil. If the construction site is near a river, creek, or lake, soil can erode into the water.
To stop erosion in cities, workers at construction sites cover bare soil with straw and grass to “stop the drops” and “slow the flow.” Sometimes, they also cover the ground with a special type of blanket to protect the soil.
In addition, workers will create walls out of bales of straw or fabric. These walls slow the flow of runoff water.
Rain erodes (cuts into) this hill where new homes are being built. So erosion isn’t just a farm problem. Soil can be washed away in cities and towns too.
Photo: USDA NRCS