Water Erosion

by Susan Reid
(Rockport, IN)

Soil eroded by running water

I took a large, 30" x 18" translucent plastic tub and formed 2 large hills, one on each end of the box. I planted grass seed on one hill.

Over the next 3 weeks I left it in the sun, watered it with a watering can each day, being sure to be equal in the watering process on each hill.

The end results showed erosion was heavier on the hill with no grass.

I didn't show as much erosion differences in the hills as I would have liked. I think, using sod on the one hill and leaving the other bare, would have acheived the results I wanted.

I love science. Growing up on a farm offered first hand experience on a daily basis.

Barry's Response - Susan, any difference at all would have made your point, I believe. Especially if you know you kept everything else equal for the two hills.

Keep in mind that lab results are most meaningful if you have a control group (such as your bare hill) and are able to quantify the difference (perhaps measure the mass of the eroded soil in each case).



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