Soil Erosion and Conservation

Iowa’s widespread row-crop agriculture, rolling landscapes, and loess-derived soils make many areas particularly vulnerable to erosion. Soil loss also affects water quality, as sediment and nutrients washed from fields contribute to flooding, habitat degradation, and problems such as algal blooms in downstream waters. Conservation practices help protect soil productivity, maintain farm profitability, and reduce environmental impacts, ensuring Iowa’s soil resources remain sustainable for future generations.

The Daily Erosion Project models and visualizes soil erosion and runoff across the U.S. Midwest in near real-time. Using rainfall, soil, and land use data, it provides daily updates that help farmers, researchers, and conservationists track erosion trends and make informed land management decisions.