Page 297 - Nutrient Management Planning Guide

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Chapter 8.3

Grassed waterways reduce erosion and •

nutrient loss by physically holding the soil together and removing suspended sediment through infiltration and filtering from runoff on sites where flow is concentrated in channels. VFBs are edge-of-field plantings of sod- •

forming species that can remove some sediment through infiltration and filtering from runoff on sites where flow is less concentrated and more uniform. Diversion channels or berms may be used •

to divert or control water coming onto cropped land and stop water erosion from causing nutrient loss from the soil. Basins can be used to store water as it runs off or is generated from upstream land or facilities reducing the risk of erosion and the transfer of nutrients from the soil.

Terracing is a coupling of a channel and a •

berm. Terracing breaks up the length of a slope and diverts water to a safer, less erodible outlet reducing the risk of erosion and the transfer of nutrients from the soil. This control structure is not typically used on cropland in Alberta. Maintaining natural wetlands and sloughs •

in an agricultural landscape can reduce the damage of major runoff events by collecting and slowing water runoff. Remember to follow up on any approval or •

licensing requirements for the projects you undertake.

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