Plant Trees to Control Erosion

This stream bank is eroding badly. You can see where the topsoil broke off from the bank and left bare soil behind it. Every time it rains more dirt will go into the river until new plants have time to establish their roots and cover the soil. This would be a good place to plant trees and shrubs.

Dirt in the water causes many problems. The nutrients in topsoil will cause large amounts of algae to grow, which may deprive the river of oxygen when they decompose. Soil particles fall to the bottom of the stream and cover fish eggs and make it difficult for other creatures to survive, such as mussels and aquatic insects. Topsoil is best left on the land where it can grow crops and trees.

Here is another stream bank that is eroding badly. The stream is not visible in dry weather.

Dirt in the water causes many problems. The nutrients in topsoil will cause large amounts of algae to grow, which may deprive the river of oxygen when they decompose. Soil particles fall to the bottom of the stream and cover fish eggs and make it difficult for other creatures to survive, such as mussels and aquatic insects. Topsoil is best left on the land where it can grow crops and trees.

The well forested streambanks are on the upper side of a bridge. Compare them with the unforested streambanks on the lower side of the same bridge.

The path above is a shallow cutoff today. Think about how much dirt has been lost over time considering that river banks in some places are taller than people.