Erosion Control on Terrace Systems in Northeast Iowa

Terraces Are Only as Good as Their Vegetation

Contour terraces are a fundamental erosion control practice on Northeast Iowa's sloping crop ground. They intercept surface runoff, slow its velocity, and reduce the erosion potential of sloping fields. But a terrace system with bare or poorly vegetated channels and embankments erodes along its own structure — the practice that is supposed to prevent erosion becomes a source of it.

Terrace Component Revegetation

A contour terrace system has two vegetated components: the channel, where water flows along the contour toward an outlet, and the embankment, which forms the ridge that holds water in the channel. Both require dense vegetative cover. Channel vegetation must tolerate periodic inundation and high water velocity during major rain events. Embankment vegetation must stabilize the fill material against surface erosion.

Hydroseeding Terrace Channels

Terrace channels are ideal hydroseeding applications — the curved, irregular channel surface cannot be covered uniformly by broadcast seeding or sod, but hydroseeding conforms to any geometry. Applied with high-rate mulch, the seed-mulch mat adheres to the channel slope and provides immediate protection while vegetation establishes. For channels with high-velocity flow potential, erosion blankets installed over the hydroseeding provide additional protection.

New Terrace Construction Sequence

For new terrace construction in Northeast Iowa, the sequence is: terrace construction and shaping, followed immediately by hydroseeding of the channel and embankment before the first rain event after construction. Waiting creates erosion that must be repaired before seeding — adding cost and delay. Immediate hydroseeding after construction is the most cost-effective approach.

Contact Eastern Iowa Hydroseeding

Eastern Iowa Hydroseeding serves agricultural operators throughout Northeast Iowa on terrace system revegetation. Contact us today for your terrace seeding estimate.