Contouring means farming with row patterns nearly level around a hill – not up and down hill. The rows form hundreds of small dams that slow water flow and increase infiltration to reduce erosion.
How it helps
Contour farming can reduce soil erosion by as much as 50 percent compared to up and down hill farming.
By reducing sediment and runoff and increasing water infiltration, contouring promotes better water quality.
Planning ahead
Will more than one key contour line be needed because of steep or irregular slopes?
Are terraces or stripcropping needed for steeper slopes?
Are field borders needed to replace end rows in the contouring system to control sheet and rill erosion?
Tech Notes
Establish a key line around the hill by using a hand level or contour gauge.
Contour key line grade should not exceed 2 percent, except within 100 feet of an outlet. In that case, the grade can be a 3 percent slope.
Perform planting and other activities parallel to the key contour line.
Replace end rows with field borders to reduce erosion.
Maintenance
Use grassed waterways in areas where runoff is concentrated to prevent gully erosion.
Contoured rows should enter the grassed area of waterways on the level, but should direct water into the grass.
To avoid laying out new key contour lines every year, establish a permanent narrow strip of grass along each key contour line.
What it is