WATER EROSION

The most influential force in erosion is water. Waters ability to move materials from one location to another, along with the fact that it is found everywhere along the surface of the earth, make it a superb tool for erosion. Water erosion is the wearing away of land by water. Topsoil washes down hill to the gully, to the stream, the river and ocean etc. Land winds up poor for crops because the topsoil is gone. Rivers are damaged by too much soil in the water, decreasing life and food etc for fish. Water erosion happens when there is nothing holding down the topsoil, clearcutting trees, clearing land for farming etc., leaves soil with nothing holding it in place. Another cause of water erosion is large parts of the land being covered with driveways, streets, parking lots etc. This surface does not absorb water, it runs off. Water not absorbed by the earth runs off, carrying topsoil with it. Water erosion can lead to severe and extended soil loss. The impact of heavy rain breaks down soil aggregates and dislodges small particles which are then susceptible to erosion. Run-off occurs when rainfall exceeds the rate at which the water infiltrates into the soil and water begins to run across the soil surface. The faster and more powerful the water flow, the larger the particles moved and the further the distance these particles can be transported. The action of the flowing water dislodges more particles, increasing the rate of soil loss.

TYPES OF WATER EROSION

Splash Erosion: Small soil particles are detached and sent airborne through the impact of raindrops on soil. Sheet Erosion: Raindrops break apart the soil structure and it's moved downslope by water that flows overland as a sheet rather than definitive channels. This occurs frequently during cloud bursts. Rill Erosion: This process develops small, short-lived, concentrated flow paths. These paths creates a sediment source and delivery system for hillslope erosion. Areas where precipitation rates exceed soil infiltration rates are more prone to this type of erosion. Gully Erosion: The gullies can erode to considerable depths. Valley or Stream Erosion: Continual water flow alongside land (along a linear feature) creates this type of erosion. It extends downward, deepening a valley, and headward, extending the valley into the hillside. This occurs most frequently in times of flooding. Bank Erosion: Over time, banks of rivers and streams are naturally worn down.

REMINDER: The greatest way to restore eroded land is very simple: Vegetation. Plants grow and colonize creating deep root systems protecting the soil from water in its various forms.

EVIDENCES OF WATER EROSION

The Formation Of The Grand Canyon Erosion by force of water has also caused these formations. Over thousands of years, rivers cut down through the rock.

Water is eroding away at the sides of this stream bank.

There was a great deal of evidence of water erosion as millions of gallons of water flowed over jagged dry rocks in sufficient quantities to provide water for up to 2 million people, and their flocks. In these pictures, the water erosion at Mount Horeb can be clear.

The Formation Of The Valles Marineris Marss huge canyons also show evidence of water erosion. Although there is clear evidence of water that once flowed in the Valles Marineris, this is not how the canyon complex was formed. The water which left sedimentary rock was only responsible for partial erosion.

The effects of water erosion on a field in Alberta, Canada

Sheet erosion is a type of water erosion caused by the unconfined flow of water running across the surface. The effects of sheet erosion are often hard to distinguish because such thin layers of soil are being removed. It isn't until several years later that significant degradation is perceived.

Rill erosion is a type of water erosion caused by water concentrating into innumerable, closelyspaced small channels. Left unchecked, rills can cut vertically and horizontally and when joined form gullies.

Gullies is a type of water erosion. They are steep-sided trenches formed by the coalescence of many rills. once started they are difficult to stop.

QUESTIONS 1. Type of erosion in which water flows in narrow channels during or directly following heavy rains or melting snow. Answer: Gully erosion 2. This is the most influential force in erosion. Answer: Water 3. It is the wearing away of land by water. Answer: Water Erosion 4. Layer of the soil that washes away during water erosion. Answer: Topsoil 5. It is a type of water erosion caused by water concentrating into innumerable, closely-spaced small channels. Answer: Rill erosion