One year after drought, heavy rains move Iowa soils

During a five-day period in May, 50 townships in Iowa lost more than five tons of topsoil per acre, according to NPR. The change was in contrast to the same period the previous year, which saw severe drought.

Using analysis done by Iowa State University’s Daily Erosion Project, the Environmental Working Group made the determination, which it published in a report. The report notes that more than 1 million acres of farmland lost more topsoil in the five-day period than is normal for an entire year.

Experts say much of the soil loss could have been prevented from better soil conservation practices, like not tilling to plant crops. Other methods of reducing soil erosion include setting up water terraces and grass waterways, which are installed in the deepest, continuous line along a valley.