Rainfall from tropical storm systems frequently exceed the water holding capacity of soil.  Thus, the water saturated soil is depleted of oxygen resulting in poor plant growth and nitrogen loss due to denitrification.  This can occur within just a few hours of soil saturation.  Too, once the soil becomes saturated with water, additional rainfall results in tremendous surface water runoff.   The runoff carries debris and sediments from the field to ditches, streams and rivers.  Collectively, this adversely impacts farmers and communities, not only due to economic loss and soil erosion but also because additional flooding will occur from debris accumulation in poorly managed drainage ways.

Dr. Chad Poole and Mike Burchell from NC State University’s Biological and Agricultural  Engineering have provided some management techniques for water control structures for farmers and landowners to minimize these negative impacts.  Please read their comments by downloading the article,. Ag Water Management PrepTropical Storm Debby