Soil Conservation Preserves Reservoir Benefits Nationwide

Abstract

Over 75,000 reservoirs in the 48 contiguous States provide a recreation, flood control, fish and other benefits. A recent analysis by ERS estimates that the value of a 1-ton reduction in agricultural soil erosion and the subsequent reduction in reservoir sedimentation is as high as $1.38 per ton. The ERS estimates of the benefits of soil conservation, in terms of their impact on reservoirs, are derived from two models.

Keywords: reservoirs, soil conservation, erosion, water quality

JEL Classification: Q25, Q28