Will Lang owns and runs a cash crop operation near Williamstown in South Glengarry. He typically grows corn, soybeans, and wheat. A creek – which also serves as a municipal drain – runs across his fields and those of several of his farming neighbours.

“This creek drains a lot of land, and the water can get high in the spring,” says Lang. “Each year, we’d lose a bit more land to erosion.”

The force of the water would undercut the creek’s banks, especially in the curves. Flooding would turn the edges of the field into a muddy mess, causing the loss of even more topsoil.

Recently, Lang and his neighbours worked with their township’s drainage superintendent and the Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) to re-slope the creek banks in some of the areas hit hardest by erosion. A gentler grade, combined with geotextiles, riprap, and a grassed buffer provide long-term protection. Lang now worries less about constantly losing land, topsoil, and nutrients to erosion. 

The project also has benefits for the broader community and the environment. Preventing erosion upstream helps reduce siltation and flooding downstream. Retaining nutrients on the fields means cleaner water and less undesirable algae growth, which can deplete the oxygen required by fish and other aquatic species.

“It feels great to have a solid solution to this erosion problem,” says Lang. “It’s also good to know our farm is having a positive impact on water quality and habitat downstream.”

Landowners interested in implementing stewardship projects on their own properties are encouraged to contact the RRCA to learn about available funding and technical assistance.

Lang’s erosion control project was undertaken in part with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Water Agency. This project has received funding support from the Government of Ontario. Such support does not indicate endorsement by the Government of Ontario of the contents of this material. Views expressed here are those of the RRCA.