ABSTRACT
The first broad-based terraces were developed in the humid eastern part of the US Their purpose is to shorten the length of the slopes for reduction of soil erosion, and to lead off surplus storm water at a safe velocity to a protected outlet, usually a grassed waterway. In fields where the slope is larger, and the required width of a grassed waterway would occupy an excessive area, the modern trend is to discharge the outflow from a terrace system into an underground tile outlet. Benching is one of the oldest soil conservation systems in history. If the benches are to be used for tree crops, with one row of trees to a bench, the minimum width may also be quite small. The effect of bench terracing on the rate of soil loss is very great. If the intervening wall is made of sloped earth, the amount of soil loss will depend upon the degree of stabilization of this slope.
