Rill Erosion
Overland flow concentrates into small channels and has a downcutting action and sediment washes out of the rills and down to the pastures and/or streams. Farm tracks are often damaged and drains become blocked.

Gullyhead Erosion
Overland flow from the surrounding hillsides concentrates in the floors of normally dry gullies during heavy rainstorms. A vertical bank or gullyhead develops in the channel floor and is continuously undercut by high flows causing the gullyhead to migrate up stream. Lateral collapse around gullyheads creates major erosion damage.

Vegetation
- even pasture has the effect of filtering and slowing down overland flow
- the longer the grass/legume the greater the anti-erosion effect
- any disruption of removal of this cover creates the potential for higher runoff rates and more erosion

-Rainfall Intensity
- rainfall intensity refers to the amount of rain falling with a period of time
- most erosion damage is caused by high intensity rainfall where a lot of rain is falling in a short time
- as rainfall intensity increases rain drops strike the ground with more force

Infiltration Rate
- this is the rate at which the soil absorbs water
- it depends on soil type and depth, vegetation cover and land slope
- when rainfall exceeds the infiltration rate overland runoff will occur

Stocking rates
- increased stocking rates increase the number of livestock treading on pastures
- treading on the soil compresses the air spaces which allow air circulation and water drainage
- compressing the air spaces reduces the infiltration rate
- compressing the air spaces limits root transpiration and reduces pasture growth

Grazing Pressure
- high grazing pressure may expose soil between the plants
- reduced plant matter can increase overland flow rates

Stock Tracks
- animals form regularly followed pathways particularly along fences
- paths are usually denude of plant material and recessed creating ideal channels for water to run along
- fences can become buried or undermined as a result of rill or sheet erosion along the tracks

Stocking Camps and Wallows
- stock congregate in areas particularly around trees which are used for shade and scratching posts or water sources
- these areas become denude of plant material and recessed creating ideal channels for water to run along

• Retire and plant trees in problem areas.
• Maintain vigorous plant growth by oversowing with improved high yielding cultivars, applying fertiliser when required and controlling weeds.
• Maintain vegetative cover in rilled areas and stock camps.
• Clump-forming grasses like Phalaris aquatica is useful in these situations.
  • Avoid high stocking rates particularly in wet areas.
  • Provide feed supplements if necessary.
  • Site vehicle tracks carefully and manage the runoff.
• Site trees in paddocks with care and use narrow-crowned deciduous trees for spaced plantings
• Site fences and troughs with care.
• If necessary use deflector rails on problem fence lines.
• Use detention dams and drop structures to control headward erosion in gully floors.