Owner`s manual

Tips for Handling Flooded Soils
CLEAN-UP, SOIL TESTING AND COVER CROPS
If sediment came from fertile
fields of your upstream
neighbors, the fertility status of
the field will probably be
unchanged or higher than before
the flood. If heavy sedimentation
occurs, these soils should be
tested to determine nutrient
status. Take soil samples at a 6-
to 8-inch depth in at least 15
locations per field. Each soil
sample should represent 20
acres or less. Areas with
significant differences in
textures should be sampled
separately.
Sand deposits may have to be
removed or spread over other
areas and mixed with the more
productive soil beneath. Sand
deposits on top of silty or
clay-type soils deeper than 4
inches may decrease potential
crop yields. Determine the
location, depth and amount of
coverage of sand. Call your
county Extension agent for
further guidelines.
Additional resources:
Your county agricultural agent, Soil
Conservation Service
Related publications:
UW-Extension Publications–
“Management of Wisconsin Soils,”
(A3588);
“Sampling Soils for Testing,” (A2100).
GENERAL GUIDELINES
♦ Open all drainage ditches.
♦ Remove debris from fields and pastures. Look carefully for partially
hidden objects that could injure livestock or damage machinery.
Check hedge and fence rows carefully.
♦ To prevent severe soil compacting, avoid running trucks and heavy
farm equipment over wet soils. Most soils are not dry enough for
traffic or cultivation until the top 5 or 6 inches crumble, rather than
slick over or pack.
♦ Encourage the growth of cover crops such as rye or wheat. Any type
of plant growth is effective in drying waterlogged soils.
♦ It is usually not necessary to remove silt deposits. After soils are dry
enough to work, level and mix silt deposits into original topsoil, if
practical.
♦ Apply animal manure and incorporate into soil. Check with your
county Extension agent for recommended application rates.
♦ The fertility level of flooded soils will probably change over a period
of time. Do not guess at requirements. Take soil samples to determine
new fertility levels. Follow recommendations. Allow for nutrients
supplied by applied animal manures. When sampling silted fields,
make sure the samples represent the soil mix that will exist after
deposited silt is mixed with the original topsoil.
♦ Avoid deep tillage or subsoiling unless advised by an agronomist.
Deep tillage or subsoiling is rarely beneficial and could be harmful.
Information from: University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, University of Missouri Cooperative Extension Service, Pennsylvania State
University Cooperative Extension Service
University of Wisconsin-Extension • Cooperative Extension FLOOD-FARM RECOVERY