TERRACE

Prepared By: Junell Jayon E. Quisto VB - BSAE

What is TERACCE?

 Is an earth embankment, or a ridge and channel, constructed

across the slope at a suitable location to intercept surface runoff
water (Beauchamp).

 A system consists of multiple continuous lines of earth

embankments constructed across a field slope (USDA,2011).
Functions of Terraces

 Method of erosion control.

 Reducing rill erosion.
 To prevent formation of gullies.

 To decrease the length of the hillside slope.

 To allow sediment to settle from runoff water, thereby improving

the quality of the surface water leaving the field.
Functions of Terraces

 In drier areas, terraces serves to retain runoff and increase the

amount of water available for crop production or for recharging
of shallow aquifers.

 Such retention of water also reduces the risk of wind erosion.

 Also used as an aid surface irrigation, particularly in rice-growing

areas.
TERRACES CROSS-SECTION NOMENCLATURE
TERRACE CLASSIFICATION

 Alignment
 Cross section
 Grade
 Outlet
TERRACE CLASSIFICATION

 Alignment
 Nonparallel – terraces follow
the contour of the land
regardless of alignment. Some
minor adjustment frequently
made to eliminate sharp turns
and short rows are installation
of additional outlets, use of
variable grade, and installation
of vegetated be installed
turning strips.
 Alignment
 Parallel – terraces aid in
farming operation and should
be installed wherever
possible. It requires more cut
and fill volumes during
construction than nonparallel
systems.
Typical Parallel Layout
TERRACE CLASSIFICATION

 Cross-Section
There are numerous shapes of terrace cross sections.
 Bench
 has improved farmability under very steep (20 to 30 percent)
conditions where labor is cheap or land is in short supply. It
provides for efficient distribution of water under both irrigated
and dryland production.
 Some bench terraces are not suited to mechanized farming
systems.
 Bench-type systems can be constructed on nearly flat lands to
improve irrigation efficiency.
Bench Cross-Section
 Cross-Section
 Three-segment section
 Is more common for mechanical farming systems on moderate
slopes (6 to 8 precent).
 Are sufficiently flat for the operation of farm machinery. Length of
each side are designed to match the width of equipment that
operates on those slopes.
Three-segment section
 Cross-Section
 Conservation bench
 Incorporates a wide, flat channel uphill of the embankment to
provide a maximum area for infiltration of runoff water.
Conservation bench
 When field slopes are uniform, a constant terrace cross section is
recommended.

 With non-uniform slopes, some sections will be predominantly fill

and some predominantly cut.
TERRACE CLASSIFICATION

 Grade (Channel-type)
 Are designed to remove excess water in such a way as to minimize erosion.
 Also, a control erosion by reducing the slope length of overland flow and then
by conducting the intercepted runoff to a safe outlet at a non-erosive velocity.
TERRACE CLASSIFICATION

 Outlet
Terraces may be classified as:
 Blocked outlets (all water infiltrates the terrace channel)
 Permanently vegetated outlets ( grassed waterway or a vegetative area)
 Underground outlets (water is removed through subsurface drains)

Combinations of the outlets may be employed to meet specific problems.

PLANNING THE TERRACE SYSTEM

 Selection of Outlets
 One of the first steps in planning is the selection of outlets or disposal areas.
 Outlet types: natural drainage ways, constructed channels, sod flumes, road
ditches, wasteland, concrete or stabilized channels, and pipe drains.

 Terrace location
 After a suitable outlet is located, the next step is location of terraces.
 Minimum maintenance, ease of farming, and adequate control of erosion are
the criteria for good terrace location.
REFERENCES:

 Schwab, G., et. al. (2009). Soil and Water Conservation Engineering,
Fourth Edition.
 United State Department of Agriculture (USDA). Engineering Handbook,
Part 650, Chapter 8.
-end– Thank you
Merry Christmas in Advance!