Water and Sediment Control Basins: Slowing Water, Protecting Soil
Water and Sediment Control Basins (WASCOBs) are designed to reduce erosion and manage runoff on sloping agricultural fields. From a distance, a WASCOB may simply look like a broad, grassed embankment stretching across a field, but it serves an important purpose. These basins temporarily collect water during rainfall events, slowing its movement across the landscape and allowing sediment to settle out before the water is safely released through an underground outlet. By controlling concentrated flow, WASCOBs help prevent gullies from forming, protect valuable topsoil, and keep sediment from reaching nearby waterways.
At Pay Dirt IN-field on August 27, 2026, attendees will have the opportunity to see a WASCOB firsthand and learn how it functions as part of a broader conservation system. We’ll discuss how the basin works, the role of the underground outlet, site considerations, maintenance needs, and the benefits to both the landowner and water quality. You’ll also learn how practices like WASCOBs can be paired with other conservation measures to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and build resilience across the landscape.
Read more about WASCOBs on pages 31-33 in our Water Quality of Life Manual.