South Dakota NRCS Rainfall Simulator

The rainfall simulator demonstration shows how different management approaches on agricultural land can affect soil health and specifically infiltration. Infiltration is a very sensitive indicator of overall soil health. This demonstration brings five different management scenarios together in one place and shows the effects of management on the same or similar soil. Both the runoff and the infiltration from each kind of management is captured in jars. The differences in the amount of runoff and infiltration between management approaches such as long-term no-till on cropland versus conventional tillage are striking, both in the jars and on the soils as well. Samples are typically taken from well-managed rotationally grazed grassland and compared to continuous season-long grazing, and the differences between these is often striking, too. The take home message is you can manage your rainfall by applying the kind of management that will capture the most rainfall on your land and reduce runoff and sedimentation.


200 Fourth Street SW, Room 203
Huron, South Dakota 57350 USA
Phone: 605-352-1236