Duck Creek Soil Erosion Project
Lindale, Smith County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In 1929, one of ten erosion control research stations in the United States was set up southeast of this site for the purpose of studying erosion problems and the effectiveness of erosion control methods. This was one of the first organized efforts to solve the nation's soil erosion problems in a planned, scientific manner. Five years later, in 1934, the Duck Creek watershed near this site was approved as a demonstrational project for working with all known methods of erosion control. In cooperation with the landowners in the 25,000-acre area, a plan of conservation treatment was devised for each farm. Much of the labor used in carrying out these plans, such as building dams and fences and planting trees and pasture grass, was provided by a nearby Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp. The success of the Duck Creek project attracted much attention and many visitors to the area. Duck Creek was used by the Soil Conservation Service as a training ground for agronomists, soil surveyors, engineers, biologists, foresters, economists, and others who carried knowledge learned here to many other states across the country.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In the depths of the Dust Bowl era, the United States awoke to soil erosion as a national emergency, and in 1929 one of the country's first ten erosion-control research stations was established near here. By 1934 the surrounding Duck Creek watershed became a working demonstration where landowners across 25,000 acres adopted planned conservation—terraces, dams, tree and grass plantings—much of it built by a nearby Civilian Conservation Corps camp. The project drew visitors from across the nation and trained a generation of agronomists, foresters, and engineers who carried its methods to other states.
Why it matters
Duck Creek helped turn soil conservation from an afterthought into an organized federal science, shaping how America has cared for its farmland ever since.
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Related events
- · Dust Bowl
- · Civilian Conservation Corps
Themes & tags
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