Agricultural runoff

Agricultural runoff is when water that comes from farming fields and crops goes into nearby streams, rivers or oceans.

Just like how plants need water to grow, farmers also need to water their crops to help them grow. The water that is used to water the crops then goes into the ground and mixes with different things like fertilizer (a food for plants), pesticides (a spray to keep away bugs and insects), and dirt (soil).

When it rains or snows, this mixture of water and things runs off into nearby streams, rivers, and oceans. This runoff can sometimes be good because it helps give plants and animals in the water food and nutrients to survive. However, too much runoff can be bad because it can cause pollution in the water, making it hard for fish and other creatures to live.

That is why farmers have to be careful with how much fertilizer and pesticides they use, and when they use them. They also need to make sure the land is well-managed so that the soil does not erode away, which can cause more runoff. In addition to that, efforts like building buffer zones around fields, planting cover crops, and using conservation tillage can help to reduce agricultural runoff and protect the environment.