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| Click on the thumbnail views above to see a full page
image. Pages 856 and 857 of the Hugh Bennett book describing the erosion problems near Arroyo Grande. |
Drainage ditch built in 1935 is still functioning, although hampered by considerable tree growth. Floyd Moffat, present owner of the property marvels how the land has been protected by the terraces and structures built by the CCC. |
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| In the winter of 1934-1935, over 22 inches of rain fell which was about 8 inches over normal. Almost six inches of rain fell on January 4th and 5th. From the steeply sloping clean cultivated fields light textured, shallow soils were washed down the hillsides and tons of detritus buried crops, roads, fences and even equipment left out during the night, on the fertile valley lowlands adjacent. | The history books teach about the Dust Bowl in the
Midwest, but few people today realize the extent of erosion damage to
the hillside farmland on the central coast of California.
Dorthea Lang, 1936 - USDA Collection |
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| 1935 Erosion pictures Carpenter Canyon and Poorman
Canyon Heavy deposition of recent Laguna soil material from the severely gullied Las Flores series above. |
1935 Erosion pictures Carpenter Canyon and Poorman
Canyon A gully through elder Loamy sand which is being stabilized by small concrete dam. NOTE: The banding or layering that is characteristic of this soil. Elder sandy loam has a high fertility and should be protected from erosion. SCS 1935 photo |
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| Pea field planted on hilly terrain in Arroyo Grande, California | Mature pea field being harvested |
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| The CCC worked to stabilize the hills by building terraces, structures and planting trees near Arroyo Grande, California. | Oak Park area soils judged most erosive in the world |
