Urban Development Greatly Increases Soil Compaction

Activity or Land Use

Mass Grading

Urban Lawns

Athletic Fields

Proctored Soils*

Increase in Soil Bulk Density

0.25 - 0.40

0.30 - 0.40

0.40 - 0.50

0.40 - 0.60

*95% engineering compaction for building pads road right of way

Source: Watershed Protection Techniques technical note 107

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Notes:

One impact of land development is soil compaction, which decreases infiltration and groundwater recharge and contributes to increased stormwater runoff. Few practices can reverse this trend. Compost amendments and reforestation are two of the more effective practices at reversing soil compaction impacts.