The Dust Bowl – Man’s Collision with the Environment_Lower_01

Imagine looking out your window and seeing dark clouds on the horizon. You might expect dark clouds to mean rain is coming. In this case, the clouds you are seeing are not a sign of rain. Instead, they are a sign of a very severe drought. This drought has lasted for almost a decade. This is the American Dust Bowl, or the Dirty Thirties, as some called it. Severe dust storms wreaked havoc across the American plain states. Most of the damage was centered in the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma. It was so severe, dust from these storms was carried as far east as New York City.

The drought came in three waves. The first wave began in 1934. The last wave ended in 1940, but by then the damage had been done. Originally, prairie grasses covered this land. Prairie grass is a type of grass that has a very long root system. The roots of the grasses held moisture in the ground. They also anchored the soil keeping it from being blow away.

As people settled this area, they plowed under the native grasses to plant their crops. The loss of the prairie grasses root system was not the only problem. A drought caused the soil to become even drier. As a result, the wind common on the plains, easily eroded the soil.

At the time, farmers did not understand the area’s ecology. They did not know how important the native grasses were. It was the native grasses that were critical to the prevention of soil loss. Today, farmers use special techniques to protect the soil. For example, they never leave the soil unprotected. They also plant rows of trees around their fields. The trees help to slow down the wind.

Imagine moving to Oklahoma in the 1930s in search of a better life for your family. For a few years you are doing okay. The rich soil is producing good crops as long as the rains come. What you do not know is that these wet times are about to come to an end. As the drought begins, you watch as your precious topsoil is blown away. Your crops wither and die. You have no idea how you will make the payment for your farm to the bank. A few more missed payments and the bank will surely take back the farm.

Even if it rains now, it is too late. Like the other tens of thousands of settlers, you have to make a choice. Do you stick it out one more year, or move farther west in search of work? Unfortunately, the Great Depression, a time of great economic hardship, was in full swing. Even California had few opportunities.

Natural disasters come in many forms. Some natural disasters happen quickly. Floodwaters can rise in hours. Tornadoes can pop up in minutes during strong storms. Other natural disasters can come without warning such as tidal waves. The dust storms in the 1930’s were one type of natural disaster that did not have to happen. If not for the aggressive farming, the region would have been fine. It is important to learn to work with nature and not against it.

Today, the Soil Conservation Service and the United States Forestry Service study ways to prevent soil loss. They hope to prevent another natural disaster like the Dust Bowl. The Soil Conservation Service studies soils. They investigate best practices for farming. By using best practices, soil can be protected. The Forestry Service uses trees to help to create shelterbelts. These belts protect soil from the prevailing winds.