Contour Scarification Fact Sheet

What is Contour Scarification?

The upper part of the soil profile is tilled and mixed across the slope on the contour using small machinery or construction equipment. The purposes of this practice are to break up the hydrophobic characteristics of soil in moderate and severely burned areas, to aid in the establishment of vegetative cover from seed, to reduce runoff velocity, to increase infiltration, and to reduce erosion.

Contour Scarification is used on burned upland areas with hydrophobic soil properties that are accessible by machines and will be stabilized with seeded vegetation. Slopes should be equal or less than 30% to facilitate safe operation of machinery. Slopes with a stable rock face do not require scarification. Contour Scarification is not used in swales, drainage ways, gullies, or other areas of concentrated flow.

Small tractors, bull dozers or all terrain vehicles are fitted with a tool bar containing tines, rippers or other devices capable of loosening and mixing the soil to a depth of 2 to 4 inches. A contour line is marked about 1/3 the way down the slope to establish a key line. The machines are operated parallel to the key line. The entire slope may be scarified to accomplish the maximum effect. To reduce treatment costs Contour Scarification can be accomplished in 8 to 12 foot wide strips spaced uniformly over the slope. The maximum recommended spacing between scarified strips is shown below: