Virginia DEQ Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Inspector 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Soil is classified as having high erodibility when the K factor value is 0.37 or higher. The K factor is a component of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) that estimates soil loss due to water erosion. This value represents the susceptibility of soil particles to detachment and transport by rainfall and runoff. Soils with a higher K factor indicate a greater potential for erosion because they may have less cohesive strength or a finer particle size, both of which contribute to higher susceptibility to erosive forces. In contrast, lower K factor values indicate more resistant soils that are less likely to suffer from significant erosion, making the classification based on the K factor critical for effective erosion control and management practices.