https://sciencing.com/effects-soil-erosion-8483288.

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Pollution and Poor Water Quality

The gradual erosion of soil creates sedimentation, a mechanism by which rocks and
minerals in the soil are removed from the soil and deposited elsewhere, often in streams
and rivers. Pollutants in the soil, such as fertilizers and pest control agents, often settle
in the streams and rivers. Water contaminants result in low quality of water—including
drinking water quality if pollutants are not removed prior to use.

Deforestation and Flooding

Deforestation is a major cause of soil erosion, perhaps the main cause. Trees and
their roots provide the soil with an anchor, as well as shelter from the wind and rain.
Without trees, winds and rains drive the loose soil and rocks to streams and rivers when
they are uprooted, again resulting in unwanted sedimentation. The thick sediment layers
prevent streams and rivers from flowing smoothly, contributing inevitably to flooding.
Excess water gets trapped by the sediment and has nowhere to go but back on land.

Structural concerns and mudslides

Soil erosion contributes to mudslides, impacting the stability of buildings and roadways
and their structural integrity. Mudslides impact not only soil-supported structures, but
also buildings and roads that are in the path of slides. Mudslides occur because of the
intensity and energy of heavy rainfall, fine sand, clay, silt, organic matter, and soil spill
off the sides of hills and slopes.
This runoff occurs quickly, so there's not enough time for the surface to reabsorb or trap
the eroding soil, according to Envirothon, a program of the National Conservation
Foundation and North America's largest high school environmental education
competition.

Sedimentation also leads to the excessive growth of algae, as sunlight can get through
the sediment. High levels of algae remove too much oxygen from the water, resulting in
the death of aquatic animals and reduced fish populations, according to the World
Wildlife Fund.

Soil erosion reduces cropland productivity and contributes to the pollution of adjacent watercourses,
wetlands and lakes.

CLOGGED AND POLLUTED WATERWAYS

Soil eroded from the land, along with pesticides and fertilizers applied to fields, washes into streams
and waterways. This sedimentation and pollution can damage freshwater and marine habitats and the
local communities that depend on them.

The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. It has led to increased pollution
and sedimentation in streams and rivers, clogging these waterways and causing declines in
fish and other species. And degraded lands are also often less able to hold onto water,
which can worsen flooding. Sustainable land use can help to reduce the impacts of
agriculture and livestock, preventing soil degradation and erosion and the loss of valuable
land to desertification.

Topsoil, which lies closest to the surface of the land, contains essential
nutrients for crops. It is this layer of soil that is endangered by wind and water
erosion. Soil erosion decreases soil fertility, which can negatively affect crop
yields. It also sends soil-laden water downstream, which can create heavy
layers of sediment that prevent streams and rivers from flowing smoothly and
can eventually lead to flooding. Once soil erosion occurs, it is more likely to
happen again.

reduced soil fertility

decreased crop yields and
increased water usage.
Mudslides
Floods