Improving Soil Retention in Turfgrass Production You are here: KB Home Importance of Soil's Improving Soil Retention in Turfgrass Production < Back How Soil Losses Occur  The two agents of soil movement are wind and water. In coastal areas, soil most commonly moves off-site in runoff water, following rainfall or irrigation. Risk factors for soil and nutrient loss in runoff are: saturated soils, large amounts of rain occurring in a short period of time, soil type (clays are more mobile than heavier sands), exposed earth, steep slopes and long slopes.