After extreme river flood events, the role of agricultural land use and its contribution to flood risks are often the subject of controversial discussion. The possibilities and potential of mitigating flood risks using non‐structural measures within the agricultural sector were investigated for both runoff formation zones and inundation zones. Based on infiltration and erosion models, the development of runoff formation and erosion‐caused matter loads was assessed for schematised surfaces under different rainfall conditions and different farming practices. These schematised model approaches enabled a more distinct understanding of impact reactions and processes than can be achieved by using complex river basin models. The results show the range, potential, and limits of agricultural practices and land use in terms of runoff generation and flood water levels. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.