Surficial failures are shallow slope failures with an average depth of failure ranging from 0.30 m to 1.20 m and frequently occur on several earthfill dams. One of the principal causes of such shallow failures is attributed to desiccation cracking in soils. Infiltration of rain water causes saturation and loss of strength of surficial soil. Hence, shrinkage crack control will be a key factor in controlling the surficial slope failures. Field test sections were constructed at Joe Pool Dam site with various combinations of admixtures including lime, polypropylene fibers and compost. The dam site was heavily instrumented. The test sections were monitored for more than one year and the results indicated that the treatment of top soil with admixtures was effective in preventing desiccation cracking.