Drainage Water Management

Beth E. Clarizia, P.E.Beth E. Clarizia, P.E.Agricultural EngineerAgricultural Engineer

Drainage Water Drainage Water ManagementManagement

Drainage in the MidwestDrainage in the Midwest

Where the Nitrogen is…Where the Nitrogen is…

Drainage Water Management Drainage Water Management Practice Standard 554 Practice Standard 554

RequirementsRequirements•Existing drainage systemExisting drainage system•Structure can not restrict Structure can not restrict

drainage when opendrainage when open•Must have 10 feet of solid Must have 10 feet of solid

drainage pipe with an anti-seep drainage pipe with an anti-seep collar attached to structurecollar attached to structure

Structure for Water Control Structure for Water Control Practice Standard 587 Practice Standard 587

RequirementsRequirements•Can not affect neighboring Can not affect neighboring

landowner drainagelandowner drainage

Where do they work?Where do they work? Use where grades are < 1%Use where grades are < 1% Where neighboring land users will Where neighboring land users will

not be affectednot be affected Where structures can be planned on Where structures can be planned on

existing systems (locate and existing systems (locate and determine influence)determine influence)

The water level control device placed in a tile line. The area impacted is a function of the slope of the field. The flatter the field the greater the area impacted.

Ditch

Raised Water Table

Riser Boards (Adjustable)

Tile

The Influence of SlopeThe Influence of Slope

Drainage ManagementDrainage Management(Parallel System and Flat Topography)(Parallel System and Flat Topography)

Field Boundary

main main

late

r als

late

r als

Water level control structure

Raising/ Lowering LevelsRaising/ Lowering Levels

• SpringSpring Lower the water table for plantingLower the water table for planting At least 2 weeks prior to entering fieldAt least 2 weeks prior to entering field

• After planting/summerAfter planting/summer Raise water table to approximately 18 inches for the Raise water table to approximately 18 inches for the

crops to use (or higher?)crops to use (or higher?) Stores some water for draught periodsStores some water for draught periods

• FallFall Lower water table for harvestLower water table for harvest

• WinterWinter After harvest, raise water table to the surface After harvest, raise water table to the surface

Drainage water managementDrainage water management

After planting After harvest

• Before field operations

Boards installed to hold water back when drainage not needed

Boards removed for full drainage capacity

AgriDrain control structure Hancor control structure

Landowner:TBM # and description:

TBM Elevation:

Construction Notes: Follow IN-ENG-30 for polyethylene anti-seep collar details.

I certify that I have installed the water control structure and any tile in accordance with this report and the NRCS

plans and specifications.

Contractor: Signature: Date:

Structure NumberDiameter (in.)

(print name)

NOTES:

Flowline Elevation Ground Elev. Dimensions (in.xin.) Height (ft.)

Drainage Tubing Control Structure

Existing Ground

Water Control Structure

Stop Logs

Flow

Anti-seep Collar

Plan View

Solid Tubing