Conservation Drainage: Drainage for the 21st Century

1. Conservation Drainage: Drainage for the 21st Century

2. The Nitrate Saga 1890s Scientists sound alarm about need for new source of nitrates

5. Carl Bosch Fritz Haber

8. Nutrient contributions to the Gulf, by State

9. Distribution of Subsurface Tile Drainage in Illinois 3-4 million ha (6-10 million acres) drained with subsurface tile in Illinois This comprises some of the most productive agricultural land in the US.

10. HYDROLOGIC CYCLE (with tiles)

11. 7.2 km/km2

12. The solutions that you seek will not be found in the streak of a pen, or even one thousand words of mine. Mutabaruka

13. Nitrate Reduction Techniques Altering Nitrogen Application Amounts Altering Nitrogen Application Timing Edge-of-Field Treatment Optimizing Drainage System

14. Conservation Drainage The incorporation of environmentally friendly practices and structures into existing drainage infrastructure Minnesota Department of Agriculture

15. Conservation Drainage The optimization of drainage systems for crop production, water quality and water harvesting benefits

16. Drainage Water Management No Adverse Effects on Neighbors No Decrease in Drainage Efficiency Conservation Drainage Subsurface Bioreactors Depth/Spacing Modifications Convenient and Cost-Effective

17. Golden Rule of Drainage • Only release the amount water necessary to insure trafficable conditions for field operations and to provide an aerated crop root zone • any drainage in excess of this rule likely carries away nitrate and water that is no longer available for crop uptake

18. Drainage Water Management

19. Manual Gate Structure Automated Gate Structure Float Structure

20. Drainage Water Management Guidelines – in an unusually dry season, control can be 3 to 6 inches higher;– in an unusually wet season, control should be 3 to 6 inches lower;– in coarse-textured soils, trafficability can be provided with the water table approximately 6 inches higher.

21. Managed Drainage - WinterConservation Mode for Fallow Season

22. Managed Drainage - SpringFull Drainage Mode for Planting Season

23. Managed Drainage -SummerShallow Drainage Mode for Growing Season

24. Managed Drainage - FallFull Drainage Mode for Harvest Season

25. ~ 1.5 inches Potential Water Available from Drainage Management Source: Based on DRAINMOD Simulations

26. Water Deficit Stress

27. DWM Benefits • Reduces Nitrate Concentrations in Effluent • 30-95% reductions annually • Increased Yield • 76% higher yield in a dry year • Lower Concentrations of Other Pollutants

28. Required Information for Economic Analysis of DWM System • Drainage Costs • Added Revenue • Capital Costs • Timeliness Benefits

29. Drainage Water Management

30. Hume 2004

31. Flow Depths(cm) From a Paired Drainage Site Free Drainage Managed Drainage

32. Hume 2006

33. Long Term Nitrate Trends: 2005

34. Long Term Nitrate Trends: 2008

35. Free Drainage 11.3 acres 50-70 ft Spacing Managed Drainage 13.1 acres 50-70 ft Spacing

36. Kinderhook Site Nitrate-N (mg/L)

37. System Layout for Drainage Water Management

38. Layout Costs Cost Differential: $50/acre