Date of Award

12-2007

Document Type

Independent Study

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

The use of subsurface (tile) drainage on poorly drained fields is not a new concept. In fact, farmers in the Midwest have been using it for more than 150 years to remove excess water from saturated fields to increase crop productivity in the Midwest (Cooke, Badger, and Garcia, 2000). Unfo1tunately little research has been done regarding tile drainage in North Dakota's Red River Valley (RRV) or how it will affect the su1Tounding water bodies.

Because of snowmelt or increased rainfall in the summer, the RRV regularly floods in the spring. Prolonged water on the surface can hinder germination as well as delay or stunt crop growth. Tile drainage is a beneficial water management technique used to remove standing water from saturated crops to facilitate normal growing activity without limiting growth (Busman and Sands, 2002). However, public concern for water quality has agricultural practices, including tile drainage, under scrutiny as a major contributor to nonpoint source pollution (Skaggs, Breve, and Gilliam, 1994).

To gain a better understanding of subsurface drainage in the RRV region, a 117- acre field was tiled in 2003. The tiles were placed four feet below the surface and spaced 80 feet apart. The research site is located in Walle Township (Section 34, NW 1/.i N Y2), where standing water has been a recmring problem. Water samples were taken and analyzed from several access points. Key nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as total suspended sediments were measured to determine nutrient contributions leaving the field site.

Research has shown that tile drainage does aid in the reduction of topsoil erosion and phosphorus leaching from the field site, reducing off-site contributions. However, nitrate levels in tile samples exceeded those from surface samples, suggesting tile drainage aids in their mobility faster than non-tiled areas reducing water quality. Therefore, if tile drainage is to be used as a viable option in the RRV, additional agricultural practices need to be implemented to reduce negative offsite effects

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