Hydrologic and water quality impacts of agricultural drainage∗

Skaggs, R. W.; Brevé, M. A.; Gilliam, J. W.

doi:10.1080/10643389409388459

Cited by 381 publications

(285 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…During the 20 years that followed, a number of reports were published that document the quality of the water discharged through subsurface drains, but there is scant information about the impact of drainage, i,e" compared to no drainage or a presumed natural condition. Skaggs et al (1994) also recently completed a comprehensive review of research on the hydrologic and water-quality effects of agricultural drainage, Based on their survey of studies in the U.S., Canada, Europe and elsewhere, when compared to uncleared land under natural conditions, improved drainage and agricultural production usually increases peak runoff rates, sediment losses, and pollutant loads on surfacewater resources. However, for conditions where land has been converted to agricultural production, and where drainage outlets are in place, improved subsurface drainage has been found to reduce runoff, peak outflow rates, and sediment losses.…”

Section: Research Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drainage and Water Quality in Great Lakes and Cornbelt States

Fausey¹,

Brown

Belcher

et al. 1995

J. Irrig. Drain Eng.

124

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The soils and the climate of the Great Lakes and Cornbelt states dictate that drainage is required to carry out economically viable farming activities. When drained, the soils are very productive and this eight-state region accounts for nearly 80% of the agricultural production of the United States. Drainage played an important role in the development of the region and a historical perspective is included to indicate the impetus for drainage and the amount of drainage application. Research results of agricultural drainage effects on water quality indicate that agricultural subsurface drainage has both positive and negative impacts; i.e., reduction in sediment and phosphorous, and increase in nitrate-nitrogen delivery to receiving waters. Research is needed to evaluate the full potential of controlled drainage and water-table management systems for managing agricultural effects on water quality. This information is needed by state and federal agencies to help landowners meet existing and impending water-quality requirements. Drainage is an important management practice for improving water quality while sustaining agricultural viability. RightsWorks produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted. ABSTRACT: The soils and the climate of the Great Lakes and Combelt states dictate that drainage is required to carry out economically viable farming activities. When drained, the soils are very productive and this eightstate region accounts for nearly 80% of the agricultural production of the United States. Drainage played an important role in the development of the region and a historical perspective is included to indicate the impetus for drainage and the amount of drainage application. Research results of agricultural drainage effects on water quality indicate that agricultural subsurface drainage has both positive and negative impacts; i.e., reduction in sediment and phosphorous, and increase in nitrate-nitrogen delivery to receiving waters. Research is needed to evaluate the full potential of controlled drainage and water-table management systems for managing agricultural effects on water quality. This information is needed by state and federal agencies to help landowners meet existing and impending water-quality requirements. Drainage is an important management practice for improving water quality while sustaining agricultural viability. HISTORY AND NEED

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Section: Research Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drainage and Water Quality in Great Lakes and Cornbelt States

Fausey¹,

Brown

Belcher

et al. 1995

J. Irrig. Drain Eng.

124

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“…Ponding was observed in small depressions in the lower part of the fields. An enhancement of preferential flow (Skaggs et al 1994) and/or possible overflowing of ponds directly to the stream could occur. Even these features are, however, indirectly included to the results of LS calculations, as flow accumulation is an important part of the applied equation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Screening risk areas for sediment and phosphorus losses to improve placement of mitigation measures

Villa

Djodjic

Bergström

et al. 2015

Ambio

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Identification of vulnerable arable areas to phosphorus (P) losses is needed to effectively implement mitigation measures. Indicators for source (soil test P, STP), potential mobilization by erosion (soil dispersion), and transport (unit-stream power length-slope, LS) risks were used to screen the vulnerability to suspended solids (SS) and P losses in two contrasting catchments regarding topography, soil textural distribution, and STP. Soils in the first catchment ranged from loamy sand to clay loam, while clay soils were dominant in the second catchment. Longterm SS and total P losses were higher in the second catchment in spite of significantly lower topsoil STP. A higher proportion of areas in the second catchment were identified with higher risk due to the significantly higher risk of overland flow generation (LS) and a significantly higher mobilization risk in the soil dispersion laboratory tests. A simple screening method was presented to improve the placement of mitigation measures.

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“…Ball Coelho et al (2012a) indicated that tile drainage is an appropriate mitigation target (BMP) where reduction of NO 3 -N movement to surface waters is an objective, and experimental findings found movement was 2.5-fold less without artificial drainage than with artificial drainage. Hill (1976), Skaggs et al (1994), and Thomas et al (1995) documented that tile drainage can decrease the amount of sediment yields in agricultural drainage (presumably due to reductions in mass losses from surficial or near surface pools). Tan and Zhang (2011) found that CTD increased surface runoff contributions of total soil P relative to free drainage conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using AnnAGNPS to Predict the Effects of Tile Drainage Control on Nutrient and Sediment Loads for a River Basin

et al. 2015

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Controlled tile drainage (CTD) can reduce pollutant loading. The Annualized Agricultural Nonpoint Source model (AnnAGNPS version 5.2) was used to examine changes in growing season discharge, sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus loads due to CTD for a ~3900-km 2 agriculturally dominated river basin in Ontario, Canada. Two tile drain depth scenarios were examined in detail to mimic tile drainage control for flat cropland: 600 mm depth (CTD 600 ) and 200 mm (CTD 200 ) depth below surface. Summed for five growing seasons (CTD 600 ), direct runoff, total N, and dissolved N were reduced by 6.6, 3.5, and 13.7%, respectively. However, five seasons of summed total P, dissolved P, and total suspended solid loads increased as a result of CTD 600 by 0.96, 1.6, and 0.23%. The AnnAGNPS results were compared with mass fluxes observed from paired experimental watersheds (250, 470 ha) in the river basin. The "test" experimental watershed was dominated by CTD and the "reference" watershed by free drainage. Notwithstanding environmental/land use differences between the watersheds and basin, comparisons of seasonal observed and predicted discharge reductions were comparable in 100% of respective cases. Nutrient load comparisons were more consistent for dissolved, relative to particulate water quality endpoints. For one season under corn crop production, AnnAGNPS predicted a 55% decrease (CTD 600 ) in dissolved N from the basin. AnnAGNPS v. 5.2 treats P transport from a surface pool perspective, which is appropriate for many systems. However, for assessment of tile drainage management practices for relatively flat tile-dominated systems, AnnAGNPS may benefit from consideration of P and particulate transport in the subsurface.

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Hydrologic and water quality impacts of agricultural drainage∗

Cited by 381 publications

References 67 publications

Drainage and Water Quality in Great Lakes and Cornbelt States

Drainage and Water Quality in Great Lakes and Cornbelt States

Screening risk areas for sediment and phosphorus losses to improve placement of mitigation measures

Using AnnAGNPS to Predict the Effects of Tile Drainage Control on Nutrient and Sediment Loads for a River Basin

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