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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbus, Ohio » Soil Drainage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #136748
Title: WETLAND RESERVOIR SUBIRRIGATION SYSTEM: A NOVEL APPROACH TO AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT

Author
item CLEVENGER, BRUCE - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item Allred, Barry

Submitted to: Soil and Water Conservation Society Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/24/2002
Publication Date: 6/20/2002
Citation: Clevenger, B.W., Allred, B.J. 2002. Wetland reservoir subirrigation system: a novel approach to agricultural water management. Soil and Water Conservation Society Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A new type of crop production and water management system called a Wetland Reservoir Subirrigation System (WRSIS) has been constructed at three demonstration farms in northwestern Ohio. These WRSIS sites are being evaluated on their ability to improve water quality, increase wetland acreage, and enhance crop yields. At a WRSIS site, a wetland for water treatment and a reservoir for water storage are linked to a network of subsurface pipes used to both drain and irrigate crops through the root zone. An extensive monitoring study has been implemented to evaluate WRSIS effectiveness. All monitoring equipment, including automatic water samplers, piezometers, flumes, flow sensors, weather station, etc., have been purchased and are now in place. The first objective of the project is to quantitatively assess the environmental impact of a WRSIS on the Maumee River Basin. This project will document the effectiveness of the WRSIS sites as a model for new and innovative practices to reduce non-point source pollution. The second objective of this project will be to provide new information that can be used by the State of Ohio in its non-point source initiative or regulatory programs controlling non-point source pollution. The audience of this presentation will receive a written and oral overview of the WRSIS system and research data collected since 1996. The research data will include environmental assessment of the water management system, yield data that compares subirrigated versus non-irrigated corn and soybean yields, and a vegetative inventory of three constructed wetlands.