Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbus, Ohio » Soil Drainage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #262591
Title: A study of the effect of controlled drainage on surface runoff

Author
item Fausey, Norman

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2011
Publication Date: 7/8/2011
Citation: Fausey, N.R. 2011. A study of the effect of controlled drainage on surface runoff [abstract]. ASABE Annual International Meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: There is uncertainty about the impact of drainage water management (DWM) on surface runoff, and concern that DWM may increase runoff. To examine this concern, water was applied by sprinkler irrigation to 8 plots which were individually equipped with instrumentation to measure both surface and subsurface drainage. Irrigation was applied once with the subsurface drains not controlled and allowing free drainage. Irrigation was then applied again with the subsurface drainage outlets raised to 30 cm below the soil surface (DWM mode). Time to flow initiation, rate of flow, and flow volume were monitored continuously during the water application periods. Additional data will be collected for flow events resulting from natural precipitation during the next 6 to 9 months. Preliminary analysis of the data from the irrigation induced flow events indicates that surface runoff volume, subsurface drainage volume, and total flow volume (surface + subsurface) are each impacted by drainage water management.