Author
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Allred, Barry |
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Submitted to: Keeping It on the Land
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/2000 Publication Date: 10/20/2000 Citation: ALLRED, B.J. MAUMEE RIVER BASIN PROJECT: WETLAND RESERVOIR SUBIRRIGATION SYSTEMS. KEEPING IT ON THE LAND. 2000. V. 2. NO. 4. P. 1-2. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: An exciting new agricultural water management system that allows for the capture, treatment, storage and reuse of subsurface drainage and surface runoff waters is now being tested in the Maumee River Basin. The integrated components of a Wetland Reservoir Subirrigation System (WRSIS) include an underground drainage pipe network, a constructed wetland and a water storage reservoir. Three WRSIS demonstration sites are located within the Ohio portion of the Maumee River Basin; one each in Defiance, Fulton and Van Wert Counties. All three have been in use through four to five complete growing seasons. The WRSIS buried pipe network is used at different times either to remove water (drainage mode) or to add water (subirrigation mode) to the root zone. This maintains optimal soil moisture and promotes improved crop growth. Surface runoff and subsurface drainage are collected in a constructed wetland where natural processes reduce the amount of the sediment, nutrients and pesticides present in these waters. The partially treated water is then routed to a storage reservoir, where sediments settle further and water is held until needed to subirrigate crops during dry periods. |
