Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbus, Ohio » Soil Drainage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330640
Title: Projected climate change effects on subsurface drainage and the performance of controlled drainage in the Western Lake Erie Basin

Author
item PEASE, LINDSAY - The Ohio State University
item Fausey, Norman
item MARTIN, JAY - The Ohio State University
item BROWN, LARRY - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/2016
Publication Date: 5/1/2017
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5801854
Citation: Pease, L.A., Fausey, N.R., Martin, J., Brown, L.C. 2017. Projected climate change effects on subsurface drainage and the performance of controlled drainage in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 72(3):240-250.

Interpretive Summary: Concerns about climate change, food security, and sustainable agricultural production have caused scientists to examine and quantify environmental impacts of agricultural production practices. This report reveals that the environmental benefits of controlled drainage systems will still be evident under the projected climate change over the next century. The role of controlled drainage as a means to potentially retain more crop available water in the soil profile could become critically important to producers, policy makers, technical assistance professionals and non-government organizations.

Technical Abstract: The US Midwest is expected to experience higher intensity rainfall events along with an increased chance of drought during the mid- and late-21st century under climate change. Development of strategies to mitigate the impact of these projected changes on agricultural production may be critical for ensuring agricultural resiliency to future climate. This study used the hydrologic DRAINMOD model to simulate subsurface drainage discharge at a field site in the headwaters of the Western Lake Erie Basin using future climate patterns projected by 20 General Circulation Models. Despite projected increases in annual rainfall, by mid-century subsurface drainage discharge was projected to decrease by 6% and 7 % under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5, respectively. By the late-21st century, subsurface discharge was projected to decrease 7% and 11% for RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, respectively. Reductions in subsurface discharge were attributed to increased temperature and evapotranspiration. The environmental benefits of controlled drainage systems were still evident under the projected climate change over the next century. The role of controlled drainage as a means to potentially retain more crop available water in the soil profile could become critically important.