What fields are most suitable for drainage water management?
The practice is only suitable on fields that need drainage, and is most appropriate where a pattern drainage system (as opposed to a random system) is installed or is feasible. The field should be flat (generally less than 0.5 percent slope) so that one control structure can manage the water table within 1 to 2 feet for as many acres as possible. If drainage laterals are installed on the contour, the practice could be used with greater slopes. The producer must be able to manage the drainage system without affecting adjacent landowners. The practice can be used with any drain spacing; however, narrower drain spacing reduces the risk of yield loss due to excess wetness during the growing season. If a new drainage installation is being planned for a field, drains should be designed for minimum grade (along the contours), so each control structure can control the maximum possible area of the field.
