For more: http://www.extension.org/67719 Drainage water management is a practice that has been around for years. When a farmer sees a drain tile running, even though it hasn’t rained for a month, he must ask himself, “Why?”. In the past, plugging the tile was an option. This was effective but problems could occur if the plug was not removed after a heavy rainfall. For over 35 years, Agri Drain Corporation has manufactured and supplied products for water management. These products have evolved, and today, are used for the implementation of drainage water management and subsurface irrigation. Agri Drain’s Water Level Control Structures are well known as a device used to manage the water table without plugging the tile. Agri Drain recently introduced the “Water Gate”, a float activated head pressure valve. The Water Gate is used in conjunction with a Water Level Control Structure, allowing drainage water management to be utilized on ground that may not have been viable in the past. The benefit of Drainage Water Management is twofold, a potential yield increase and nutrient retention, resulting in improved water quality. We will explain how both these goals can be met, benefiting the farmer and the environment.

1. Is Your Subsurface
Drainage System Working
as Hard as You Are?
Squeeze every drop of profit from your investment by
managing water flow and cost share opportunities.
Phil Algreen
Agri Drain Corporation
www.agridrain.com

2. Past
Present
Future?

3. Photo courtesy NRCS

4. Photo courtesy NRCS

5. Photo courtesy NRCS
Photo courtesy Drainage Contractor magazine

6. Photo courtesy NRCS

7. Photo courtesy NRCS

8. Today’s
Sub-Surface
Drainage Systems
•Faster & Easier to Install
•Cheaper Per Foot
•Longer Useful Life
•More Intensive
But…No Smarter!
Still Flows 24/7 to Depth
of Tile Drain!Photo courtesy NRCS

9. The Dawn Of a
New Era

10. The Golden Rule
Of Drainage….
“Drain only the amount of water needed to ensure
equipment access and healthy crop production, and not a
drop more.”
-Dr. Wayne Skaggs
WAKE UP!!

11. What’s In It
For Me?

12. • Reduce water and nutrient
transport 30-60%
• Reduces pesticide & herbicide
transport
• Store more water and nutrients
for crop use
• System can be used to
sub-irrigate
• Reduces flooding
• Reduce liquid animal waste
transport
• Improve effectiveness of
companion practices
• Improve wildlife habitats
Courtesy of ADMS
Public & Private Benefits Of Drainage Water
Management

13. Environmental Quality Incentive Program
Practice Code # 554, Drainage Water Management
EQIP is a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes
agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers
financial and technical help to assist eligible participants to install or implement structural and
management practices on eligible agricultural land.
Cost share rates and incentives for conservation practices are developed to promote positive
conservation outcomes tailored to the environmental needs.
Check with local NRCS office for current rates.
www.in.nrcs.usda.gov

15. Water Table Profile
Considerations
• Location
• Soil type
• Drainage intensity
• Crop
• Planting date

33. Watergate Valve