Republic of the Philippines

BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE

Institute of Engineering and Applied Technology
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010
________________________________________________________ Cert. No. 19.67.PH212501.00

Laboratory Exercise
Surface and Subsurface Drainage

Submitted to: Cresan Joy Villaroman

Submitted by: Feliciano P. Mendoza, Jr.
Introduction:

Subsurface drainage is a management tool that reduces erosion and phosphorus

enrichment of surface waters from agricultural activities by reducing total runoff (Management

Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA), 1998).

On flat agricultural lands, with slopes often below 0.5 percent, ponds form where the

infiltration into the soil is less than the amount of water accumulated after rainfall, snowmelt,

irrigation or runoff from higher adjacent places. In cold climates, a combination of snowmelt and

frozen subsoil is particularly troublesome, while in dry regions so is an irrigation followed by

unexpected heavy rain. Ponds form on the ground surface, especially where the infiltration rate is

below the precipitation intensity. This process also occurs where the groundwater is deep. (Ochs

and Bishay, 1992).

Another cause of pond formation is insufficient subsurface drainage (natural or artificial),

causing groundwater tables near or even above the surface. In this case, the flow is not restricted

by insufficient infiltration into the soil but by the limited discharge of groundwater. The two

processes sometimes interfere. A temporary high groundwater level may cause slaking and crust

formation, which then causes stagnation of water on the surface, even after slight rains. Such

pools tend to become larger during further rains ( Sieben, 1964).

Related Literature

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

The agri-food sector is an important part of Canada. In the late 1800s more than 80% of

Canada’s population was involved in agriculture. Today, approximately 15% of our population is

employed in the agri-food sector, although less than 3% of the population actually farm (Coote &

Gregorich 2000). Food costs approximately 14% of disposable income in Canada, which makes

it one of the least expensive countries in the world (based on 1998 data) in which to buy food

(Coote & Gregorich 2000).

LAND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

Ontario has the largest area of cultivated, agricultural land with improved drainage in

Canada (Coote & Gregorich 2000). In Ontario, systems designed to drain water from agricultural

land include a combination of surface and subsurface drainage systems located within

agricultural fields.

Surface drainage

removes water from the surface of agricultural fields. Surface drainage systems may

include land smoothing or grading, field ditches, lateral ditches, grassed waterways, and open

drains or channels that provide an outlet for the accumulated water (Ritter & Shirmohammadi

2001; Irwin 1997b).

Subsurface drainage

(often called tile drainage in Ontario) removes excess water from the plant root zone and

lowers the water table (Ritter & Shirmohammadi 2001). The water table in agricultural fields is

represented by the upper surface of groundwater, which is the line or level in the soil below

which the soil is saturated.

Perched water table

is the surface or upper limit of a local zone of soil that is saturated with water that also is

separated from the main body of groundwater by an unsaturated zone in the soil. A perched

water table may be held above the main body of groundwater by an impermeable layer in the

soil, usually clay (Brady & Weil 2002).

IMPORTANCE OF DRAINAGE

• Ensures that the soil is properly aerated. If you have excess or standing water it can

choke your crops.

• Reduces soil and nutrient loss from runoff and can help avoid soil erosion

• On hill slopes helps to reduce the risk of soil slippage

ADVANTAGES OF SURFACE DRAINAGE

are to minimize the duration of ponded water that inundates crop, and minimize the

prolonged saturation of soil which restricts gas exchange with the soil and plant roots system or

which prevents cultural operations.

ADVANTAGES OF SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE

• Prevent water overflow- directing water away from your property to prevent

flooding.

• Decreases possibility of toxic materials- there’s a danger of toxic conta,ination

whenever a flood occurs, if you have a sub drainage systems installed, it will enable

you to get rid of excess water

• Reduces soil erosion-passive water accumulation can make soil muddy over time,

wgich can cause the soil to erode.

Agricultural land management and value:

• Construction practices

• Field efficiency and overlap of operations

• Government resources

• Land value

• Maintenance practices

• Regulatory compliance and mitigation against future changes in attitudes, policies and

regulations

• Safety

• Soil erosion contro

Natural land management and value:

• Headwater function re habitat and food web of ecosystem

• Headwater function re hydrol-ogy of water

• Headwater function re physical/chemical characteristics of wa-ter

• Government resources

• Land value

Conclusion

A proper drainage system can prevent standing water that can lead to flooding by sending

the water away from your homed. The excess water in your yard may kill plants. Drainage

systems also stop the gathering of stagnant water, which can encourage mosquitoes to breed.

Recommendations:

1.Prepare a factsheet outlining circumstances when a request to enclose an open drain

could be denied and the associated appeal process

2. Update the outline of a bene-fit-cost analysis under the Drainage Act

3. Conduct research on the impact of enclosure on headwater func-tions in agricultural

landscapes

4. Determine if grassed water-ways are commonly in place over enclosed drains

5. Examine what incentives would encourage private landowners to maintain the

ecological functions of drains

6. Develop recommendations for best management practices for enclosed drains

References:

1. Brady, N. C. & Weil, R. R. The nature and properties of soils (thirteenth edition). 2002.

NJ, Prentice Hall. Ref Type: Book

2. Coote, D. R. & Gregorich, L. J. (eds). 2000. The Health of Our Water: Toward

Sustainable Agriculture in Canada. Ottawa, ON: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,

Research Branch, Research Planning and Coordination Directorate. Ref Type: Report

3. Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA). Encyclopedia of materials: science and

technology, 1998.

4. Ritter, W. F. & Shirmohammadi, A. 2001. Agricultural nonpoint source pollution.

Watershed management and hydrology. Florida, CRC Press LLC. Ref Type: Book
5. (Ochs and Bishay, 1992). Drainage and reclamation of salt affected soils in the Bardenas

area, Spain. ILRI Publication 24. Wageningen, The Netherlands, ILRI. 321 pp.

6. Sieben, W.H. 1964. De invloed vande ontwateringstoestand op stikstofhuishouding en

opbrengst. Landbouwkundig Tijds., 76: 784–802.