Subsurface Drainage

(Tile) Design

Thomas F. Scherer
NDSU Extension Agricultural Engineer
Thomas.Scherer@ndsu.edu
(701) 231-7239

Tile Drainage Design Workshops

2014

Sioux Falls, SD - January 29-30

Wahpeton, ND February 11-12
Crookston, MN March 5-6
Mankato, MN March 17-18

Where is Subsurface Drainage Used?

Around the foundations of buildings with basements.
Under roads and highways:

To control heaving due to frost or water pressure, intercept sidehill water, reduce frost boils, etc.

In the toe of earthen dams to control seepage water.

Many other locations where subsurface water is a
problem.
On agricultural fields with high water table and/or salinity
problems.

How Water Flows into Tile Lines

Rain

Runoff

Water Table Level in late July, August and September

How Water Flows into Tile Lines

Runoff

Water Table

How Water Flows into Tile Lines

Runoff

Water Table

How Water Flows into Tile Lines

Runoff
Water Table

How Water Flows into Tile Lines

Water Table

Water Table No Tile

Runoff
Water Table

Confining Layers Below Tile Lines

Water Table

Confining Layers Below Tile Lines

Water Table

Tiling Societal Requirements

Visit the County Natural Resource Conservation Service

(NRCS) Office

Wetland Maps and Locations

Local Water Resource Board (changes to drainage law)

Permit required if tiling 80 acres or more.

If the tile project is of statewide significance, then need approval from

the State Water Commission

Talk to Neighboring Land Owners

Fish and Wildlife Wetland Easements

Key Design Parameters

A Successful Tile Project Starts with

a Good Plan

Field Characteristics

Surface drainage
Topography
Soils

Drainage Coefficient
Drain Outlet
Tile Grade
Spacing between Tile
Mains, Sub-Mains, Laterals

Field Characteristics

Topographic Map

At least 1-foot vertical contours but 6-inch

would be best

Soils

Check county soil survey book or the NRCS

web soil survey
(http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov)

Take soil samples at the depth of drain tile (3 to 4

feet) to confirm soil survey info
Soils with sand fraction, do a sieve analysis to
determine if filter (sock) is needed

Topographic Map 1 foot Contours

98.00

2600 ft.

87.00

Drainage Coefficient

Design amount of water to remove from the land in

a 24 hour period (Maximum Flow)

Field Crops

High Value Crops (Vegetables, Potatoes, etc.)

With Good Surface Drainage to inches

With Good Surface Drainage to inches

inch per acre = 6,800 gallons (4.7 gpm)

3/8 inch per acre = 10,210 gallons (7 gpm)
inch per acre = 13,600 gallons (9.5 gpm)

Does removing 3/8th of an inch from the soil

make much difference?

Drained depth in soil is the difference between the

volumetric water content at saturation (all pore
spaces are full) and the soil water tension at air
entry value (approximately 0.05 bar tension)

For a silty clay soil, about 7 to 8 inches

For a silty loam soil, about 5 to 6 inches

Remember: approximately 40% or the roots are in

the top of the root zone

Gravity Flow Outlets

Need For Lift Pump

No Gravity Outlet

Shallow ditch, No permission to make ditch deeper

Tile Mainline

Need For Lift Pump

Outlet (ditch) fills up after a large rain and takes several days to
subside (downstream control, small culvert, etc.)
You want to have control of water leaving the field

Tile Spacing is Important

General Tile Spacing

Recommendations
(tile depth 3 to 4 feet)
Tile Spacing in feet
Soil Type

Permeability

DC =

DC= 3/8

DC =

Clay Loam

Very Low

60

40 to 50

35

Silty Clay Loam

Low

75

50 to 60

45

Silt Loam

Moderately Low

90

60 to 70

60

Loam

Moderate

100

70 to 80

70

Sandy Loam

Moderately High

120

80 to 120

90

Drain Spacing Calculator

http://climate.sdstate.edu/water/DrainSpacingCal.html

Tile Line Spacing with Depth

2 ft.
3 ft.
4 ft.

28 ft.
48 ft.
62 ft.

Tile Grade

Rise
Tile Grade = -----Run

Rise
Run
Tile Grade is usually expressed in percent grade
For Example, 0.1 percent grade would be a 1 foot rise or drop in 1000 feet
and a 0.5 percent grade would be a 5 foot rise or drop in 1000 feet

Tile Grade versus Full Carrying

Capacity (gallons per minute)
Tile Diameter (inches)
Slope (%)

10

15

0.1

11

23

42

150

240

600

0.2

15

33

59

208

340

705

0.3

19

41

74

260

410

1030

0.5

24

53

95

334

530

1320

0.1 % slope = 1 foot vertical drop in 1000 feet of tile

Tile Grade Can Change Along a Lateral

Starting and Stopping too Often Can Cause:

Grade Control is Very Important!

Tile Installation Patterns

Targeted Drainage Pattern

Possible Layout

Another Layout Option

200 acres Tiled 45 acres

160 acres

160 acres

2440 feet

Basic Design Procedure

Topographical map of the field 1 foot vertical contours

Field soil maps may need soil samples in areas indicative of major
soil series at depth of tile (3 to 4 feet)

NRCSs Websoil Survey (websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov)

Google Earth with soilweb.kmz
If sand is present have a soil sieve analysis done to determine sock/fine slot
tile requirement

Select Outlet or Outlets select elevation of outlet

Design the field layout (hardest part)
Layout design in the field with colored flags or GPS instruments
Install in order: Outlet (gravity or pump station), then Mains,
Submains and finally Laterals.

Controlled Drainage

Baffles removed before planting and harvest to allow the field to drain.

The outlet is raised after planting to

potentially store water for crops.

160 acres

2440 feet

160 acres

200 acres Tiled 45 acres

Thank you
for your attention!

What is Subsurface Drainage?

Slide courtesy of Dr. Gary Sand, University of Minnesota

Soil Water Holding Capacity

Saturation
Drainable
Water
Field Capacity

Plant Available Water

Wilting Point

Oven Dry