Welcome to agricultural water management 101 by Prinsco.
There is no question that the most uncontrollable element in farming is weather.
Subsurface water management gives producers an opportunity to regain some control from unpredictable weather.
An effective water management system is essential for crops to attain their full potential and
maximum yield it allows for proper soil composition and optimal root development maximizing plant strength and nutrient uptake.
The key visible features of a water management system include the outlet, a
ditch or stream to carry excess water away, and a buffer strip to shield the stream from overland soil erosion.
As rain enters the system, it is what happens below ground that makes a water management system so valuable.
The large diameter pipe is called a main.
The job of the main is to take excess water from the field and direct it out of the system.
The smaller pipes are called laterals and form a pattern or grid across the field collecting excess moisture and
carrying that water to the main.
Laterals are usually spaced 30 to 75 [feet] apart and are buried two and a half to four feet deep depending on soil type.
The main is always deeper than the laterals as water moves through the system using gravity. Water flows to [the] lowest point
which is always the outlet.
Water enters [the] laterals through small perforations or slits in the pipe.
The perforations are designed to allow water in and to keep soil out.
From a side [view] we see the main
note the water table is just below the main.
A properly designed water management system does not take all the water out of the soil,
it manages the water table to keep it at a constant depth which is usually three to five feet below the soil surface.
By managing the water table the optimal soil profile for plant growth is achieved.
The soil profile is the area from the soil surface to two and a half to four feet below.
This area is where nutrients are taken up by [the] plant roots.
Ideal soil properties in the profile are 50% minerals and organic matter,
25% air, and 25% water.
A cross-section of the main reveals the laterals entering allowing the water to flow downhill into the main.
As rain begins above ground the soil profile is able to accept water from the surface as it filters down.
Once the water reaches the perforated laterals excess water enters a system and begins flowing to the main
Compare that with the same field without a water management system.
Typically the water table is higher with less area available to absorb water. When the soil reaches full
saturation and rain continues excess water cannot soak into the ground.
The only place for excess water to go is to flow [overland] to the lowest point carrying with it valuable soil and nutrients.
This will cause erosion of surface soil dumping sediment and nutrients into the ditch or stream.
A water management system allows more water to be filtered [through] the soil and less risk of soil erosion.
As a soil profile reaches full saturation
the rain ends excess water filters down to the laterals into the main and out of the system through the outlet.
This reduces [the] amount of water in the soil profile. It is important to recall for optimal plant health
[25%] of the soil profile should be air if not plant roots will be deprived and necessary oxygen and cause plant death.
As excess water leaves the main into the ditch or stream the soil profile continues to take in needed [oxygen].
Plant roots continue to grow,
pushing deeper as the water table retreats. It is critical for young plants to establish deep roots early in life.
If the water table is at or near the surface for an extended period of time plant roots have no need to grow deeper seeking water.
Instead, they form shallow root systems. As the growing season progresses,
extended dry weather stresses plants as the shallow roots are unable to turn downward and capture moisture from the retreating water table.
By managing the water table plant roots thrive in an ideal soil profile.
Nutrient uptake is maximized and deep roots are established early benefiting the plant to the entire growing season.
Inline water control structures are a great addition to a water management system.
This unit is installed at the lowest point in the system usually near the outlet on the main.
A water control structure features adjustable stop logs that can be added or removed depending on the time of year and weather conditions.
When an extended dry period Is
anticipated the stop logs are placed in the structure at a level that will temporarily raise the water table.
As water enters the system it is held in the pipes by leaving additional moisture in the soil profile for thirsty plants.
When the system is saturated and the pipes are full, excess water flows over the stop logs and through the outlet.
Stop logs can be adjusted to hold water in the system
particularly after planting in the spring and prior to extended dry periods throughout the growing season.
If excess water conditions are present stop logs can be removed allowing water to flow [out] of the soil profile
Especially prior to spring planting and fall harvest.
Managing the soil profile with the water management system has
tremendous benefits. It is an affordable tool producers can use to directly impact the health of their crops during the growing season.
Keep in mind the golden rule [of] drainage- drain only that which is necessary to ensure
traffic ability and crop production and not one drop more.
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