Controlled drainage

Last changed: 20 June 2024
Control well for water level. Photo.

Controlled drainage is a form of subsurface drainage, where the groundwater level is regulated with damming devices. When water is recharged it is called sub-irrigation. The measure can reduce greenhouse gas emission from organic soils and acid discharge from acid sulphate soils.

Controlled drainage regulates the subsurface drainage from the fields by means of damming devices installed in the control wells. This improves growth conditions and reduces nutrient leaching. With controlled drainage, the groundwater level can be kept occasionally higher than with conventional drainage, and as a result the soil moisture increases and the subsurface drainage decreases. Increased soil moisture improves plant water and nutrient uptake, increasing yields and reducing the amount of potentially leachable nutrients in the soil.

Localisation and implementation

Controlled drainage is best suited for fields with a maximum slope of 2%. The soil type must be very permeable to water, which is why silt loam, and coarser soil types as well as muddy clays are well suited for controlled drainage. Poorly permeable subsoil must be relatively close to the ground surface for dams to work.

Effects and maintenance

Compared to conventional drainage, controlled drainage reduces total runoff, nutrient leaching and rust formation. In acid sulphate soils, acid formation and leaching of metal compounds are reduced. The crop yield, in turn, increases and its quality improves.
To benefit the vegetation and the environment, the control drainage requires appropriate care (esp. dam height adjustment). Maintenance includes cleaning the wells and flushing pipes in rusty areas.

 

 

Authors:
Helena Äijö and Minna Mäkelä, Finnish Field Drainage Association (FFDA), Finland.

Contact: Helena Äijö, FFDA, Finland. e-mail

 

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