Poster on the basics of subsurface drainage - a product of NDSU Extension Service.

1. Basics of Subsurface Drainage Using Tile
Tom Scherer, Hans Kandel and Roxanne Johnson
What is Subsurface Drainage? Tile Installation is High Tech Societal Requirements
Subsurface drainage can be described as Modern tile plows use global positioning systems
buried perforated pipelines that intercept water (GPS) for guidance. They also use GPS or lasers
below ground surface and direct it to an outlet. for plow depth control.
Subsurface drainage is often referred to as
"tile" drainage because up to the 1970's, clay or
concrete tiles were used to construct the
subsurface pipeline.
Subsurface Drainage Design
Perforated corrugated plastic “tile”.
Commercial Tile Plow
Tile Drainage Can:
 Increase yields
 Control the water table Controlled Drainage = Water Level
 Reduce salt accumulation in the soil and on
the surface Control at Outlet
 Maximize root growth
 Allow a wider variety of crops to be grown
Baffles inserted after
planting to set water
level and store water
for crops.
Farmer owned plow
Baffles removed
before planting and
harvest to allow the
field to drain.
Websites:
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/waterquality/tile-drainage-1
Undrained Condition Drained Condition http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/broadleaf/corn
Subsurface drainage controls the water table in the field Free flowing tile outlet and a pumped outlet