Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2013ND272B

Development of a Model for Subsurface Drainage and Subirrigation Water Management

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2013 Start Date: 2013-03-01 End Date: 2014-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $3,608 Total Non-Federal Funds: $4,273

Principal Investigators: Xinhua Jia

Project Summary: In the Midwest, shallow water tables (WT) caused by excess precipitation and poor drainage conditions have the potential to increase soil salinity and water logging, and make field trafficability difficult. Installation of subsurface drainage systems (SSD)can help to remove excess water from the soil profile and make trafficability with heavy machinery easier during planting and harvest. This research project will focus on subsurface drainage and subirrigation water management by modifying the Checkbook irrigation method. The specific objectives of the study are to: 1) Determine the relationships between shallow water tables and crop water consumption. 2) Develop net irrigation amount using field measured water table, soil moisture, irrigation/drainage, and weather data. 3)Incorporate SI and SSD into the modified Checkbook method to develop a best water management practice for SSD and SI systems.The inclusion of SSD in the Checkbook method would allow a landowner to estimate the amount and time needed for drainage. Essentially, the introduction of SI and SSD in the soil water balance algorithm will allow the landowner to better manage the soil moisture deficit so that the field remains at optimal moisture conditions. In the end, the results of this study will allow a better understanding on the effects of a shallow water table on crop water consumption and, as a result, assist in the development of better management plans using the modified Checkbook method for a CD + SI system.