thumbnail

A Framework for Understanding the Effects of Subsurface Agricultural Drainage on Downstream Flows

Scientific Investigations Report 2025-5023
Prepared in cooperation with Illinois Department of Transportation, Iowa Department of Transportation, Michigan Department of Transportation, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Missouri Department of Transportation, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, North Dakota Department of Water Resources, South Dakota Department of Transportation, and Wisconsin Department of Transportation
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255023

Links

Abstract

Understanding controls on streamflow volume and magnitude is important to water resource management applications, such as critical water and transportation structure design and floodplain mapping. Changes in land use and agricultural practices, such as subsurface agricultural drainage, may be contributing to changes in streamflow characteristics. Subsurface agricultural drainage, also known as tile drainage, is the practice of installing drains in the subsurface of agricultural fields to improve productivity. Because of the complex interactions between subsurface drainage systems, precipitation, local soil conditions, and land management practices, it is difficult to determine how subsurface agricultural drainage affects downstream flow. Previously developed subsurface agricultural drainage conceptual models under dry, saturated, and winter conditions are summarized, and current literature on the effects of subsurface agricultural drainage on downstream flows, focusing on peak flow, non-event flow, and total flow to develop frameworks for discussing these systems is compiled.

The effects that subsurface drainage has on hydrologic systems are expected to vary by site and are seasonally based on system design, soil type, moisture conditions, precipitation characteristics, and land conditions. Subsurface drainage can affect the magnitude of peak flow by converting surface runoff from a storm event to subsurface runoff. By increasing hydrologic connectivity of a catchment, subsurface drainage can increase non-event flow or the flow between two storm events, typically dependent on lateral flow through the subsurface and groundwater. Theoretically, by diverting water from groundwater recharge or by reducing water available for evapotranspiration, subsurface drainage may increase the total volume of flow. Precipitation changes may increase infiltration, excess overland flow, and flood risk regardless of the presence or absence of subsurface drainage.

Suggested Citation

Podzorski, H.L., and Ryberg, K.R., 2025, A framework for understanding the effects of subsurface agricultural drainage on downstream flows: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5023, 24 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255023.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Overview of Subsurface Agricultural Drainage
  • Data on Subsurface Agricultural Drainage
  • Conceptual Models for Subsurface Agricultural Drainage at the Field-Scale
  • Subsurface Agricultural Drainage’s Effects on Downstream Flow
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title A framework for understanding the effects of subsurface agricultural drainage on downstream flows
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2025-5023
DOI 10.3133/sir20255023
Publication Date April 17, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Dakota Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center
Description vi, 24 p.
Country United States
State Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details