Impact of Controlled Drainage and Subirrigation on Water Quality in the Red River Valley

The potential impact of controlled drainage (CD), which limits drainage outflow, and subirrigation (SI), which provides supplemental water through drain tile, on surface water quality are not well known in the Red River Valley (RRV). In this study, water samples were collected and analyzed for chemical concentrations from a tile-drained field that also has controlled drainage and subirrigation modes in the RRV of southeastern North Dakota from 2012-2018. A decreasing trend in overall nutrient load loss was observed because of reduced drainage outflow, though some chemical concentrations were found to be above the recommended surface water quality standards in this region. For example, sulfate was recommended to be below 750 mg/L but was reported at a mean value of 1971 mg/L during spring free drainage. The chemical composition of the subirrigation water was shown to have an impact on drainage water and the soil, specifically on salinity-related parameters, and the impact varied between years. This variation largely depended on the amount of subirrigation applied, soil moisture, and soil properties. Overall, the results of this study show the benefits of controlled drainage on nutrient loss reduction from agricultural fields.

Automated summary

The potential impact of controlled drainage and subirrigation on surface water quality in the Red River Valley is not well known. This study found a decreasing trend in overall nutrient load loss due to reduced drainage outflow, but some chemical concentrations exceeded recommended standards. The composition of subirrigation water had an impact on drainage water and soil, especially on salinity-related parameters, and this impact varied between years depending on the amount of subirrigation applied, soil moisture, and soil properties.