Designing and Managing Agricultural Drainage to Maximize Benefits and Protect the Environment
A collaborative effort of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture with the University of Minnesota, Minnesota agencies, industries, farmers, and agricultural organizations
AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE is the removal of excess water from fields through the use of ditches and subsurface pipe (often called "drainage tile"). Typically, drainage ditches were developed first – then subsurface drainage pipes were installed to take water from poorly drained soils and convey it to ditches or streams. Subsurface porous drainage pipes are installed a few feet below the surface and can be made of concrete, clay, or now, more commonly, plastic.
CONSERVATION DRAINAGE is the use of drainage practices that are designed to provide the benefits of drainage while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.
MDA Contacts
Mark Dittrich
Senior Planner, Conservation Drainage
Mark.Dittrich@state.mn.us • 651-201-6482
Ag Marketing & Development Division
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