Agricultural Drainage, Wetlands, & Water Retention

Why is it important the plan focus on this concern?

Adequate drainage can be a critical component of a successful farm operation. When new drainage is installed, there is an opportunity to design and install the system to help reduce nutrient losses into surface water and slow runoff from fields. These efforts combined with, for example, wetland restoration and water storage can be a benefit for water quality in agricultural landscapes.

What actions are needed for Agricultural Drainage?

Generally, local plans should provide guidance, objectives, goals and action items for further coordination of agricultural water management issues and use of Conservation Drainage (CD) practices. Examples of CD Practices are described in the publication Ten Ways to Reduce Nitrogen Loads from Drained Croplands in the Midwest or the Conservation Drainage Network. There is no single CD practice that will address all agricultural drainage issues, but several of the practices can be combined to meet water quality goals. It is recommended that:

  • Local plans discuss how CD practices can be utilized based on the drainage needs and water quality goals.
  • Local drainage authorities are proactive in encouraging the use of CD practices during repairs and improvements of existing drainage systems.
  • Redetermination of Benefits for ditch systems continue to be done in a proactive, consistent, and systematic manner.
  • The local drainage authority continues to base drainage regulations on science and current best management practice knowledge.
  • Information on the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program should be provided and participation encouraged to access technical and/or financial assistance to landowners and operators to implement CD practices.

What actions are needed for Wetlands and Water Retention?

Properly locating wetlands and water storage or retention projects can be a strategic component of overall efforts to manage nutrients, sediment, and water quantity issues. Counties should consider:

  • Conducting/updating culvert inventories in conjunction with identifying where water retention projects can be constructed utilizing LIDAR and GIS technologies.
  • Identifying projects where tile water from public drainage systems can be used to maintain long-term water levels in wetland restorations for water retention purposes.
  • Working with local farmers on agricultural wetland mitigation banking initiatives and include agricultural organizations on overall wetland planning efforts.

What resources may be available to accomplish the actions for Agricultural Drainage, Wetlands and Water Retention?

What area(s) of the county is high priority?

All agricultural lands of the county.

No

Why is it important the plan focus on this concern?

Agricultural chemicals may contribute to water pollution from runoff into surface waters or infiltration into groundwater. Contaminated groundwater and surface water can affect human health as well as ecosystem quality. The protection of drinking water is an important health issue as approximately 75 percent of Minnesotans obtain their drinking water from groundwater.

Groundwater contamination from nitrate presents a potential health risk to human populations that rely on it for drinking water. In areas with vulnerable groundwater, nitrate may exceed the drinking water standard. If elevated nitrate levels are detected in drinking water, there may be in an increased probability that other contaminants, such as bacteria or pesticides, may be present. Once the standard is exceeded, it may be difficult to reduce the levels of contaminants. Therefore, it is highly desirable to prevent contamination of groundwater from occurring through protective actions in areas with vulnerable aquifers.

Agricultural chemicals are also frequently a concern related to surface water impairments under the Clean Water Act. The most common agricultural sources of excess nutrients in surface water are chemical fertilizers and manure. Such nutrients contribute to eutrophication in surface water and have been identified as a source of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.

What actions are needed?

  • Continue the sealing of abandoned wells in agricultural landscapes and prioritize efforts for subsurface sewage treatment system upgrades in sensitive areas. Utilize the MDA Ag BMP Loan Program and other cost-share programs to assist landowners in addressing these issues.
  • Promote the appropriate Nitrogen Fertilizer BMPs for Agricultural Lands
  • Promote crop irrigation water management (Ag Weather and Irrigation Management Resources)
  • Encourage the conversion of older irrigation systems to low pressure.
  • Develop and implement educational programs regarding water management in conjunction with nitrogen fertilizer management.
  • Promote the establishment and data access of local climate stations to irrigators for ET (evapotranspiration) estimates.
  • Promote the use and availability of irrigation scheduling software and record keeping.
  • Promote the use of the county soil survey and other localized soils information in determining soil moisture holding capacity on a field-specific scale.
  • Encourage the use of soil moisture sensors (moisture blocks, tensiometers, etc.) and other advanced tools for determining crop water stress.
  • Chemigation (nitrogen applied through the irrigation water) is an excellent option for irrigators to distribute small amounts of nitrogen (20-30 lb/acre).  Note that the MDA requires a chemigation permit and the proper backflow equipment.
  • Provide assistance in irrigation uniformity testing and nozzle calibrations.
  • Provide nitrate testing services on irrigation water to help promote nitrogen crediting concepts and environmental protection. MDA staff can help provide equipment and technical assistance.
  • Promote hybrid and crop selection that have lower water and/or nitrogen requirements.
  • In highly sensitive groundwater areas or areas where high nitrate concentrations already exist, explore Alternative Management Tools, such as cover crops, diversifying the rotation, conversion to perennial crop or retiring the land.
  • Conduct training sessions and workshops for farmers that have agricultural production activities within sensitive areas and drinking water supply management areas.
  • Encourage the use of the Nutrient Management Initiative plots and similar tools within these areas.
  • More resources regarding drinking water protection in agricultural settings.
  • Provide Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program information and encourage participation to access technical and/or financial assistance to County landowners and operators to implement agricultural best management practices on working lands to reduce soil erosion, protect stream banks and improve water resources.

What area(s) of the county is high priority?

Sensitive areas where row crops and/or livestock are being produced, including Drinking Water Supply Management Areas.

What resources may be available to accomplish the actions?

The MDA prepares specific maps for counties to assist in local groundwater protection efforts. The maps should be used to prioritize groundwater BMP implementation, protection and restoration efforts. The Water Table Aquifer Sensitivity map classifies the county into three aquifer sensitivity ratings: low, medium and high. These reflect the likelihood that infiltrating precipitation or surface water would reach the water table possibly bringing surface contaminants with it. Priority should be given to the Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSAs), Wellhead Protection Areas and to the areas given a high aquifer sensitivity rating.

Nitrate concentrations found in MDA monitoring wells and wells in the County Well Index (CWI) are also shown on the map. Concentrations greater than 3 mg/L indicate nitrate concentrations above background levels, while concentrations greater than 10 mg/L are above the nitrate drinking water standard. 

Programs to evaluate:

Programs to prevent: 

Groundwater and Surface Water Protection: Agricultural Chemicals

Why is it important the plan focus on this concern?

Agricultural chemicals may contribute to water pollution from runoff into surface waters or infiltration into groundwater. Contaminated groundwater and surface water can affect human health as well as ecosystem quality. The protection of drinking water is an important health issue as approximately 75 percent of Minnesotans obtain their drinking water from groundwater.

Groundwater contamination from nitrate presents a potential health risk to human populations that rely on it for drinking water. In areas with vulnerable groundwater, nitrate may exceed the drinking water standard. If elevated nitrate levels are detected in drinking water, there may be in an increased probability that other contaminants, such as bacteria or pesticides, may be present. Once the standard is exceeded, it may be difficult to reduce the levels of contaminants. Therefore, it is highly desirable to prevent contamination of groundwater from occurring through protective actions in areas with vulnerable aquifers.

Agricultural chemicals are also frequently a concern related to surface water impairments under the Clean Water Act. The most common agricultural sources of excess nutrients in surface water are chemical fertilizers and manure. Such nutrients contribute to eutrophication in surface water and have been identified as a source of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.

What actions are needed?

  • Continue the sealing of abandoned wells in agricultural landscapes and prioritize efforts for subsurface sewage treatment system upgrades in sensitive areas. Utilize the MDA Ag BMP Loan Program and other cost-share programs to assist landowners in addressing these issues.
  • Promote the appropriate Nitrogen Fertilizer BMPs for Agricultural Lands
  • Promote crop irrigation water management (Ag Weather and Irrigation Management Resources)
  • Encourage the conversion of older irrigation systems to low pressure.
  • Develop and implement educational programs regarding water management in conjunction with nitrogen fertilizer management.
  • Promote the establishment and data access of local climate stations to irrigators for ET (evapotranspiration) estimates.
  • Promote the use and availability of irrigation scheduling software and record keeping.
  • Promote the use of the county soil survey and other localized soils information in determining soil moisture holding capacity on a field-specific scale.
  • Encourage the use of soil moisture sensors (moisture blocks, tensiometers, etc.) and other advanced tools for determining crop water stress.
  • Chemigation (nitrogen applied through the irrigation water) is an excellent option for irrigators to distribute small amounts of nitrogen (20-30 lb/acre).  Note that the MDA requires a chemigation permit and the proper backflow equipment.
  • Provide assistance in irrigation uniformity testing and nozzle calibrations.
  • Provide nitrate testing services on irrigation water to help promote nitrogen crediting concepts and environmental protection. MDA staff can help provide equipment and technical assistance.
  • Promote hybrid and crop selection that have lower water and/or nitrogen requirements.
  • In highly sensitive groundwater areas or areas where high nitrate concentrations already exist, explore Alternative Management Tools, such as cover crops, diversifying the rotation, conversion to perennial crop or retiring the land.
  • Conduct training sessions and workshops for farmers that have agricultural production activities within sensitive areas and drinking water supply management areas.
  • Encourage the use of the Nutrient Management Initiative plots and similar tools within these areas.
  • More resources regarding drinking water protection in agricultural settings.
  • Provide Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program information and encourage participation to access technical and/or financial assistance to County landowners and operators to implement agricultural best management practices on working lands to reduce soil erosion, protect stream banks and improve water resources.

What area(s) of the county is high priority?

Sensitive areas where row crops and/or livestock are being produced, including Drinking Water Supply Management Areas.

What resources may be available to accomplish the actions?

The MDA prepares specific maps for counties to assist in local groundwater protection efforts. The maps should be used to prioritize groundwater BMP implementation, protection and restoration efforts. The Water Table Aquifer Sensitivity map classifies the county into three aquifer sensitivity ratings: low, medium and high. These reflect the likelihood that infiltrating precipitation or surface water would reach the water table possibly bringing surface contaminants with it. Priority should be given to the Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSAs), Wellhead Protection Areas and to the areas given a high aquifer sensitivity rating.

Nitrate concentrations found in MDA monitoring wells and wells in the County Well Index (CWI) are also shown on the map. Concentrations greater than 3 mg/L indicate nitrate concentrations above background levels, while concentrations greater than 10 mg/L are above the nitrate drinking water standard. 

Programs to evaluate:

Programs to prevent: 

No

Additional Priority Concerns

  • Livestock & Manure Management
  • Agricultural Land Management
  • Targeting BMPs, Aligning Local Plans, & Engaging Agriculture
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Introduction to the Nutrient Management Initiative

The Minnesota Nutrient Management Initiative (NMI) was develo