Draining

Draining refers to the act of artificially removing water from land. This is used to reclaim wetlands, prevent erosion and produce more favorable crop growing conditions.

Methods of draining include:

1. Surface - consists of field drains, field ditches, a main collection ditch and an outlet. These are all designed to remove water that collects on top of soil. Works best in soils that absorb water slowly.
2. Subsurface - small conduits, a submain, a main and an outlet. Conduits collect water in soil and drain it to larger arteries.

Which system is used depends on soil type, land configuration, amount of water and pattern of rainfall as well as crops to be grown.

For example, high sand and silt soil would use subsurface draining while high clay would use the surface system.

The way that lands responds to these acts of draining is its drainability.

Close This Window

Go Back