ADMS
Agricultural Drainage Management Systems

                                    Link to Action Plan accomplishments through 2005

                                    Link to 2006 Action Plan

 ACTION PLAN

The primary goal of the ADMS Task Force is to develop a national effort to implement improved drainage water management practices and systems that will enhance crop production, conserve water, and reduce adverse off–site water quality and quantity impacts. The Task Force will initially focus on reducing nitrate-nitrogen losses from agricultural lands carried in drainage flows by about 30 percent and improving the economic return of agriculture drainage. As this first goal is realized, the Task Force will look to implement and develop multiple drainage water management practices and systems that will address other site-specific water quality issues, as well as the integration of other water, pest, and nutrient management practices that are more suited to advanced drainage water management technologies. The vision and motto of the ADMS Task Force is “Save our Precious Resources from Going Down the Drain.”

Agricultural drainage improvements can be made to either the surface or the subsurface system, or a combination of both. Subsurface drainage is designed to remove standing water from the soil surface that is not removed by surface drainage. Removing water from the surface is important because it affects the water table depths and the right amount of surface drainage can benefit riparian areas, wetlands, and stream corridors. Improved drainage water management includes land leveling and smoothing; the construction of shallow ditches and grass waterways; the construction of shallow ditches and grass waterways; and the construction of surface water inlets to subsurface drains; which empty into open ditches and streams. The Task Force is promoting three basic improvements in drainage water management practices and strategies. These are structures placed for management of surface and subsurface drains (controlled drainage systems), management strategies to maintain water tables within fields (subirrigation or water table management systems), and replacement systems that can be managed (subsurface drainage systems which are installed shallower than conventional systems).

In the past, surface and subsurface drains were used to remove excess water from the soil to provide conditions that are more favorable for crop production. In recent years, science has shown that improved drainage management is a key to enhancing surface and ground water quality from agricultural lands. In addition to reducing nitrate-nitrogen losses, science has shown that improved drainage management is a major factor in: (1) reducing surface runoff of pesticides, (2) designing and operating more efficient wetlands and conservation buffers, (3) improving fish and wildlife habitat, (4) reducing problems associated with invasive plants in wetlands and water ways, (5) reducing hazards associated with salts and toxic elements on irrigated lands, and (6) increasing opportunities for enhancing water conservation on range, pasture and crop lands while enhancing agricultural productivity without requiring additional agricultural lands. Practical experience has shown that modifications that allow for management of existing drainage systems, or the replacement/installation of new systems with improved designs allows for better management of quantities and timing of water releases. Farmers are finding that these modifications will reduce losses of nutrients, such as nitrates, and additionally conserve water in the soil for crop uptake and use during drier periods.

The initial focus of the ADMS Task Force will be in the six states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, and Missouri. Previous research in these states has shown that a large percentage of the nitrate that migrates down the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers comes from surface and subsurface drainage discharge and base flow in this Midwest region. High concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen, phosphorus, and pesticides can be major concerns in streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs for either drinking, fishing, or swimming issues. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently reviewing its ongoing implementation of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program with particular emphasis on how to best address agricultural nonpoint source pollutants. The nitrate-nitrogen loadings from these key states are considered to be a significant contributor to Hypoxia zone in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Perhaps more important to the Midwestern farmer, the economic and conservation benefits of managed drainage systems are noteworthy, namely: (1) with less nitrate loss from the cropland in drainage discharge, smaller amounts of fertilizer may need to be applied, which would reduce production costs, and (2) during dry growing seasons, controlled-drainage conserves soil-water for crop use, thus improving potential yields.

Initial ADMS Objectives:

The ADMS Task Force proposes first to integrate, synthesize, and recommend applications of existing technologies for possible technical and financial assistance by NRCS and other Federal and State agencies. The ADMS Task Force will also assist in developing educational and training materials needed to implement the science-based management practices and technologies. Lastly, the ADMS Task Force will recommend additional research and development activities and priorities needed in the future to improve agricultural viability and environmental quality. The four major objectives for the ADMS Task Force are as follows:

  1. Provide additional scientific and technical assistance information for the development of environmental and societal goals and objectives, and performance measures for improved drainage water management practices and systems.
  2. Make sure that the completed and ongoing data sets for drainage improved water management systems are catalogued, cross referenced, and integrated into a national agricultural database.
  3. Provide coordination of the technical, educational, and extension materials on the design, implementation, and operation of drainage water management systems that supports its success and sustainability.
  4. Identify key technology gaps in drainage water management systems and related agricultural management systems and propose coordinated research, inventory, data collection, modeling, and technical assistance information programs to address the gaps.
  5. Initial ADMS Task Force Action Items:

    Based on the four primary objectives, the ADMS Task Force has initially proposed 14 action items:

    Related to Objective 1--

    1. Prepare technical journal articles for Soil & Water Conservation Society - special issue on “Controlled Drainage Practices to Reduce Nitrate Loss from Cropland.” The purpose of this action item is to distribute technical information on improved drainage water management practices to a large audience of technical advisors and users groups. Sheryl Kunickis and Charlie Schafer will coordinate this action item on behalf of the ADMS Task Force.
    2. Organize a science and technical session for the ASAE 8th International Drainage Symposium entitled “Drainage Water Management for the Midwest.” The purpose of this action item is to report to the engineering and scientific customers the details of controlled-drainage technology and the Task Force activities to implement the technology in the Midwestern States of OH, IN, IL, MN, IA & MO. Norman Fausey and Richard Cooke will handle coordination of this action item on behalf of the ADMS Task Force. Session Topics (papers) may include the following:
      a. Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico (Dale Bucks, Jim Fouss, and Wil Fontenot)
      b. Controlled-Drainage in Midwestern States (Ohio – Larry Brown and Norm Fausey; Illinois – Don Pitts and Richard Cooke; Indiana – Kladivko; Minnesota – Gary Sands; Iowa – Dan Jaynes)
      c. Controlled-Drainage Research and Practices (North Carolina – Robert Evans and Wayne Skaggs; Louisiana – Jim Fouss and Brandon Grigg)
      d. Canadian Experiences with Controlled-Drainage (Chandra Madramootoo).
    3. Propose a National Academy of Science, Water Resource Research, Water Science and Technology Board study or a Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) study on the merits, potential benefits and limitations associated with improved drainage water management systems. The purpose of this effort is to raise the visibility and importance of agricultural drainage water management science in solving natural resources and environmental stewardship problems after a number of technical conferences have been completed. Ron Marlow, Dale Bucks, and Tom Spofford will coordinate this action item.
      Related to Objective 2--
    4. Compile surface and subsurface drainage information along with nitrate-nitrogen water quality data for Midwestern States. The purpose of this action item is to quantify from available statistics nitrate applications and extend of subsurface drainage management installations, and to display the data on coded State maps. Mike Burkhart, Dan Jaynes, and Don Pitts will coordinate this action item on behalf of the ADMS Task Force.
    5. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis/modeling assessment. The purpose of this action item is to present an approach via economics and modeling to conduct the assessment and to display the summary results. Initial team members include Wayne Skaggs, Don Pitts, Dale Bucks, Dan Jaynes, Ramesh Kanwar, Larry Brown, Richard Cooke.
      Related to Objective 3—
    6. Revision and update of the Agricultural Drainage Technical Bulletin 871 entitled “Water Quality Impacts and Subsurface Drainage Studies in the Midwest,” that was originally published by The Ohio State University. The purpose of this action item is to provide a current status of agricultural drainage water management practices and their documented impacts in the key Midwestern States. Larry Brown, Norman Fausey, and Gary Sands will edit the revised bulletin.
    7. Preparation of a NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) Tech Note on Drainage Water Management, including information on ADMS Task Force and improved drainage management by Bill Boyd and Pat Willey. The purpose of this action item is to provide needed technical and methods information to NRCS Field Personnel responsible for advising farmers on proper installation or implementation of drainage management technology. Brandon Grigg and Gary Sands will provide reprints of published literature to the Tech Note writers.
    8. Increase emphasis on the collection of drainage management data in NRCS’s PRMS Reporting. The purpose of this action item is to provide a means of recording the implementation of drainage water management activities in the field, and to provide credit or documentation, as needed, for cost-sharing a portion of the practice implementation to improve water quality of drainage discharge. Bill Boyd and Pat Willey will coordinate this action item on behalf of the ADMS Task Force.
    9. Design and implement an ADMS Task Force Web site. The purpose of this action item is to provide a resource to convey information on controlled-drainage technology to a wide array of technical and user individuals and groups. Norm Fausey, Robert Evans, Jim Fouss, and Gary Sands will coordinate this action item on behalf of the ADMS Task Force.
    10. Develop revised engineering practices for surface and subsurface drainage water management systems in cooperation with the American Society of Agricultural Engineers beginning with prototype engineering practices for the Midwest. The purpose of this action item is to enhance the ability of States to develop drainage water management criteria or standards that are compatible with the NRCS’s Conservation Practice Standard for Drainage Water Management (Transmittal No. 554-1). Robert Evans, Pat Willey, Gary Sands, Jim Fouss and others will coordinate this action item.
      Related to Objective 4--
    11. Identify and invite additional participants for the ADMS Task Force from the following organizations/groups in the Midwestern States of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Minnesota: NRCS technical specialists (National and State Agronomists; Water Management Engineers; and Engineering Division Directors); State Agricultural Extension Service personnel; Land Grant Colleges and Universities researchers; Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA) representatives; American Farm Bureau Federation personnel; State Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ) representatives; Drainage and Water District representatives; Soil and Water Conservation Districts personnel; State Department of Agriculture personnel; Corn Growers Association representatives; and farmers and farm managers. The purpose of this action item is to broaden the support and customer base of the ADMS Task Force activities and goals. Jim Fouss, Wil Fontenot, and Dale Bucks will coordinate this action item on behalf of the ADMS Task Force.
    12. Presentation of ADMS Task Force activities to NRCS State Conservationists at their quarterly meetings. The purpose of this action item is to gain the support of the individual State Offices and get them “on-board” for recommending implementation of the new technology in their States. Wil Fontenot and Fred Kollmann will coordinate this action item on behalf of NRCS and the ADMS Task Force.
    13. Presentations and interactions with the USDA Partnership Management Team, which coordinates collaborative efforts between the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Cooperative State, Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), of ADMS Task Force activities and progress. The purpose of this action item is to provide technical and implementation information to this multi-agency management group. Dale Bucks, Jim Fouss, Wil Fontenot, and Stu Melvin, and Wayne Skaggs will coordinate this action item on behalf of the ADMS Task Force.
    14. Plan and conduct a customer and stakeholder workshop in 2004 or 2005 to identify technology gaps and drainage water management practices and systems and propose future research, education, extension, and technical assistance priorities for State Universities and Federal Agencies involved in Midwestern agriculture. The purpose of this interagency workshop is to clearly identify the research gaps and to develop a strategic framework for meeting the customer and stakeholder research needs. Dale Bucks, Wayne Skaggs, Norm Fausey, Eileen Kladivka, and Jim Fouss.