Improving Woodchip Bioreactors for Agricultural Nitrate & Phosphorous Reduction in Dodge County
Agricultural drainage is very prevalent practice in Dodge County and there is a need to implement practices to that will better manage flow and pollutant loads that are being contributed to nearby surface waters. This project involves the installation of a woodchip bioreactor on a tile-drained agricultural field, which will feature improvements in design, and monitoring scope, as compared to a previous bioreactor constructed in Dodge County in 2007. The bioreactor for this project will demonstrate a cost-effective way for agricultural producers to reduce the nitrate level of tile discharge water, and further the understanding of how these same units can aid in phosphorous management, as well.
Nicole Clapp
This project will install one woodchip bioreactor to mitigate nitrate impacts from agricultural drainage from a 17 acre watershed.
This project resulted in the installation one woodchip bioreactor to mitigate nitrate impacts from agricultural drainage from a 22 acre field. In addition, grant funds were also used to educate the public about conservation drainage practices and activities.