Clay County Drainage Site
M.L. 2017: (e) $663,000 the first year and $662,000 the second year are for research to quantify and reduce agricultural contributions to impaired waters and for development and evaluation of best management practices to protect and restore water resources. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2022.
M.L. 2017: (e) $663,000 the first year and $662,000 the second year are for research to quantify and reduce agricultural contributions to impaired waters and for development and evaluation of best management practices to protect and restore water resources. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2022.
M.L. 2015: (e) $788,000 the first year and $787,000 the second year are for research to quantify and reduce agricultural contributions to impaired waters and for development and evaluation of best management practices to protect and restore water resources. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2020.
Number of contacts with farmers, crop advisors and other stakeholders at field days, presentations and other education eventsNumber of research or science groups that request and use data generated at Clay County Drainage Site (either to validate models, reference in TMDL studies or promote the adoption of conservation practices)Number of local and regional partnerships that support research at the Clay County Drainage Site
Will be updated after the fiscal year is complete
M.L. 2015: (e) $788,000 the first year and $787,000 the second year are for research to quantify and reduce agricultural contributions to impaired waters and for development and evaluation of best management practices to protect and restore water resources. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2020.
Number of contacts with farmers, crop advisors and other stakeholders at field days, presentations, and other educational eventsNumber of research or science groups that request and use data generated at Clay County Drainage Site (either to validate models, reference in TMDL studies or promote the adoption of conservation practices)Number of local and regional partnerships that support research at the Clay County Drainage Site
M.L. 2013: (d) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters.This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.
Measurable outcomes will be reported at the end of the fiscal year
M.L. 2013: (d) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters.This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.
Number of contacts with farmers, crop advisors and other stakeholders at field days, presentations, and other educational eventsNumber of research or science groups that request and use data generated at Clay County Drainage Site (either to validate models, reference in TMDL studies or promote the adoption of conservation practices)Number of local and regional partnerships that support research at the Clay County Drainage Site
Number of contacts with farmers, crop advisors and other stakeholders at field days, presentations, and other educational events (Project information has been shared with approximately 700 people through 37 presentations, field days and other events)
M.L. 2011: (d) $775,000 the first year and $775,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on non-point contributions to impaired waters. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.
Please refer to fiscal year 2014
Please refer to fiscal year 2014
M.L. 2011: (d) $775,000 the first year and $775,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.
Please refer to fiscal year 2014
Please refer to fiscal year 2016 for updated numbers
M.L. 2009: (d) $695,000 the first year and $1,570,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance related to ways agricultural practices contribute to restoring impaired waters and assist with the development of TMDL plans.
Please refer to fiscal year 2017
Please refer to fiscal year 2016 for updated numbers
The Clay County Drainage Site was designed to evaluate the environmental impact of both surface and subsurface drainage from agricultural fields. This site includes six subsurface plots and one surface runoff plot, each approximately 24 acres in size. Monitoring stations were fully automated and each individual plot was monitored separately.The soils and topography across this demonstration site are virtually identical and represent field characteristics common in the most productive agricultural areas of the Red River Valley.
Information collected at this site was shared at conferences and field days. The main audiences were local crop advisers and farmers, conservation professionals, and policy-makers.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture operates a network of drainage demonstration sites around the state, each designed to evaluate the quality and quantity of water and agricultural chemicals moving through subsurface drainage tile. These sites evaluate different methods of reducing phosphorus and / or nitrogen loss on agricultural lands and provide critical information about the characteristics of agricultural drainage.
This research site provided baseline data on the nutrient concentrations, flow-weighted concentrations (concentrations of nutrient per unit of water), and loads (amount of nutrient per drainage area) discharged from subsurface and surface drainage in the Red River Valley. The goal was to monitor both the quantity and quality of water leaving agricultural fields. Water samples were tested for:
- Total suspended solids
- Total phosphorus
- Dissolved phosphorus
- Nitrate and nitrite-nitrogen
The calibration phase of the Clay Drainage Site consisted of five complete years of data collection (2011-2015) on six separately monitored subsurface drainage plots that were managed consistently. The intent of completing this calibration phase of the project was to ensure that future treatments applied were placed on plots that respond similarly when all other conditions are held constant. The treatment phase started in 2016.
Research at this site compared nutrient loss between plots with and without drainage water management. Drainage water management (DWM) or controlled drainage, helps producers manage water on their fields. This practice can reduce tile drainage during flood periods, increase crop production, keep nutrients on the field, and limit nutrients downstream. Producers control the water by raising or lowering the elevation of underground drainage. Water can temporarily be held back within the root zone for later use by the crop or it can be released to drain the field for planting.
The site ended after 2019, concluding the treatment phase of the site which evaluated drainage water management (controlled drainage) alongside conventional tile drainage practices (free-flow drainage). In addition, the site ended due to the challenges of monitoring a gravity flow drainage system during flooding periods in the area. Occasionally, water overwhelmed the field site creating challenges for accurate monitoring. Automated lift pump stations provide forward flow and can combat monitoring challenges faced during flooding periods.