Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbus, Ohio » Soil Drainage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #149521
Title: RECYCLING RUNOFF AND DRAINAGE WATER

Author
item Fausey, Norman
item Allred, Barry
item CLEVENGER, B - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item BROWN, LARRY - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: ASAE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/27/2003
Publication Date: 7/27/2003
Citation: FAUSEY, N.R., ALLRED, B.J., CLEVENGER, B.W., BROWN, L.C. RECYCLING RUNOFF AND DRAINAGE WATER. 2003. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS. PAPER NO. 032166.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: An innovative agricultural water management system has been developed and is being tested for reduction of nonpoint source pollution of surface water streams. The system includes a constructed wetland and a water storage reservoir linked to subsurface pipes used at different times to drain or irrigate the root zone. Runoff and subsurface drainage water are collected in the wetland. Natural processes partially treat the water for removal of nutrients, pesticides, and sediment. Treated water is held in the reservoir until needed to irrigate crops or released to the stream to create additional treatment and storage capacity. The integration of the components allow the system to operate in a closed loop mode most of the time with water released outside the system only under controlled conditions. Benefits include greater crop yields, additional wetland acres and wildlife habitat, and reductions in the amount of nutrients and sediment discharged into local waterways.