Drainage Water Management: Adoption Opportunities Ruth Book, P.E., Ph.D. State Conservation Engineer, NRCS – Illinois

What’s next? Overcoming challenges Illinois example Moving forward

Challenge #1 Site suitability Flat topography where tile map is available Drainage system conducive to DWM infrastructure

Challenge #2 Site suitability Flat topography where tile map is available Drainage system conducive to DWM infrastructure Ag producer interest Economics… Yield benefits? Financial assistance? Stopping the drain seems counterintuitive Environmental stewardship

Challenge #3 Site suitability Flat topography where tile map is available Drainage system conducive to DWM infrastructure Ag producer interest Economics… Yield benefits? Financial assistance? Stopping the drain seems counterintuitive Environmental stewardship Training of conservation professionals What, Where, Why, How Public & private sector, organizations

7 ILLINOIS Acres Suitable for DWM Flat cropland Likely to be tile drained Minimum15 acre parcels Simplification: land ownership and tile configuration not considered By the Numbers: 24 million cropland acres 10 million drained ~6 million (?) suitable for DWM

Illinois DWM Activity 1998 Demonstration project ~50 sites 2003 – present General EQIP 2007 Special project 82 plans Process Plan (includes survey and mapping) Design Construct Manage

Structures Installed Structures Planned Structures Proposed DWM Pilot – Status March 2000

10 ILLINOIS NRCS What has been done so far? Through EQIP: 5700 acres with plans developed 3000 acres DWM implemented (not including early years’ demonstration project)

What can we do right now? Target areas based on % eligible acres Provide training at multiple levels Acquire LiDAR topographic data accurate to 6” Devise special program emphases Get the word out to producers Can’t do it alone…

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