MDA Conservation Drainage

Mower County, MN | Water

Overview

ISG designed drainage surge basins for agricultural land that previously had not been tiled.

Opportunity

An area previously without tile provided a research opportunity to see how the implementation of surge basins could improve water quality.

Solution

In conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Nature Conservancy, and Mower County, two drainage surge basins were designed and constructed utilizing areas currently not tiled. Existing tile flow and overland flow was diverted into each basin to provide stormwater storage and treatment for agricultural runoff. Each basin utilizes control structures to allow the water levels to fluctuate and provide for testing of flow rate, sediment and nutrient load. Other best management practices, including a large woodchip bioreactor were designed as a part of the project. Ongoing research by the MDA will provide detailed information on how small surge basins can improve water quality in an agricultural watershed.

Key Points

Partnership with the MDA, Nature Conservancy, and the County
Two drainage surge basins
Implementation of a woodchip bioreactor
MDA is researching the effects of surge basins on water quality

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