Kristen Almen 2020

Kristen Almen is a M.S. student in the Environmental and Conservation Sciences program at North Dakota State University (NDSU). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences/Environmental Science with a Soil Science minor. She is advised by Dr. Xinhua Jia, a Professor in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABEN) Department. Her M.S. committee members are Dr. Thomas DeSutter from the Soil Science department and Dr. Thomas Scherer from the ABEN department.

Impact of Subsurface Drainage and Subirrigation on Water Quality in Richland County, North Dakota

Drainage water management via controlled drainage (CD) and subirrigation (SI) has shown positive effects on water quality. To determine the impact of CD and SI in the Red River Valley (RRV), data from two fields, each with CD and SI, were analyzed. Water samples taken during SI from a North Dakota field during 2012-2018 were significantly different from those taken during CD and free drainage (FD). This was likely due to the SI water source of marginal quality, which also impacted soil quality near the drain tile. Three Minnesota fields were compared during 2013-2019, each with differing drainage practices. Results from a rainfall event showed an intermediate water table depth in the CD and SI field, along with a higher phosphate but lower nitrate concentration in surface runoff samples compared to subsurface drainage samples. Despite differences found between these fields, correlation between drainage practice and crop yield was not present.

Xinhua Jia, P.E., Professor
Morrill Hall Room 204
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
North Dakota State University
NDSU Dept. 7620PO Box 6050
Fargo ND 58108-6050
Phone: (701) 231-6453
E-mail: xinhua.jia@ndsu.edu