Rain Rain...go away!

So far it has been a WET spring in the Red River Valley! 

Our most recent storm, on Tuesday June 25th, produced about 2.91'' of rain!  This resulted in ponded/water logged soils at our undrained plot, see pictures below.

Southwest corner of the undrained field

West edge of the undrained field

The wet spring has also put the landowners subsurface and controlled drainage systems into use.  Below is a picture taken, at our free drained plot, of the subsurface drain tile outlet (left) and surface runoff culvert (right).

Drain tile outlets for subsurface drainage (left) and surface drainage (right) at the free drained site

 

Similarly, the subsurface drainage system was being put to use at the control drained and subirrigated plots.  Below is a picture of the drain tile outlet, which is at the same level as the ditch water level due to flash flooding from the previous storm.

Subsurface drain tile outlet for the control drained and subirrigated sites

 

However, amongst all of the rain and wet field conditions, we have managed to collect soil samples and water table data from the 24 wells placed throughout the undrained, free drained, control drained, and subirrigated fields.  The soil samples help us to calibrate our soil moisture sensors and the water table data helps us to visualize what is happening beneath the ground so that we can better understand water balance and crop stressors.  For example, after our last big rain on June 25th the water table rose 1.5 ft in some areas which resulted in water logged soils in the undrained field and drainage in the subsurface drained fields.