Planning to Drain Your Land
What are the benefits of tile drainage?
- Tile drained land will lower your unit cost of production and help you compete in the marketplace.
- Tile drainage is a best management practice. It reduces soil erosion and assists in the reduction of phosphorus in streams.
- The benefits of land drainage are many and depend on the condition and management of the farm after the work is done.
- For corn and soybeans - expect about 35 - 50% increase in yield compared to the same crops in undrained soil.
- For hay and pasture expect about a 30% increase in yield.
- Grazing periods are extended two to three weeks in the fall, thus saving on barn feeding.
- Well-drained soils carry more livestock per acre with less damage to the soil compared to poorly drained soil.
- Tile drained soils create uniform field conditions for early field work.
- Tile drained soils are essential for no-till agriculture on any soil type.
What will it cost to drain my land?
The following tables may be of assistance in making a preliminary estimate of the quantity of drainage pipe required for a drainage project.
Subsurface drains are often installed in agricultural fields employing one of four systems of layout: parallel, herringbone, double main, or random (Exhibit 201b). The type of system used depends. These NDS 12 in. Catch Basin 2-Opening Kit features UV-resistant 1-piece injection-molded structural polypropylene construction for strength. Use in areas where water buildup occurs. Use to catch and divert water to water safe areas away from structures, erosion-prone landscapes and poor drainage areas.
The table gives the size of main drain required to drain an area, when the drain is laid at a specified grade and is flowing full. For example, an 8-inch drainage pipe, laid at a grade of 0.10 feet per 100 feet will drain 16 acres. Your LICO contractor will provide the information for a specific situation.
Acreage Drained by a Main Drain Laid at a Specified Grade
Grade (%) | Tile Size (inches) | ||||
4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | |
0.05 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 20 | 35 |
0.10 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 30 | 45 |
0.20 | 4 | 13 | 24 | 40 | 70 |
0.30 | 5 | 17 | 30 | 50 | 80 |
0.50 | 6 | 20 | 35 | 70 | 125 |
Pipe with a smooth interior wall will drain a 20% greater acreage.
The number of feet of drainage pipe you will need in order to drain a certain area can be estimated from the following table. Your LICO contractor will discuss the actual need with you.
Length of Lateral Drainage Pipe Needed to Drain One Acre at a Given Drain Spacing
Lateral Drain Spacing & Drainage Pipe Required | |||
Spacing (Feet) | Feet per Acre | Spacing (metres) | Metres per Hectare |
20 | 2180 | 6 | 1640 |
30 | 1450 | 9 | 1090 |
40 | 1090 | 12 | 820 |
50 | 870 | 15 | 655 |
60 | 725 | 18 | 545 |
Main drains often add 10% to the total pipe quantity.
Local experience will help determine the cost for drainage work. Ask your LICO contractor to provide an itemized estimate of costs and provide a list of your responsibilities.
Some of the cost may be:
- surveying the field
- layout of the job
- moving onto the job
- installing the drain pipe
- connections
- cost of pipe, fittings, outlet pipes, filter material, catch basins and inlets.
Additional items may include:
- locating existing drain tile
- locating buried utilities
- repairing fencing and other items
- clean-up including stone removal
- needed permits
Some of the above may not be required, or, are not itemized in the pricing. Your LICO Contractor will answer all questions reasonably and do the work as agreed upon, at a FAIR PRICE for the results wanted.
A contractor cannot always determine in advance all the problems that might be encountered in the field and which could affect the final cost.
Click here to see A View of Drainage Costs from Country Guide, March 1998.
How can I pay for it?
Your LICO Contractor can advise you on financing. The Tile Drainage Act provides a loan for up to 75% of the cost of the work. The loan is financed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and is obtained through your local municipal office.
How can I find a good drainage contractor?
LICO Contractors have their business, machines and operators licensed through OMAF. The Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario provide ongoing training and professional development for their members. Ensure you select a licensed contractor who is a LICO Contractor! Click here to see LICO Contractors.
Also ask the contractor:
- To explain when and how he proposes to do the work?
- Does he guarantee his workmanship? For how long?
- Does he carry adequate liability insurance to protect you?
- Will he provide you with a plan of the work after completion?
Can I do the work myself?
As long as you only work on land that you own (or have under long term lease) you do not need a license and can do the work yourself. But why would you want to?
You are investing a lot of money in the job and the new equipment. You must be confident that you have the ability to construct a system that will work for you. It is not easy. The price of fuel, labour, drain pipe, junctions and other parts of the system cost about the same. There is no saving to you. The cost of installing the pipe varies across the province. Contractors receive about 40 percent of the total cost per acre for the installation.
Drainage contractors produce a professional job at a fair price. The reason you might consider doing the work yourself is certainly not to save money, it may be getting the work done at a time convenient to yourself. With planning and scheduling this problem should also be overcome.
Laser equipped mini-drainage plows, pulled with a tractor, are available. These machines are well built but often require more pulling power (traction, hydraulic capacity and speed adjustment) than the farmer usually owns, or extensive pre-ripping of the trench line may be needed. Main drains using larger pipe are also a problem. There is an extensive learning period to instal drains which will perform properly. Would you want an inexperienced contractor to drain your land? How do you plan to recover your investment in the machine? For more information see Pull-behind farm drainage plows.
What can I do to protect my drainage investment after installation?
- Design the system for future additions.
- Insist on a proper plan of the work, a statement of work performed and a list of materials used.
- Arrange to have the drainage system inspected and maintained each fall and spring on a regular schedule.
Remember, land drainage is a lifetime investment!
Latest News
Street Flooding
The City routinely inspects and clears catch basins throughout the City. However, if you see a clogged catch basin please contact City Hall or clear the obstruction. This will help reduce street flooding during a heavy rain event.
Kerby Field includes the Orten Fieldhouse, 3 Little League Diamonds, (1) 90' Diamond, 1 Soccer Field, the Dog Park, Roller Rink (summer months) / non-refrigerated Hockey Rink (winter months, weather dependant), and a playscape.
3 Baseball Diamonds
Kerby Field has three Little League diamonds, one 90’ diamond. These fields are primarily used by organized community based baseball leagues.
Kerby Field has three Little League diamonds, one 90’ diamond. These fields are primarily used by organized community based baseball leagues.
Dog Park -Dog Park Pass Application (PDF)
The Dog Park is available to residents of Grosse Pointe Farms on a permit basis. Residents must apply for a pass to be able to gain access to the dog park.
The City is planning on expanding the Dog Park within this next year. This project will double the size of the park and add multiple new features to the dog park. This project is being funded by the Grosse Pointe Farms Foundation.
Soccer Field
There is one youth soccer field at Kerby. This field is used by the Grosse Pointe Soccer Association.
There is one youth soccer field at Kerby. This field is used by the Grosse Pointe Soccer Association.
Playscape
Kerby Field has one youth playscape that is available for play during normal park hours and it is located behind the Orten Fieldhouse.
Kerby Field has one youth playscape that is available for play during normal park hours and it is located behind the Orten Fieldhouse.