CONTROLLED DRAINAGE

Controlled drainage is a drainage technique that uses stoplogs or flashboards to dam outflowing drained water. The result is a rising watertable which keeps the soil appropriately saturated for optimal growing.

The results are clear and simple enough: keeping the water table at plant root improves yields (25–60 bu/ ac), decreases expenditures on fertilizers (~30%) and decreases the dependency on inefficient irrigation techniques during periods of limited rainfall.

At Fratco, we take environmental responsibility seriously. We’ve been wedded to the earth for nearly a century and we’re here to protect it. Controlled drainage can decrease water outflow by 20%, nitrate losses by 45% and phosphorus runoff by 35%. These drastic reductions carry a huge positive impact on the surrounding environment.