Drainage in the Humid Areas of the United States

The object of this paper is to acquaint the engineer briefly with the extent, needs, and current problems of drainage in the humid areas. In addition to the extent of drainage, improvements and accomplishments of the principal assistance programs are discussed. Examination of the changes brought about by drainage and some brief historical notes are included. Drainage is an activity in which federal, state, and local agencies, such as drainage enterprises and the individual farmer, cooperate in the planning and construction of drainage improvements. The functions of the various agencies responsible for drainage are described. Further described are the kinds of assistance furnished by technicians of the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture (SCS), working through soil conservation districts on drainage problems. Construction of adequate farm drainage systems for cultivated lands is the most extensive need, but there are some 20,000,000 acres of wet l ands that could be drained and cultivated if required. The programs adopted by the states of Louisia na and North Dakota to meet special drainage needs are described. In many cases agricultural drainage has been impaired by inadequate culverts under roads or railroads. The paper cites the need for attending to this problem and refers to the Ohio Turnpike drainage standards as an example of how this problem may be met. Other technical problems, including those met with in the use of tile drainage, and some of the principal research needs are outlined.