Constructed Basins for Agricultural Water Treatment in Minnesota

The soils and climate in southern Minnesotacan present significant challenges to corn and soybean producers. Poor internal drainage of high clay‐content soils can result in cold, wet soils in the spring which can cause delayed planting, and reduced crop yields. Agricultural drainage improvement can improve trafficability, enhance field conditions for more timely planting and harvesting operations, and help decrease crop damage that can result from saturated soil and standing water. Agricultural drainage improvement can also help reduce year‐toyear variability in crop yield, which helps reduce the risks associated with the production of abundant, high quality, affordable food.