Kuehl and Payer, Ltd. Engineering in Storm Lake, Sac City and Algona Iowa

Agricultural Drainage Wells Closures Drainage District No. 176, Pocahontas Co.

The Challenge

The east central portion of Pocahontas County, is underlain with relatively shallow fractured limestone. Roughly a century ago, well drillers discovered that this rock formation would accept surface drainage waters discharged into the well casing. Several drainage wells were drilled in the area and were utilized as outlets for both surface and subsurface tile drainage. Drainage District No. 176, encompassing roughly 3,600 acres and including 37 agricultural drainage wells, remained inadequately drained due to the relatively poor performance of the wells. Kuehl and Payer was appointed by the District Trustees to investigate an alternative outlet for this District.

 

The KPL Solution

Kuehl and Payer, Ltd. prepared a preliminary plan for a new open ditch with tile laterals to be constructed to close all 37 drainage wells. Then working with the Corps of Engineers, USEPA, and NRCS, Kuehl and Payer, guided the Pocahontas Board of Supervisors through required Section 404 permitting and wetland mitigation requirements. In addition, we assisted the Board in obtaining $500,000 in state cost-share funds for the closure of these drainage wells. Kuehl & Payer then conducted survey and made final design decisions for the construction of 3.75 miles of main open ditch and 6.25 miles of tile drain laterals. The last of the 37 agricultural drainage wells in Drainage District No. 176, all closed pursuant to state well closure rule requirements, was closed on August 30, 2000

 

Results and Benefits

The productivity of the wetter lands in the district has greatly improved and landowners no longer need to worry about drainage wells and farmed wetlands. The public has also greatly benefited by the elimination of 37 direct avenues of potential pollution threats to our precious groundwater.

 

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