Rock River Conservation Drainage Water Management Demonstration Sites

This project is a partnership with farmers, livestock, commodity and conservation organizations and agencies to install, demonstrate and expand water drainage conservation within the Rock River Watershed. Up to four sites will be chosen based upon local selection criteria, installed and demonstrated to the public in 2013 and 2014.
Working with a farmer-led team, supported by conservation staff, an integrated plan will establish a baseline of soil and water quality conditions. Farmer-leaders propose to improve subsurface drainage water management, cropland production, nutrient loss and bacterial contribution to the Rock River. However, the primary effort with this proposal is to address the following strategies:
- Provide outreach and training for an area that has been underserved.
- Establish an easy framework for designs and training with contractors and farmers to implement practices and structures.
- Provide small group feedback forums to evaluate local acceptance, and applicability of conservation drainage to the region.
- Evaluate potential adoption for the entire length of the Rock River.