Assessment of an agricultural drainage improvement program in New York state

Richard A. Malecki; James D. Sullivan

ABSTRACT:

Water drainage from agricultural land in New York is being enhanced by outlet projects sponsored by local conservation districts. Although presently small in scope, the potential expansion of this program is great. Dairy and cash-crop farming operations have benefitted through increased crop yields and acreage under cultivation. Further improvements are expected from expansion of on-farm drainage systems. Alterations in the natural environment directly affect stream channels, cause a loss of wetland and riparian habitat through a lowering of the water table, and reduce habitat diversity. A balanced approach in the design of land drainage systems is needed.

Footnotes

Richard A. Malecki is assistant leader, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853. James D. Sullivan, former graduate student with the Unit in the Department of Natural Resources, is now a student at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13210. Funding for this research was provided by a grant from the College of Agriculture and Life Science's Agricultural Water Management Program at Cornell and from federal aid support through the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
Copyright 1987 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society

This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.