Farm Drains & Ditches
Drains and ditches are important as we use them to get water off our land, so that we can farm it. However, it is these very drains and ditches that are moving nutrients and contaminants quickly into our waterway systems.
Learn about all the different types of drainage ditches and how each one can offer a unique approach to mitigating the loss of contaminants into our waterways.
In depth overview of drains and ditches
If you would like to find out more about different drainage ditch water quality practices, watch the following video.
Nathan Burkpile from New Zealand Landcare Trust discusses how different types of ditches and drains can be used to improve water quality. [20 mins]
We need a title here
We need an introduction to all the different types of farm drains and ditches here please. Please consider what is missing here and what photos we need to complete this page. Many thanks!
In ditch wetland
It is important to determine the levels for an in-ditch wetland to ensure adequate drainage and water levels to encourage growth of emergent vegetation.
In ditch wetland build
Creation of shallow water habitat (200 – 300mm) to establish wetland plants for in-ditch wetlands
In ditch wetland
Establishment of emergent wetland plants through the in-ditch wetland and planting of native sedges along the wetland edge.
Re-batter and plant
Widening the drain to encourage growth of wetland vegetation to remove nutrients
Re-battering of the sides of a ditch
Re-battering sides stabilize the banks reducing erosion and planting in native vegetation creates a filter to reduce sediment from surface flows
Re-battering sides of a ditch
Widening the drain allow for the establishment of emergent vegetation and still maintain adequate paddock drainage for production.
Grassed swale
Grass swalls allow for the reduction of sediment and nutrients flowing from the paddocks. These grass swales can be grazed during the dry season but should be left high during the wet season.