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Surface and Subsurface Drainage | Civil Engineering Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Surface Drainage

Surface drainage refers to the shaping, grading, or management of the land surface to provide gradual removal or diversion of water off of the land surface. It is accomplished by smoothing out small depressions (land smoothing) or regrading an undulating land surface to a uniform slope, and directing water to a natural or improved, constructed channel. The main purpose of surface drainage is to minimize the duration of ponded water that inundates crops and to reduce prolonged soil saturation, which can restrict gas exchange with the soil and plant root system or prevent cultural operations.


Surface and Subsurface Drainage | Civil Engineering Optional Notes for UPSC

Advantages of Surface Drainage

The advantages of surface drainage include:

  • Minimizing crop inundation and prolonged ponding of water
  • Reducing soil saturation, which can:
    • Facilitate gas (oxygen and carbon dioxide) exchange with the soil and plant root system
    • Allow cultural operations like tillage, planting, and harvesting
    • Suitability for flat lands where slow infiltration, low permeability, or restricting soil layers prevent the ready infiltration of high-intensity rainfall

  • Removing excess surface water from the field or agricultural area

Surface Drainage Methods

A. Land smoothing

  1. Filling in small depressions
  2. Regrading undulating or uneven land surfaces to create a uniform slope

B. Uniform slope creation

The land is graded to create a consistent slope that facilitates the flow of water across the surface.

Considerations and Disadvantages

A. Surface drainage has a minimal effect on reducing saturated subsoil conditions occurring as a result of high water table conditions, especially where the source of the water is emerging from lower horizons.

B. Potential for soil erosion
If the water is not removed in an orderly manner, soil erosion may occur, and nutrient and other contaminants may be carried off in the runoff.

C. Transport of contaminants and nutrients

  • Phosphorus and many herbicides are normally bound near the soil surface
  • These contaminants may be transported off-site in the surface drainage water

Subsurface Drainage

Subsurface drainage is the removal of excess drainable porosity water in the subsoil, with the aim of lowering or controlling the water table depth below the crop root zone. It is usually implemented with the use of buried corrugated (and perforated) plastic or clay (tile) conduits, but it can also be done by creating an unlined pore (mole drain), constructing blind (or French) drains, excavating deep open drains, or by the use of tubewells (shallow groundwater wells).


Surface and Subsurface Drainage | Civil Engineering Optional Notes for UPSC

Methods of Subsurface Drainage

A. Buried perforated pipes or tiles

  1. Corrugated plastic or clay materials
  2. Installation below the water table

B. Mole drains

  • Creating unlined pores or channels in the soil.

C. Blind or French drains

  • Constructed with gravel or rock fill.

D. Deep open drains

E. Tubewells (shallow groundwater wells)

Advantages of Subsurface Drainage

A. In humid regions

  • Lowering the water table
  • Improving soil drainage conditions
  • Increased productivity and trafficability

B. In arid regions

  • Minimizing salt buildup in the crop root zone

Disadvantages and Considerations

A. Higher implementation cost per unit area

  • Especially for fine-textured soils.

B. Ineffectiveness for surface ponding

  • Caused by surface sealing or shallow compaction.

C. Environmental impacts

  • Modification of wetland habitats
  • Potential for contaminant discharge
  • Nitrate contamination due to enhanced nitrification
The document Surface and Subsurface Drainage | Civil Engineering Optional Notes for UPSC is a part of the UPSC Course Civil Engineering Optional Notes for UPSC.
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FAQs on Surface and Subsurface Drainage - Civil Engineering Optional Notes for UPSC

1. What are the advantages of surface drainage?
Ans. Surface drainage helps in removing excess water from the soil, preventing waterlogging, improving soil aeration, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing crop productivity.
2. What are some common methods of surface drainage?
Ans. Some common methods of surface drainage include land grading, contour plowing, constructing open ditches, installing culverts, and using surface drains like French drains.
3. How does subsurface drainage help in improving soil conditions?
Ans. Subsurface drainage involves installing pipes or tiles underground to remove excess water from the soil, which helps in improving soil aeration, reducing soil compaction, and preventing waterlogging.
4. What are some methods of subsurface drainage?
Ans. Methods of subsurface drainage include installing tile drains, mole drains, deep open drains, and using subsurface drainage pumps.
5. How does a combination of surface and subsurface drainage benefit agricultural land?
Ans. A combination of surface and subsurface drainage helps in effectively managing water on agricultural land by removing excess water from the surface as well as from the root zone, improving soil conditions, and enhancing crop yield and quality.
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