Do -  Make and save a map of all tile drains and watercourses on your property.  Aerial photographs make a good record.

Do -   Do work the soil prior to spreading manure.  Inspect drain outlets during       spreading.

 

Do -  Walk your fields and look for and repair water holes in the field surface over drains.
 

Do -  Inspect tile drain outlets twice a year.  Look for signs of sand discharge and/or grass and straw caught in the rodent guard.  These are indications of problems you will find up the pipe.  Locate and repair the problem.

 

Do -  Inspect the tile outlet discharge for signs of stringy organic material and orange iron ochre.   Ask your LICO contractor for advice.

 

Do -  Repair and maintain tile outlets damaged by ice and erosion.

 

Do -  Inspect your field ditches and repair side bank erosion at points where surface water enters the ditch.

 

Do -  Direct clean water, ie, roof water, surface water, away from a contamination source such as an outside feedlot to an adequate outlet such as a tile drain, surface drain, etc. and not into a manure storage.

 

Do -  Develop a good crop plan which includes crop rotations and other soil saving practices.

 

Do -  Beware of fuel storage areas and watch for overflow onto the soil leading to the groundwater. Get a copy of the Regulations from your agricultural engineer.