Better Farming - August 2016

60 / 88

DRAINAGE DIRECTORY
60 Promotional Supplement DRAINAGE DIRECTORY August 2016
Continued from page 59
MARQUARDT
FARM DRAINAGE LTD.
Established 1968
We provide you with the best of:
● Drainage knowledge & expertise
● Free estimates based on our expertise
● Competitive pricing
● Personal Service
● Detailed Field Surveys
● Professionally designed & installed
drainage systems
● Installation using GPS technology
● Excavator & backhoe work
48 years of experience in providing
professionally designed &
installed drainage systems
Toll Free: 1-800-534-0393
Steve Cronsberry (Owner)
Office: 519-343-3233
Home: 519-338-2373
2 Crews
Since 1992
through the construction of ditches, swales, tiles and
other features. It is through this combination of natural
and built features that drainage and green infrastructure
intersect. When drains are designed to mimic natural
channels – by incorporating deeper pools, designated
wetland areas for higher water volumes during storm
events, and native vegetation – the benefits of green
infrastructure increase dramatically.
The principles embodied in green infrastructure can
improve rural drainage by:
– reducing impervious landscapes that increase the
volume and velocity of flows during spring runoff and dur-
ing storm events – the two most important times when
nutrients enter watercourses
– decreasing and delaying the highest flow rates in the
channel and reducing the total volume of water in chan-
nels and drains,
– decreasing the erosive force of water in the channel,
especially during storm events,
– preventing pollution from entering surface waters at
the outlet,
– designing drains that account for
sediment transport and deposition,
extending the longevity and capacity
of the drain, and
– recharging groundwater.
There is perhaps no better way to
describe green infrastructure than with an example. The
Scott Municipal Drain, near Belgrave, Ontario includes
natural channel design, constructed wetlands, diversion
berms and grassed waterways, and controlled subsur-
face and surface drainage features. For more informa-
tion, check out the online tour of the site! http://www.
Drainage staff in Norfolk County - in partnership with
the Ministry of Natural Resources, Long Point Conserva-
tion Authority and various other environmental agencies
- have established successful programs to enhance and
restore wetlands and riparian vegetation on municipal
drains. These programs have reduced drain mainte-
nance costs while improving water quality and quantity
and enhancing wildlife habitat throughout the County.
These kinds of projects demonstrate that, when applied
properly, green infrastructure and rural drainage can be
successfully combined to provide numerous benefits to
both human and nonhuman residents alike.
There are two upcoming opportunities to learn more
about the challenges and opportunities for green infra-
structure and natural channel design in rural drainage.
The 5th International Conference on Natural Channel
Systems will be held in Niagara Falls
from September 26 – 27. The theme
is “Linking Processes to Practices”,
and several rural green infrastructure
examples and topics will be presented.
).
The Latornell Conservation Sympo-
sium will be held at the Nottawasaga
Inn in Alliston from November 15 – 17.
The theme is “Green Infrastructure –
Collaborating with Nature”, and a full
roster of sessions dedicated to agricul-
tural issues. ).