Evaluation and Enhancement of Saturated Buffers as a Conservation Drainage Practice for Agriculture Subsurface Drainage Treatment

This project's goal is to improve the understanding of the function of saturated buffer, aid in their design, and assist in further adoption, the proposed research will address the following objectives: 1. Conduct literature review and field investigations of saturated buffers in Iowa. 2. Develop a model of groundwater flow using both MODFLOW and SEEP/W. 3. Develop a probabilistic model for slope stability analysis for saturated buffers using SLOPE/W. 4. Compare field measurements for Iowa saturated buffer installation sites with groundwater and slope stability model results. 5. Investigate relationship between groundwater flow, depth of stream channel, and distance from streambed to distribution pipe on the slope stability and erosion susceptibility of the streambed face. 6. Develop design guidelines for implementation of saturated buffers in locations with greater than 8 ft. (2.4 m) of incised channel depth. 7. Identify and recommend stability and slope armoring techniques to mitigate risk of channel bank erosion and failure.