Topic outline

  • Rural Water Management and Drainage (Vol. 2)

    Credits: 8 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    Rural water management and drainage is the practice of controlling and distributing water in rural areas, including agricultural and non-agricultural lands. It is important for ensuring a sustainable water supply, protecting water quality, and reducing the risk of flooding.

    This course provides guidance during the planning and implementation stages for artificial drainage practices. These stages could involve investigations, surveys, planning, design, specifications, installation, and the operation of the systems for proper water management. Although most of this course concentrates on agricultural drainage, which is the management of surface and subsurface water on agricultural and closely related lands, the principles apply to urban conditions as well. This course is not intended to provide guidance for large drainage channels. This course is the first of two parts, and can be taken as a standalone course, or in conjunction with part two.

    Topics:

    • Introduction
    • Types of Drainage Systems
    • Surface Drainage
    • Investigation and Planning of Surface Drainage Systems
    • Design of Open Drains
    • Construction and Maintenance
    • Subsurface Drainage
    • Applications of Subsurface Drainage
    • Investigations and Planning of Subsurface Drainage Systems
    • Field Drainage System Design

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for water resource, environmental, geotechnical, civil, construction, and other engineering professionals whose job description requires an intermediate knowledge of water management (drainage) methods and principles.
    Publication Source: USDA NRCS

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1