LiDAR for Agricultural Drainage

DTM-Based Tile Drain Design and Field Water Management

Effective field drainage is the difference between productive farmland and waterlogged waste. LiDAR captures centimeter-accurate terrain data across entire farms in hours, revealing the micro-topography that controls water movement.

Map Your Farm Terrain

Why Drainage Planning Needs Accurate Terrain

Water flows downhill. Even subtle elevation differences of 10-20 centimeters determine where water pools and where it drains. LiDAR captures millions of points, revealing terrain features traditional surveying misses.

Low Spots

Where water collects after rain events

Natural Paths

Drainage routes that can be enhanced

Subtle Slopes

Affect tile drain placement and outlets

Boundaries

Hedgerows that influence water movement

Key Deliverables for Drainage Design

Digital Terrain Model

Foundation for all drainage analysis. Lidarvisor classifies ground automatically, removing vegetation and crop residue. 0.5m to 1m resolution captures critical micro-topography.

Slope Analysis

Critical for tile drainage design:
• Drain spacing calculations
• Tile sizing (steeper = smaller pipe)
• Outlet placement at lowest points
• Erosion risk identification

Contour Lines

DXF-format contours for drainage design software:
• 10-25cm intervals recommended
• Direct import to design tools
• Elevation attributes preserved

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