Abstract
We developed a comprehensive set of tools to simplify the design and layout of subsurface drainage systems. These tools, which utilize publicly available LiDAR (light detection and ranging) datasets, may also be used for other applications. The tool streamline operations include harmonizing geographic information system (GIS) layers into a single State Plane or Universal Transverse Mercator Coordinate System, clipping and thinning LiDAR data within a defined boundary, generating drainage networks with contour lines and laylines for surface flow visualization, identifying depressions and creating gridlines with user-specified angles and spacings. To showcase their use, an illustrative example using a diverse dataset from the University of Illinois’ South Farm is provided. These user-friendly tools, optimized for compatibility with all versions of QGIS3 (quantum geographic information system 3), are freely accessible for download or installation from the official QGIS plugin repository. A user manual with step-by-step instructions is available online on the Illinois Drainage Guide website.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 199-215 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Irrigation and Drainage |
| Volume | 74 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | Aug 6 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 2025 |
Keywords
- drain nets
- filled DEM
- laylines
- LiDAR thinning
- subsurface drainage
- unfilled DEM
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Soil Science