Benefits of a two-stage ditch over the typical agricultural ditch include both improved drainage function and ecological function. The two stage design improves ditch stability by slowing down water flow and reducing the need for maintenance, saving both labor and money. It also has the potential to create and maintain better habitat and water quality conditions for the waters into which our drains flow into such as the Gulf of Mexico or Lake Erie. This is done by minimizing the amount of sediment and nutrients (such as phosphorus & nitrogen) that are transported from ditch to stream to river to sea.

• Blanchard River Demonstration (Farm Network) - Two Stage Ditch
• Smith Partners, Water Laws - Employing Two Stage Ditches to Tackle Water Quality and Soil Health
• Purdue Engineering - Two Stage Ditches
• Greenwood City - Two Stage Ditch in Greenwood, IN