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A DITCH IS A HOLE IN THE GROUND GEEZ WHATS WRONG WITH YOU |
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[[Image:Ouse Ditches.JPG|thumb|Ditches at the [[Ouse Washes]] [[nature reserve]].]] |
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{{otheruses}} |
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A '''ditch''' is usually defined as a small to moderate depression created to channel [[water]]. A ditch can be used for [[drainage]], to drain water from low lying areas, alongside roadways or fields, or to channel water from a more distant source for plant [[irrigation]]. A [[trench]] can be defined as a long narrow ditch. Ditches are commonly seen around [[Farmland (farming)|farmland]] especially in areas that have required drainage, such as [[The Fens]] in eastern [[England]] and the pro-water management [[Netherlands]]. |
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Roadside ditches can provide a hazard to [[motorist]]s, especially in poor [[weather]] conditions. It is not an uncommon sight in some [[rural]] areas to see [[car]]s, [[motorbike]]s, or [[bicycle]]s that have crashed into ditches, or to hear of such accidents. |
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==Fortification== |
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In [[military engineer]]ing and [[fortification]], a distinction is made between a ditch and a trench. A ditch is an obstacle, designed to slow down or break up an attacking force, while a trench is [[cover (military)|cover]], intended to provide protection to the defenders. In [[Medieval fortification]], a ditch was often constructed in front of a [[defensive wall]] to hinder [[Mining (military)|mining]] and [[escalade]]. When filled with water, such a defensive ditch is called a [[moat]]. Later [[star fort]]s of [[Vauban]] and others comprised elaborate networks of ditches and [[parapet]]s, carefully calculated so that the [[soil]] for the raised [[earthworks (engineering)|earthworks]] was provided, as nearly as possible, entirely by the excavations whilst also maximising defensive [[firepower]]. Today ditches are obsolescent as an anti-personnel obstacle, but are still often used as anti-vehicle obstacles (see also [[berm]]). |
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<!-- Waterway for irrigation, industry, water service and others. (Ditch to water supply.) --> |
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==Sustainability of drainage ditches== |
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Drainage ditches play major roles in [[agriculture]] throughout the [[world]]. Improper drainage systems accelerate [[water contamination]], excessively desiccate soils during seasonal [[drought]], and become a financial burden to maintain. Industrial earth-moving equipment facilitates maintenance of straight drainage trenches, but [[entrenchment]] results in increasing environmental and eventually profound economic costs overtime.<ref>See also [[Hypoxia (environmental)|hypoxia]], [[dead zone]], [[nonpoint source pollution]], [[desertification]], and [[urban heat island]]</ref> |
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Sustainable channel design can result in ditches that are largely self-maintaining due to natural [[geomorphological]] equilibrium. Slowed net [[siltation]] and [[erosion]] result in net reduction in [[sediment transport]]. Encouraging development of a natural [[stream]] [[sinuosity]] and a multi-terraced channel cross section appear to be key to maintain both peak ditch drainage capacity, and minimum net [[pollution]] and [[nutrient]] transport.<ref>Geomorphic Characteristics of Drainage Ditches in Southern [[Minnesota]], and the concept of a Two-Stage Ditch Design (Brad Hansen, Bruce Wilson, Joe Magner, and John Nieber) |
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http://d-outlet.coafes.umn.edu/presentations/DrainForum06/J.%20Nieber-2-stage%20ditch%20design.pdf</ref> |
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[[Flooding]] can be a major cause of recurring crop loss -- particularly in [[heavy soil]]s-- and can severely disrupt [[urban]] economies as well. Subsurface drainage to ditches offers a way to remove excess water from agricultural fields, or vital urban spaces, without the erosion rates and pollution transport that results from direct surface runoff. However, excess drainage results in recurring drought induced [[crop yield]] losses and more severe [[urban heat]] or [[desiccation]] issues. |
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[[Controlled subsurface drainage]] from sensitive areas to vegetated drainage ditches makes possible a more optimal balance between water drainage and water retention needs. The initial investment, allows a community to draw down local [[water table]]s when and where necessary without exacerbating drought problems at other times.<ref>Drainage Water Management Updates (G. Sands) |
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http://d-outlet.coafes.umn.edu/presentations/DrainForum06/G.%20Sands-WTM%20Updates.pdf See also [[Watertable control]]</ref> |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Landforms]] |
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[[Category:Fortification]] |
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[[Category:Irrigation]] |
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[[Category:Physical infrastructure]] |
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[[cs:Gracht]] |
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[[da:Grøft]] |
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[[de:Gracht]] |
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[[et:Kuivenduskraav]] |
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[[fr:Fossé (infrastructure)]] |
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[[it:Fossato (architettura)]] |
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[[lb:Gracht]] |
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[[nl:Sloot (watergang)]] |
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[[ja:溝渠]] |
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[[sv:Dike]] |
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[[tr:Hendek (coğrafya)]] |
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Revision as of 02:20, 14 May 2008
A DITCH IS A HOLE IN THE GROUND GEEZ WHATS WRONG WITH YOU