Agricultural tile drainage detection within the year using ground penetrating radar

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the tile drainage systems within the year (from spring to autumn) using the ground penetrating radar (GPR) geophysical method. The measurements were performed in the experimental locality Dehtare in the Bohemo-Moravian Highland (Czech Republic) in the years 2016 and 2017. The profiles located in the drained area were repeatedly measured together with the drainage discharges, soil moisture and groundwater level. The best visibility of tile drains was observed during snowmelt (in March and April) when the drainage discharges usually reach their maximum. In other months, the visibility of the drains was variable, but mostly worse. For a reliable detection of individual drains, the measurements above the drainage must be performed in several profiles. Under the conditions of the Czech Republic, the best results were obtained by a 500 MHz frequency antenna.