The Imperial Irrigation District states that their tile drains are from 6-10 feet in depth and parallel the irrigation canals. They have specifications and plans for many and archival photographs of installation. They are large perforated pipes set in trenches.  For references see Marrion M. Weaver 1964 The History of Tile Drainage in America Prior to 1900. Waterloo, New York and Arthur P. Philsbury and William R. Johnson 1965 Tile Drainage in the San Joaquin Valley of California. UCLA Department of Irrigation and Soil Science. 

Regards,

Jerry Schaefer
 
ASM Affiliates, Inc.                     
2034 Corte Del Nogal
Carlsbad, CA 92011
760-804-5757 (office)
760-804-5755 (fax)
http://www.asmaffiliates.com/ 

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pentney, Sandra
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2012 11:07 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Agricultural Drainage Tiles

Has anyone done any research on agricultural drainage tiles? How much of an agricultural field is disturbed from the installation of drainage tile? Are/were the tiles installed at an average depth? Does anyone know of any reference material on this topic?


Thank you,
Sandra.