Field ditches normally discharge water to larger channels, which in turn convey runoff to watercourses, rivers, and lakes. Surface drainage systems have several advantages. They have low initial costs, carry large volumes of water, remove surface water rapidly, and are easy to construct. However, they do not solve problems related to soil saturation caused by a high water table. Also, the installation of ditches results in the loss of some farmable land and an increased vulnerability to soil erosion.
Maintenance costs can be very high.