Get your entire farm elevation & drainage
mapped for $500
Custom Elevation & Drainage Maps for your Entire Farm
Plus simple tools to check elevations, slopes, and plan drainage improvements.
One Farm. One Price.
No per-acre fees. No hidden costs. Just straightforward pricing for your entire operation.
One-Year Engagement
Custom processing & portal development for your farm.
- Custom data processing & portal development
- All elevation & drainage layers
- Interactive tools
- Export & share
- 1 year of hosting & maintenance
- One update included (add or remove fields mid-year), then $150 per additional update
- Auto-renews at $500/year (cancel anytime from Members area)
Three-Year Development Project
Custom development with 3 years of hosting & maintenance included.
- Everything in One-Year Engagement
- 3 years of hosting & maintenance
- Free LiDAR reprocessing if new data available
- Free feature updates
- 3 updates included, then $150 per additional update
- No auto-renewal (option to renew for 1, 3, or 5-year term at end)
- 33% savings
Five-Year Development Project
Custom development with 5 years of hosting & maintenance included.
- Everything in One-Year Engagement
- 5 years of hosting & maintenance
- Free LiDAR reprocessing if new data available
- Free feature updates
- 5 updates included, then $150 per additional update
- No auto-renewal (option to renew for 1, 3, or 5-year term at end)
- 40% savings
Everything You Need for Smarter, Faster Drainage Decisions
Drain-IQ gives you the same terrain intelligence consultants use — without the cost, waiting, or complexity. See exactly how water moves, where it stalls, and how to fix it.
Flow Path Mapping — Your Secret Weapon for Efficient Drainage
Flow maps are the blueprint behind every effective drainage plan. They reveal how water naturally moves across your land — the same data consultants use to design ditches and tiles.
With Drain-IQ, you can:
- Instantly visualize every flow route across your farm.
- Adjust sensitivity with a drainage-area slider to highlight the most important flow paths first.
- Use those paths directly in your grade-control display to dig where drainage matters most — moving the least dirt for the biggest impact.
Elevation Mapping — Check Any Point, Anytime
Wondering if a low spot will actually drain to that outlet you've always questioned?
The Mark Elevations tool makes it easy: click anywhere to compare elevations instantly. With LiDAR accurate to within 4–6 inches on most ag land, you'll know where to dig and where to stop — no trips to the field or guesswork required. (Use RTK in the field to verify and implement your plan.)
Ponding & Depression Mapping — See Hidden Problem Areas
Even in a dry fall, Drain-IQ shows you exactly where water will collect.
Use the ponding slider to isolate the worst wet spots, or view the full picture of at-risk areas across your farm. Combined with Flow Maps, you'll know where the problems are — and how to fix them.
Wetness Index — Target Drainage Where It Counts
Wetness Index layers combine slope, flow, and catchment analysis to pinpoint saturation risk.
Use it to:
- Prioritize problem areas.
- Plan targeted tile drains through wet zones.
- Avoid unnecessary runs through dry ground.
Smart drainage means better performance and lower costs.
Design Tools — Plan, Share, and Build
If you like to plan ahead, Drain-IQ includes simple design tools to sketch drainage lines and ditches directly on your map.
Your plans are automatically color-coded and easy to read — purple arrows show grade direction and intent. Share them with anyone — contractors, advisors, or equipment operators — via a link that opens on any phone or tablet. Or export directly for systems like Ditch Assist, SD Drain, T3RRA, or Ditch Pro to see your design live in-cab.
Export Unlimited Maps & Download Your Data
Create and export unlimited PDF maps of your fields with any combination of layers — elevation, flow paths, ponding, wetness, contours, or your drainage designs. Mix and match to show exactly what you need for planning, sharing, or printing. You can also download the raw LiDAR data for every field and keep it forever — it's yours. Download contours and flow lines to load in Google Earth and other GIS software.
Always Updated. Always Yours.
If new LiDAR data is released for your area, we rebuild your maps automatically — no fees, no limits (multi-year pre-paid plans). Your Drain-IQ portal stays current, accurate, and accessible on any device.
What You'll Need to Get Started
Upload your field boundaries during signup — a single zipped file with shapefiles for all your fields.
Export field boundaries as shapefiles from your operations dashboard
Download field boundaries from field settings in shapefile format
Export boundaries from your field database
Most farm management systems support shapefile export — check your platform's documentation
- Single zipped (.zip) file containing all field shapefiles
- Each shapefile must include: .shp, .shx, .dbf, and .prj files
- Can be individual shapefiles per field OR one shapefile with all fields
- We'll email you your custom portal URL within 48 hours
Bottom Line
Drain-IQ gives you professional-grade drainage intelligence for your entire farm — instantly, affordably, and under your control.
How Drain-IQ Works
From signup to field-ready drainage intelligence in just three simple steps.
Sign Up Online & Upload Your Field Boundaries
Complete your online signup and upload your field boundaries in one step. We process your LiDAR data, run custom terrain models configured specifically for your fields, and generate all your drainage layers: flow paths, ponding, depressions, contours, and wetness potential.
Usually within 48 hours on weekdays (several hours of custom processing per farm), your entire operation is mapped, analyzed, and ready to explore.
Your Custom Web Portal — Anytime, Anywhere
We build your private, bespoke Drain-IQ portal with all your farm's data and tools configured specifically for you. We'll email you your custom portal URL once it's built — bookmark it and share with whoever needs access. Open it on your phone, tablet, or computer — no software installation, no login hassles, no training required. Instantly check grades, compare outlets, and design drainage plans right from the browser.
Keep It As Long As You Like
Your engagement includes hosting, ongoing maintenance, and free LiDAR reprocessing. After your initial term, simply renew for a small annual maintenance fee — or don't. Your data stays processed, organized, and ready whenever you return.
No per-acre costs, no consultant invoices — just simple, lasting value.
Mapping North America's Farmland
Wherever public LiDAR data exists, Drain-IQ can map it. Check your coverage below.
CA In Canada? Check if You're Covered
Virtually complete coverage across Ontario with significant coverage of southern Manitoba and Quebec. Expanding coverage in Saskatchewan and Alberta. From the Red River Valley to Ontario farmland—if you farm it, we can map it. New coverage areas added regularly.
Use the map above to check coverage in your area. Areas with visible LiDAR hillshade data are available for processing.
✓ Covered? Get StartedUS In the USA? Check if You're Covered
Nearly all major agricultural regions covered across the Midwest and beyond. From the Red River Valley to Iowa's rolling hills, Illinois flatlands to Nebraska plains—if you farm it, we can map it. New coverage areas added regularly.
Use the map above to check coverage in your area. Green overlay = LiDAR available. Transparent (satellite only) = no coverage yet.
✓ Covered? Get StartedSign Up for Drain-IQ
Complete your signup below and upload your field boundaries. Most farm management platforms like John Deere Operations Center, Climate FieldView, and others allow you to download boundaries — check specific instructions for your platform.
👀 See what you'll get with your own unique portal URL and YOUR fields mapped:
1-Year Access
Auto-renews at $500/year • Cancel anytime from Members area
- Complete LiDAR processing for your entire farm
- Custom web portal with all drainage layers
- Flow paths, ponding, wetness, elevation tools
- Free updates if new LiDAR becomes available for your region during your term (at renewal)
- Auto-renewal (cancel anytime to prevent next renewal)
3-Year Access
One-time payment • No auto-renewal
- Everything in 1-Year plan
- 3 years of full access
- Free LiDAR reprocessing if new data becomes available for your region during your term
- At end: Option to renew for 1, 3, or 5-year term
- Best value for multi-season planning
5-Year Access
One-time payment • No auto-renewal
- Everything in 3-Year plan
- 5 years of full access
- Maximum long-term value
- Free LiDAR reprocessing if new data becomes available for your region during your term
- At end: Option to renew for 1, 3, or 5-year term
Important: LiDAR Coverage Required
Only fields with public LiDAR coverage can be processed. We will verify coverage for your area before processing. If only part of your farm has LiDAR coverage, no discount applies—we can only process the covered areas. Check coverage on the interactive map before signing up.
How to Prepare Your Field Boundaries
What to upload: A single zipped (.zip) file containing either individual shapefiles for each field OR one shapefile with all your fields included. Each shapefile must include the .shp, .shx, .dbf, and .prj files.
Where to get boundaries: Most online farm management platforms allow you to download field boundaries:
• John Deere Operations Center: Export boundaries as shapefiles
• Climate FieldView: Download field boundaries from field settings
• Other platforms: Check your platform's export or download options for shapefile format
Processing time: Typically 48 hours (weekdays) after signup. We'll email you your custom portal URL once it's built — bookmark it and share with whoever needs access.
Need help with field boundaries? Contact Northern Plains Drainage to sign up and get assistance with boundaries.