Sub-surface tile drains help drain agriculture fields during and after rain events. These drains are necessary for row crop production in the Le Sueur River watershed because the soils are otherwise poorly drained, and crops can drown if subjected to standing water for more than 48 hours. However, increasing the efficiency of the drainage system likely increases peak flows, as well as total flows, in the river. In addition, the peak river flow likely takes place much sooner after peak rainfall compared to the pretiled Le Sueur River watershed. Sediment transport capacity is directly driven by hydrology, so an increase in peak and total flow has likely increased the erosive power of the stream.