Drainage water management is an old practice that is finding new interest throughout the upper Midwest drainage states (MN, IA, IN, IL, OH), other parts of the U.S., and other countries. The impetus for the renewed interest is primarily to reduce nitrate-nitrogen loading from artificially drained agricultural lands. A literature review has just been conducted to synthesize the efficacy of this practice throughout the world and will be summarized herein. The upper Midwest drainage states of Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio are conducting research and demonstration on drainage water management in an effort to catalyze adoption of the practice. Recent progress on Minnesota research and demonstration projects will be reported.