Staying on Track

It wasn’t that long ago that installing drainage pipe meant reading topography by eye, relying on instinct and hoping your laser level held steady in the wind. However, over the last two decades, GPS has revolutionized how pipes are installed in the field, influencing everything from trench depth and slope accuracy to project documentation and efficiency. What started as a new trick in precision agriculture has become a standard tool of the trade across the drainage industry. Now, a new update to GPS infrastructure is on the horizon, and it’s worth knowing how it might affect your work.

From Concept to Cornerstone

In the early 2000s, contractors and farmers began experimenting with GPS-guided equipment to improve the layout and installation of drainage pipe systems. While initial systems were clunky and costly, the benefits were obvious: more precise grades, repeatable line spacing and faster installs with fewer corrections. As equipment manufacturers embraced GPS integration, systems became smarter, easier to use and more accurate, especially with the rollout of RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) correction signals, which dial accuracy down to the sub-inch level.

Fratco partners were among the early adopters. As precision demands increased, our pipe product lines rose to meet the challenge. These pipes are engineered with the consistency, durability and joint performance to match the exacting standards GPS-controlled systems make possible.

Today, GPS-based pipe installation isn’t just a best practice. It’s the standard. Whether you’re a contractor running miles of SingleCorr under crop fields or laying ProCorr for commercial water management, chances are good you’re depending on satellite data to do it.

What’s Coming in 2026 and Why It Matters

While GPS technology has grown increasingly seamless, a behind-the-scenes shift is coming that contractors should be aware of.

In 2026, the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), the framework behind GPS positioning in North America, is getting a major update. Two foundational systems, NAD 83 and NAVD 88, are being replaced. According to Iowa State University Extension’s recent memo, the current datums are slightly off from Earth’s actual center, by up to 2.2 meters horizontally and one meter vertically in some places.

The update will bring higher accuracy, but it also means your existing A-B lines, field boundaries and drainage pipe maps may no longer line up exactly. That could be a problem for installations relying on older RTK base stations or public correction networks.

If you use WAAS or commercial systems like Trimble, Ag Leader or John Deere RTK, you might not notice a big change, as those services will likely handle the shift automatically. However, if your setup utilizes local RTK stations or state-run correction networks, some recalibration or even resurveying may be necessary to keep your installations aligned and compliant.

What You Can Do

1. Check with your GPS provider
   Ask how they’re handling the NSRS update and what actions—if any—you’ll need to take.
2. Resurvey critical fields or projects
   Especially those with legacy pipelines or long-term management plans.
3. Stay informed
   The team at ISU Extension has provided a helpful guide tailored to ag applications. It’s worth a read for anyone managing their own drainage layout.

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Check out Iowa State University’s article with more information, also included on our Industry News page!