The short term agronomic impact of raising canal water levels in grassland areas: A case study in the Belgian polders

► The agronomic impact of raising ditch water level grassland in a 6 years field trial was studied. ► Agronomic parameters were measured within and outside a wetted area. ► Few effects of raising ditch water level on the measured parameters were found. ► In a parallel lysimeter study we found significant effects of drastic water level elevation.