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This project calibrated and validated DRAINMOD 5.1 for prediction of nitrate concentrations in drainage water from conventional and combined (controlled/subirrigated) drainage plots. Weather, soil, water quality and hydrology data collected at Piketon, Ohio during 1996 and 1997 were used. Results indicated that DRAINMOD 5.1 was able to predict daily water table heights (within 30 cm) for both conventional and combined drainage practices on Omulga silt loam soil. DRAINMOD 5.1predicted cumulative nitrate loads adequately for conventional drainage. Predictions for combined drainage consistently overestimated the nitrate loads, perhaps because the nitrogen cycle rate reactions were not modeled as a function of soil water content, or because the plant removal of N was too low.