WEST PINAL NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

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WEST PINAL NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
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CONSERVATION THROUGH COOPERATION
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THERE ARE THREE BASIC IRRIGATION SYSTEMS USED IN
PINAL COUNTY

• SURFACE

• SPRINKLER

• DRIP

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SURFACE
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Surface irrigation is when water from an
irrigation ditch is applied to the soil surface
and allowed to flow over the land.
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In Arizona, 90 of harvested acres are irrigated
with a surface irrigation surface.
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The mechanism for getting water from the ditch to
a level basin or graded slope field is by the use
of siphon tubes, ports or high-flow gates.
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ADVANTAGES

• Low initial system cost
• No water quality problems
• Easy management
• No energy requirement

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DISADVANTAGES

• High water cost because more water is used
• High labor cost
• Inability to apply small amounts of water

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SPRINKLER
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A sprinkler irrigation system is the application
of water to a field by means of perforated pipes
or nozzles operated under pressure.
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There are primarily two types of sprinkler
systems in Arizona. They are center pivots and
linear move systems.
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ADVANTAGES

• Applies water evenly and where it is needed
• Can apply light watering that reduces or
  eliminates run-off and erosion
• Low labor cost
• Can be used on non-leveled fields

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DISADVANTAGES

• High initial system cost
• A pump and power supply is essential to run the
  system
• Cannot apply large amounts of water

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DRIP
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A drip irrigation system is one in which all
necessary facilities are installed for
efficiently applying water directly to the root
zones by means of applications (orifices,
emitters, or drip tape) operated under low
pressure.
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The applicators can be placed on or below the
surface of the ground.
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ADVANTAGES

• Low pressure operation
• Fertilizer can be applied directly to the root
  zone
• Weed control because of reduced wetting area
• Greater yields per unit of water applied
• Less water is need because less is lost through
  evaporation, run-off, and deep percolation beyond
  the root zone

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DISADVANTAGES

• High initial system cost
• Filtering is essential to avoid plugging of
  emitters
• Care must be taken to avoid damage to pipeline
  with machinery

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SOIL TEXTURE IS IMPORTANT
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Irrigation management depends on soil texture
Silt feels silky smooth when wet
Sand feels course and gritty
SILT
LOAM
SAND
CLAY
Clay feels sticky when wet. Loam is a
combination of all of these.
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Soil is the natural medium for plant growth.
Soil composition influences the ability of a
plant to grow and produce.
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Soil may appear lifeless, but every soil has a
different ability to let water enter, hold water,
supply plants with enough minerals, and allow
roots to grow deep and spread out.
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Before irrigating, a farmer needs to consider how
hissoil feels in his hand
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CONCLUSION
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By using a properly designed and installed
irrigation system and implementing good
irrigation water management practices, Arizona
farmers are able to grow food and fiber with the
least amount of water.
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Efficient irrigation preserves finite water
resources, conserves energy and offers farmers
economic benefits.
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For more information, please contact the West
Pinal Natural Resource Conservation District at
[phone], Extension 3