Irrigation Challenges and Solutions

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IRRIGATION WATER CONVEYANCE AND REQUIREMENTS
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WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DIVERSION?
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THE REAL WORLD VIEW
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DITCH AND CANAL LINERS
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PIPE FLOW
BY GRAVITY
OR PUMPS
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CROP SEED PRODUCTION
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Apply water to meet the crop needs
HAY PRODUCTION
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EFFECTIVE ROOT ZONE
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ROOT DEVELOPMENT AND SOIL LIMITATIONS
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MODIFIED ROOT DEVELOPMENT
50
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0
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EFFECTIVE ROOT ZONE
HIGH WATER TABLE LIMITS ROOT DEVELOPMENT
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WE OFTEN USE THE METHOD THAT SEEMS MOST FAMILIAR
EVEN WHEN THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO DO IT.
ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL!!!
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APPLICATION METHODS
MANAGEMENT IS THE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT
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WATER MEASUREMENT
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TOO MUCH WATER MAY CAUSE
Inflow
Detachment
Source
Infiltrating furrow stream
Runoff and sediment loss
Transport
Deposition
Tail Ditch
NWISRL Kimberly, ID
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TOO MUCH WATER IN ANY SYSTEM
Poor Design, Soil Landscape Variability, Applica
tion Rate, etc. Can Create Problems
NWISRL Kimberly, ID
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MAY LEAD TO OTHER PROBLEMS
OVER IRRIGATION AND EROSION
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Adequate soil moisture monitoring
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SEASONAL USE AT SOIL DEPTHS
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ALFALFA HAY - POTOMAC MISSOULA COUNTY
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GRASS HAY - POTOMAC MISSOULA COUNTY
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Sprinkler Efficiency Overview

• NRCS NATIONAL IRRIGATION GUIDE
• (Table 6-4)
• Periodic move lateral 60-75
• Traveling sprinkler (big guns) 55-65
• Center pivot - standard 75-85
• Linear (lateral) move 80-87
• LEPA Center pivot or linear 90-95

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GROSS Vs NET REQUIREMENTS

• The Gross application is that amount applied over
  the whole area to get the Net amount in to the
  soil where it can be used by the plant.
• To obtain a 1inch NET application with a 50
  efficient system one must apply 2 inches.
• A 75 efficient system would need to apply a 11/3
  inch Gross to get the same 1 inch NET.

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EFFECT OF LIGHT APPLICATIONS
SHALLOW APPLICATIONS
DATA BREAK
LOWER SOILS NOT IRRIGATED
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14.8 in.
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12.7 in.
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SOMETIMES WE MAKE THINGS HARDER THEN NECESSARY
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SUMMARY

• Conveyance losses (control limits, evaporation,
  leakage, etc.) reduce the amount of H2O taken
  from a source that is available for application
  to the field.
• Application losses come in many forms
• Weather Wind, heat, humidity, evaporation, etc.
• Soils Intake limits, water holding capacity
  effects
• System Uniformity, leaks, maintenance effects
• Management Flow controls, Time limitations,
  lack of Measurements of Flow rate and Soil
  Moisture
• The remaining water getting to the root zone is
  what is available to the plant for growth.

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QUESTIONS??
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