Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water

Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water


Arizona Planning Guide for Natural Resource Concerns

Insufficient Water -

Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water

USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServicePage 1Arizona

Field Office Technical Guide, Section IIIJuly 2014

Resource Concern Description -Irrigation water is not stored, delivered, scheduled and/or applied efficiently. Aquifer or surface water withdrawals threaten sustained availability of ground or surface water. Available irrigation water supplies have been reduced due to aquifer depletion, competition, regulation and/or drought.

PlanningCriteria -Irrigation use does not limit the sustainable and beneficial use of the water resource. The water supply, irrigation system, field size, and other design factors allow irrigation water to be applied at the minimum required efficiency within designated Active Management Areas (AMAs) or other designated Irrigation Areas. For all other areas the system efficiency meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for that system type. Irrigation water is conveyed to where it is needed with minimal loss from seepage or leaks. The timing and amounts of irrigation water applied meets the needs of the plants at 90% or higher of the irrigation system’s potential efficiency.

Potential system efficiencies:

Graded furrow or border60-70%

Level basin 80-90%

Contour furrow or border50%

Microirrigation80-95%

Sprinkler75-85%

Tailwater recovery75%

Method for evaluating resource condition

  • Visual assessment
  • Client Interview
  • WINSRFR
  • National Engineering Handbook, Part 652, Chapter 15
  • Engineering Field Handbook
  • Crop quality and quantity measurements
  • Irrigation Water Index (IWI)

Conservation Practices that may be needed as part of a Conservation Management System to achieve Planning Criteria for this resource concern include those listed here.

327Conservation Cover

328Conservation Crop Rotation

330Contour Farming

331Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops

340Cover Crop

512Forage and Biomass Planting

320Irrigation Canal or Lateral

428Irrigation Ditch Lining

388Irrigation Field Ditch

464IrrigationLand Leveling

430Irrigation Pipeline

436Irrigation Reservoir

441Irrigation System, Microirrigation

443Irrigation System, Surface/ and Subsurface

447Irrigation System, Tailwater Recovery

449Irrigation Water Management

482Mole Drain

484Mulching

521CPond Sealing or Lining, Bentonite Treatment

521DPond Sealing or Lining, Compacted Clay Treatment

521APond Sealing or Lining, Flexible Membrane

521BPond Sealing or Lining, Soil Dispersant Treatment

533Pumping Plant

329Residue and Tillage Management, No Till

345Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till

610Salinity and Sodic Soil Management

442Sprinkler System

587Structure for Water Control

606Subsurface Drain

642Water Well

USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServicePage 1Arizona

Field Office Technical Guide, Section IIIJuly 2014

USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServicePage 1Arizona

Field Office Technical Guide, Section IIIJuly 2014

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