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