Irrigation Management

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https://hdl.handle.net/10217/195478

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 570

Open Access
Hydraulic operating characteristics of low gradient border irrigation systems
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1968) Heermann, Dale Frank, author; Evans, N. A., author; Natural Resources Center, Colorado State University, publisher
Open Access
Improving efficiency in agricultural water use
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1969-06-30) Kemper, William Doral, 1928-, author; Danielson, Robert E., author; Natural Resources Center, Colorado State University, publisher
Open Access
Hydraulics of low-gradient border irrigation systems
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1970-06-30) Evans, N. A., author; Heermann, Dale F., author; Howe, Orlando W., author; Kincaid, Dennis Campbell, author; Natural Resources Center, Colorado State University, publisher
Open Access
Improving efficiency in agricultural water use
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1970-07-31) Kemper, William Doral, 1928-, author; Natural Resources Center, Colorado State University, publisher
Open Access
The impacts of improving efficiency of irrigation systems on water availability in the Lower South Platte River Basin
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1970-1980) Morel-Seytoux, Hubert J., author; Illangasekare, T., author; Bittinger, M. W., author; Evans, N. A., author; Colorado Water Resources Research Institute, publisher
Open Access
Improvements in moving sprinkler irrigation systems for conservation of water
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1973) Miles, Donald L., author; Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, publisher
Open Access
Annotated bibliography on trickle irrigation
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1975) Smith, Stephen Wade, author; Walker, Wynn Roger, author; Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, publisher
Open Access
Models designed to efficiently allocate irrigation water use based on crop response to soil moisture stress
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1977-05) Anderson, Raymond Lloyd, 1927-, author; Yaron, Dan, author; Young, Robert, author; Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, publisher
Open Access
Impact of irrigation efficiency improvements on water availability in the South Platte River Basin: final report
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1979-01) Bittinger, Morton W., author; Danielson, R. E., author; Evans, N. A., author; Hart, W. E., author; Morel-Seytoux, H. J., author; Skinner, M. M., author; Colorado Water Resources Research Institute, Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, publisher
Open Access
Effects of alternative electricity rates and rate structures on electricity and water use on the Colorado High Plains
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1984-10) Gardner, Richard L., author; Young, Robert (Robert A.), 1950-, author; Conklin, Lawrence R., author; Colorado Water Resources Research Institute, Colorado State University, publisher
Open Access
AZSCHED computer software for irrigation scheduling
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1992-10) Clark, Lee J., author; Slack, Donald C., author; Martin, Edward, author; Fox, Fred A., Jr., author; U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
AriZona irrigation SCHEDuling (AZSCHED) software provides irrigation scheduling information on 15 crops in up to 60 fields, with different planting dates, soil types and irrigation strategies. AZSCHED uses the soil water balance method for irrigation scheduling with water-use being estimated by a Modified Penman equation and heat-unit based crop coefficients. The weather data are supplied by localized historical weather data supplemented with real-time weather data. Weather data can be input manually or from computer files. An irrigation prediction report is generated in which fields being scheduled are prioritized by date and the amount of water needed to restore the soil profile to field capacity. The program was written in Quick Basic and compiled into a compact, user-friendly and attractive package.
Open Access
Putah South Canal remote acoustic water level monitoring and flow measurement
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1992-10) Reynolds, Roger L., author; U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
The Putah South Canal (PSC) was constructed as a part of the Solano Project by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation for the conveyance of water to the agricultural and urban member units of the Solano County Water Agency in California. The Solano Irrigation District (SID) operates the PSC for the member units. Average annual deliveries are approximately 200,000 acre feet. The PSC has 12 manually operated radial gate check structures which are used to control the flow in the canal throughout its 33 mile length. Prior to the installation of the monitoring equipment, SID did not have the ability to instantaneously monitor the PSC flow status. When unanticipated delivery changes occurred, increases or decreases in the PSC flows often went unnoticed for several hours. The flow monitoring system installed during the winter of 1991-92 includes acoustic water level monitoring and radio telemetry equipment at each of the PSC check structures. The equipment measures the upstream and downstream water levels and then based on the measured head loss, gate opening, and radial gate parameters, calculates the flow through each of the radial gates. The flow and water depth data are continuously transmitted to the District office. This information provides the District with the ability to more efficiently monitor and manage the delivery of water in Solano County.
Open Access
Avoiding pitfalls in canal automation
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1992-10) Sagar, B. T. A., author; U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Open Access
Canal linings used by the Bureau of Reclamation with emphasis on rehabilitation
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1992-10) Haider, Thomas R., author; U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Designers, and others interested in water resource development, have strived to improve the cost effectiveness and technical properties of canal liners. Reclamation (the Bureau of Reclamation) has been involved in this endeavor for many years. Although the majority of Reclamation canals have been successfully lined with either concrete or compacted earth, a need was recognized for the development of alternative linings, along with the improvement of linings already in use. This paper will present a brief history of canal linings tested and used by Reclamation in the past and those currently under investigation, with an emphasis on linings which may be used for rehabilitations. The types of linings discussed include standard concrete, concrete placed underwater, shotcrete, compacted earth lining, compacted lime treated earth lining, soil-cement, buried geomembranes, exposed geomembranes, and geocomposites.
Open Access
Improving channel maintenance methods for Egypt's irrigation systems
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1992-10) Schantz, Frederick F., author; Dixon, Robert E., author; U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
After the construction of the High Aswan Dam in Egypt (1950s), the channel maintenance methods adopted by Egypt's Department of Irrigation included the employment of heavy, inefficient construction equipment that was utilized without an effective maintenance program. By the 1980s, these practices had seriously damaged Egypt's irrigation and drainage channel prisms and embankments, and were failing to effectively control the growing population of aquatic weeds. In an effort to improve this condition, the Channel Maintenance Project was formulated (1986) by the Egyptian Ministry of Public Works and Water Resources, with support from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the United States Agency for International Development. The project's primary objective was to improve ad hoc channel maintenance practices by replacing the established system of channel embankment excavation with an efficient preventive maintenance program that included a balanced cycle of weed control mowing, herbicide treatment and desilting. A variety of modern channel maintenance equipment were used, including hydraulic excavator-mounted shallow-draft buckets and weed mowers, and motorized herbicide sprayers. Project efforts began in June 1989 and are planned throughout the 1990s.
Open Access
Interdisciplinary teams for assessing the performance of irrigated agriculture systems
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1992-10) Clemmens, A. J., author; Levine, D. B., author; Dedrick, A. R., author; Clyma, W., author; U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
The Management Improvement Program (MIP) provides a comprehensive methodology for supporting improvement in the profitability and sustainability of irrigated agriculture. Diagnostic Analysis (DA), the MIP's first phase, relies heavily on an interdisciplinary team to assess the performance of irrigated agriculture and provide the foundation for subsequent performance improvements. Small group processes are used to build an effective interdisciplinary team and to frame and concur on understandings that integrate the various disciplinary perspectives. This process compels individuals with diverse technical backgrounds to acquire a holistic understanding of an irrigated agriculture system: farm and district economics, on-farm cultural practices, and water management from source to farm gate to field. structured, periodic professional facilitation is necessary to build and maintain an effective DA Team. Facilitation also helps to assure that all team members actively engage in developing accurate, complete findings that represent the current performance of irrigated agriculture in the study area. Further, stakeholders must be able to understand the DA Team's description of current performance, so they can identify, plan, and carry out needed improvements. A case study is described in which the DA results were received positively and are being used successfully in the subsequent Management Planning Phase.
Open Access
Routing flood water through an irrigation delivery system
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1992-10) Roche, W. Martin, author; U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
The Turlock Irrigation District, located in the Central Valley of California, supplies irrigation water to 150,000 acres and electricity to over 60,000 customers. The District's irrigation service area is highly developed, and most natural drainage channels have been eliminated. The irrigation delivery system, consisting of 250 miles of canals and laterals, is used by farmers and cities to route storm drainage during the wet season. There are two small intermittent streams, Sand Creek and Mustang Creek, that enter the canal system. During normal storm events, runoff is small and the canals can readily handle the flows from the two creeks, and storm water from Turlock, other communities, and farms. On February 12, 1992 an intense storm in the area resulted in rainfall accumulations of 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches in a 24-hour period. Rainfall of these intensities occurs less frequently than once every 100 years. By early afternoon it was obvious that large flows from the two streams would reach the canal system by evening. A command post was established and crews were organized to patrol the canals and to route flows to laterals with capacity available. In the early evening the Highline Canal had broken in five locations. Crews were immediately dispatched to begin repairs, and additional help was secured from local contractors and farmers. During the same period, the Turlock Main Canal was flowing at peak capacity, with flows being routed to several laterals. The City of Turlock had to discontinue pumping for almost 24 hours. By carefully routing the storm water and keeping the canals and laterals free of debris, additional major damage was avoided. As a result of this emergency, the Turlock Irrigation District is preparing a flood control manual for use in future flood events.
Open Access
Experience with flexible schedules and automation on pilot projects
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1992-10) Merriam, John L., author; U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Worldwide the on-farm water management restraints created by rigid water supply schedules cause problems of inefficient irrigation and rainfall use, high water tables, lowered production, increased and less convenient labor, complicated cultural operations, and increased costs. In the USA a beginning is just being made to modify the fixed flow rate/24 hour duration schedule to permit farmers to adjust the flow rate and duration. In developing countries frequency as well as rate and duration are usually fixed with rotation schedules. Because of the small farm sizes durations of the fixed stream vary in proportion to the farm area and not the soil intake rate nor antecedent rainfall. The rotation stream is delivered at inconvenient times and the flow rates are rigid and usually too small for practical management and for labor efficiency. High water tables correlate with inefficient irrigation. Pilot Projects designed with: adequate short-term storage to accommodate large variations in flow rate which are often greatly reduced at night; with automated canals and pipelines capable of responding to downstream farmer initiated flow variations; and with large variable streams to greatly reduce irrigation time and labor, can be used to demonstrate the value of flexible arranged or demand schedules having only economically non-restricting controls on frequency, rate, and duration.
Open Access
Technology transfer lessons from a U.S. water district
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1992-10) Welch, Douglas, author; McLaughlin, Karen, author; U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
An interceptor canal will be constructed near the end of eight laterals to collect and transport operational discharge and returned farm deliveries to a reservoir for temporary storage. The water will then be pumped over to an adjacent canal system for delivery. This project is being funded by the Imperial Irrigation District - Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (IID-MWD) Water Conservation Agreement. This paper describes the planning process for the project.
Open Access
The California Farm Water Coalition: telling thirsty Californians why agriculture needs water
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1992-10) Hall, Stephen K., author; Vuicich, Shelley, author; U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
The allocation of water for agricultural use in the western United States is currently being called into question. This scrutiny is most keen in California, a state with more than nine million acres of irrigated farmland. Rapidly growing urban demands and calls for environmental restoration are placing increasing pressure on existing water supplies, while the development of new supplies is both expensive and politically unpalatable. This convergence of new demands and stagnation in the development of new supplies is fueling an all out assault on farmers' water rights. For the first time in this century, farmers across the West are facing the question of whether their legal water rights are the secure property rights they once were considered to be. The California Farm Water Coalition was formed in 1989 to give agriculture a voice in the highly charged debate on water allocation now underway in California. Farmers and agricultural water district officials believe that agriculture's single largest enemy is public apathy and ignorance over the industry's use of water and the benefits that water use creates. The Farm Water Coalition strives to educate the public and policy makers about agricultural water use. The Coalition's mission is based on the belief that informed policy makers will make good decisions.