Northern water efforts to improve irrigation scheduling practices
Date
2008-02
Authors
Crookston, Mark A., author
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Northern Water formally established an IMS (Irrigation Management Service) in 1981 to promote improved on-farm water management. A principal IMS effort has been the advancement of irrigation scheduling practices through field-by-field demonstrations of improved practices. This was supported by establishment of a district-wide weather station network along with promotion of accurate on-farm water measurement. The field-by-field demonstrations of improved irrigation scheduling utilized the root zone water balance method, or checkbook method, coupled with soil moisture sensors. These efforts proved effective and received good acceptance by local growers. Water measurement is a key to improved irrigation management. Needed measurements include flow deliveries to the field, crop water use (calculated from weather station data), available water stored in the crop root-zone, local rainfall, tail water runoff, etc. Such measurements allow calculation of on-farm irrigation efficiency. This is a major step beyond just scheduling irrigations. It allows for an estimation of the volume of water used beneficially. The full benefits of improved irrigation scheduling are directly tied to the flexibility in water available for deliveries to the farm turnout or field. However, improved delivery flexibility comes at a cost. An appropriate balance must be achieved. Northern Water's IMS programs have experienced considerable success. However, institutional and economic barriers continue to curtail needed improvements in some areas.
Description
Presented at the 2008 Central Plains irrigation conference on February 19-20 in Greeley, Colorado.