surface irrigation in montana. most systems in place for many years
Post on 19-Jan-2018
217 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
SURFACE IRRIGATION
IN
MONTANA
MOST SYSTEMS IN PLACE
FOR MANY YEARS
SURFACE IRRIGATION TYPES
• WILD FLOODING• CONTOUR DITCH
• BORDERS• FURROWS
CONTOUR DITCH
PERMANENT CROPS STEEP SLOPES, LITTLE SMOOTHING
SOMETIMES REPLACED WITH GATED PIPE
BORDER IRRIGATION
• ALMOST ALWAYS GRADED BORDERS
• ALFALFA, GRAINS• MAY BE USED IN
SHORT ROTATIONS WITH FURROW
CROPS
FURROW IRRIGATION
MOSTLY IN THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN
Gated Pipe Systems
Great increase in use since cost share began in late 1980’s.
PROBLEM
AREAS
WATER QUALITY
• Late season (>July) water quality/volume declines.• Leaching component must be applied in the spring.• Conversion to center pivots may not be feasible.
LACK OF WATER MEASUREMENT
LEADS TO OTHER PROBLEMS
OVER IRRIGATION AND EROSION
ENCOURAGE USE OF PAM
EQIP CONVERSION TO SPRINKLERS
LABOR SAVINGS + MANAGEMENT
FINALLY, THE BOTTOM LINE:
PROFITABLE CONSERVATION
top related