Agroecological Impacts from Salinization and Waterlogging in an Irrigated River Valley
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 2
Abstract
Extensive field data and calibrated flow and salt-transport models characterize the spatial and temporal patterns of salinity and waterlogging in an irrigated western river valley. Over three irrigation seasons, average seasonal aquifer recharge from irrigated fields in a study area ranges from , including contribution from precipitation. The salinity of irrigation water varies from . The water table is shallow, with 16 to 33% of irrigated land underlaid by an average water table less than deep. Average water table salinity ranges from , and average soil salinity from . Crop yield reductions from salinity and waterlogging range from 0 to 89% on fields, with regional averages ranging from 11 to 19%. Annual salt loading to the river from subsurface return flows, generated in large part by dissolution from irrigation recharge, averages about . Upflux from shallow water tables under fallow ground contributes to about per year of nonbeneficial consumption. Beyond problem identification, the developed database and models provide a basis for effectively addressing these problems through a systematic and comparative assessment of alternative solutions.
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Acknowledgments
This research was made possible by the interested cooperation of more than 80 Arkansas Valley farmers. It was funded by grants from the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station, the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Colorado Water Resources Research Institute, the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Bent County Soil Conservation District, the Fort Lyon Canal Company, and the Catlin Canal Company. Numerous agencies have provided valuable cooperative assistance, including the USDA Natural Resources Conserva-tion Service, the District 2 Office of the Colorado Division of Water Resources, the Pueblo Subdistrict Office of the USGS, the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, and the USDA Farm Services Agency.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 131 • Issue 2 • April 2005
Pages: 197 - 209
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Jan 8, 2004
Accepted: Jun 4, 2004
Published online: Apr 1, 2005
Published in print: Apr 2005
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