Basin‐Wide Impacts of Irrigation Efficiency
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 111, Issue 3
Abstract
Irrigation efficiency is one of the important factors affecting river basin water quality. Questions frequently arise as to whether increasing irrigation efficiency in a basin will have a net positive or a net negative effect on basin water quality. Quality and quantity of return flow from irrigation are related to irrigation efficiencies and leaching fractions. River basins have leaching fractions analogous to irrigation leaching fractions inasmuch as salts generated by mineral weathering and those dissolved by percolating waters are carried out of the basin by a fraction of the precipitation falling on the basin. Reducing the leaching fraction of a basin by increasing irrigation efficiency and consuming more water in the basin will decrease downstream water quality and quantity. Irrigation efficiency, as a salinity control measure, must be considered in the context of total water management to be properly interpreted.
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References
1.
Brito, R. A. L., and Willardson, L. S., “Sprinkler Irrigation Uniformity Requirements for the Elimination of Leaching,” Transactions, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Vol. 25, No. 5, 1982, pp. 1258–1261.
2.
Creighton, N. G., Hollingshead, D. H., and Stewart, D. P., “Efficient Waste of Water in the Upper Snake River Basin,” ASCE Specialty Conference Water Forum '81, San Francisco, Calif., 1981.
3.
Gilliland, M. W., and Fenner, L. B., “The Benefits of Water Management in Energy and Agricultural Development in the San Juan River Basin of New Mexico,” Resources and Conservation, Elsevier Science Publication Company, The Netherlands, Vol. 6, 1981, pp. 167–185.
4.
Israelsen, O. W., Irrigation Principles and Practices, John Wiley and Sons, N.Y., 1950.
5.
Rhoades, J. D., and Suarez, D. L., “Reducing Water Quality Degradation Through Minimized Leaching Management,” Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier Science Publication Company, The Netherlands, No. 1, 1977, pp. 127–142.
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U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program, U.S.B.R., Denver, Colo., 1983.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 111 • Issue 3 • September 1985
Pages: 241 - 246
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 ASCE.
History
Published online: Sep 1, 1985
Published in print: Sep 1985
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