Reduction of Deep Percolation and Drain Water
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 119, Issue 3
Abstract
Principle considerations in examining water‐management options for the control of toxic trace elements in agricultural drainage waters are addressed, including a number of improvements in off‐farm water delivery systems, as well as efficiency of on‐farm irrigation systems and water reuse. Potentials exist to improve off‐farm water‐delivery systems through reductions in seepage losses with canal linings, operational spills through systems irrigation scheduling, and interception of water losses and reuse. Potentials also exist in improving on‐farm water management through improved irrigation application systems, on‐farm irrigation scheduling, and other cultural products such as changes in cropping patterns. These on‐farm management options will affect net farm income due to increased costs of equipment and structures, increased labor requirements, and changes in crop revenue. But not all of these will have a negative economic input. For instance, efficient irrigation systems not only value drainage but tend to increase crop yield or decrease crop production inputs. Installation of structural system improvements and use of system scheduling of water delivery may result in decrease in operation and maintenance costs. Institutional and legal constraints, particularly water‐right ownership, may constrain efforts to minimize drain‐water production and toxic‐element problems. The long‐term economic viability of irrigated agriculture will require careful consideration of both off‐farm and on‐farm management options.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Benson, S., Delamore, M., and Hoffman, S. (1993). “Kesterson crisis: Sorting out the facts.” J. Irrig. and Drain. Engrg., ASCE, 119(3), 471–483.
2.
DeMaggio, J. (1990). Tech. memo. San Luis unit drainage program project files, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Sacramento, Calif.
3.
“Economic Investigations.” (1982). Reclamation instructions series 110, planning, Part 116, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Washington, D.C.
4.
Evaluation of unlined ditch and reservoir seepage losses in the Westlands water district. (1988). Federal State San Joaquin Valley Task Force, Sacramento, Calif.
5.
Grismer, M. (1993). “Water quality control of agricultural subsurface drainage.” J. Irrig. and Drain. Engrg., ASCE, 119(3), 537–543.
6.
“Land classification resource.” (1980). Water and sewer instructions series 110, planning. Part 115, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Washington, D.C.
7.
Lining for irrigation canals. (1963). 1st Ed., U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colo.
8.
“Project lands—appendix F.” (1972). Definite plan report, Central Arizona project, Arizona, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Boulder City, Nev.
9.
“A report on the feasibility of water supply development, San Luis unit, Central Valley project, California.” (1955). U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Sacramento, Calif.
10.
Schmidt, K. (1993). “Hydrogeologic factors affecting mobility of trace inorganic constituents.” J. Irrig. and Drain. Engrg., ASCE, 119(3). 600–612.
11.
Tanji, K. K., and Hanson, B. R. (1990). “Drainage and return flows in relation to irrigation management: Chapter 35.” Agronomy monograph no. 30: Irrigation of agricultural crops, ASA‐CSSA‐SSSA, Madison, Wis.
12.
Walker, W. R., and Skogerboe, G. V. (1986). The theory and practice of surface irrigation. Utah State University, Logan, Utah.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1993 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 12, 1992
Published online: May 1, 1993
Published in print: May 1993
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.