Description and Evaluation of Zigzag Furrow Irrigation in the Inter-Andean Valleys of Bolivia
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 141, Issue 11
Abstract
Surface irrigation is the main irrigation system used in the inter-Andean valleys of Bolivia. However, the region’s steep terrain precludes the use of conventional surface irrigation methods. Zigzag corrugated furrows, the most widely used irrigation method in the region, have proved suitable for the local conditions and are environmentally sound as they substantially reduce soil loss from water erosion. Satisfactory water management, however, appears to be lacking so our paper aims to study water use and suggest improvements. The experimental field work was carried out in Cebollullo, a rural community 2,780 m above sea level located southeast of the city of La Paz. The characteristics of the furrows vary with crop type and soil (class and slope). Lettuce crops grown in an experimental plot with an average slope of 16.46% were studied. The plot was irrigated a total of 21 times at 2–3 days intervals and the effects of 10 of the irrigation events were evaluated taking weekly measurements during each event. Advance curves were constructed from data obtained at 16 measurement points. Advance and recession times, as well as inflow and outflow rates were determined on the basis of measurements made a 5-min intervals. Inflow rates at some measurement points were found to vary widely due to the indiscriminate use of water by farmers upstream of the experimental plot. Advance curves were found to be linear rather than potential or exponential as is usually the case with this type of irrigation system. Also, advance and recession curves were virtually parallel, which indicates uniform infiltrated volumes along the furrows. The average water application efficiency, surface runoff, and deep percolation loss for the 10 irrigation events examined were 17.47, 68.36, and 14.17%, respectively. Based on these results, the zigzag furrow irrigation system in the area investigated in the research reported in this paper would appear to be badly managed and implemented.
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Acknowledgments
The research reported in this paper was supported by the Establishment of the Training and Research Center in Sustainable Management of Water and Irrigation in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions (FISAR) project, funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and managed by the University of Cordoba (Cordoba, Spain) and the University Mayor de San Andrés (La Paz, Bolivia).
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Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 141 • Issue 11 • November 2015
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 21, 2014
Accepted: Feb 6, 2015
Published online: Apr 15, 2015
Discussion open until: Sep 15, 2015
Published in print: Nov 1, 2015
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