Public Irrigation Systems in Puerto Rico

General information is presented concerning the circumstances and conditions under which public irrigation in Puerto Rico has evolved and the role it plays in the island's agricultural and economic development. Emphasis is placed on a number of operation and maintenance problems encountered in the administration of three public irrigation systems. Farm sizes, land tenure and farm irrigation methods and practices are described. The experience acquired in the control of aquatic and emergent weed growth in irrigation canals by chemical means is analyzed together with the methods used in the application of Aqualin, Dalapon and Sylvex herbicides. Reference is made to a program for maintenance of dams established with technical assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Reservoir sedimentation and the consequent loss of storage and water control capacity in the South Coast irrigation system are also analyzed with alternate solutions studied.