Ground-Water Development: A Symposium: Irrigation Aspects

The advantages of coordinated use of surface and ground water for irrigation have not been fully realized in the planning and operation of irrigation projects. Because of transit losses, farm waste, and deep percolation, only about 50% of the water diverted from streams is used by crops. Significant quantities are commonly used nonbeneficially in poorly drained areas or along natural stream channels. There are cited herein the advantages of ground-water pumping to reduce losses, to prevent or reduce drainage problems, and to irrigate additional lands where the water is of suitable quality and aquifer characteristics are favorable for the development of large-capacity wells.