Irrigation Water Management

Suggested Objectives

1.List the requirements of a water management plan as it pertains to irrigation, frost protection, and related uses.
2.Analyze resources, design data, and field and system evaluation data and incorporate this data into a water management plan.
3.Present the water management plan and recommendations to the irrigator/landuser in such a manner that they will understand and accept both the plan and the benefits.

Suggested Outline

1. Introduction
2. Body
   1. Data Gathering
      1. Field and crop data
      2. Soils data
      3. Monthly and peak daily consumptive use
      4. Management allowed soil moisture depletion
      5. Irrigation scheduling method\
      6. Soil moisture monitoring method
      7. Irrigation application amount, timing and rate
   2. Develop procedures and alternative plans
   3. Example worksheets
   4. Document cultural practices
   5. Applicable practice standards
   6. Conclusions and Recommendations
3. Summary

 

• The purpose of this course is to provide a basic awareness of water management concepts and the impacts of water management decisions in order to provide quality technical assistance.
• It is intended to enhance the technical knowledge of NRCS personnel and their colleagues in both the private and public sector.
• The information can be used to assist you in helping landowners effectively plan and implement conservation practices to better manage and conserve our natural resources.

Basic Water Management Course

 

• Lesson Plan “Irrigation Water Management Plan”, NRCS
• Lesson Plan “QT=DA”, NRCS, Nebraska
• Lesson Plan “Planning and Applying Conservation Practices”, NRCS
• Lesson Plan “USDA-SCS Fact Sheets”, NRCS
• Lesson Plan “Measuring the Flow From the Water Source”, NRCS
• Lesson Plan “IWM Conservation Irrigation Farm Plans”, NRCS xii (Rev. 2/98)
• Lesson Plan “IWM Sample Plan”, NRCS
• Lesson Plan “IWM Sample Plan Blank”, NRCS
• Lesson Plan “IWM Samples, Modified Blaney-Criddle Consumptive Use Computations”, NRCS

• Video 018 “Irrigation Management”, Oklahoma State University
  
• Video 019 “Irrigation Energy Conservation”, Oklahoma State University (32:12)
• Video 020 “Micro Irrigation Management”, Richard J. Salty Productions, Burbank, CA (55:03)
  
• Video 021 “Introduction to Ground Water Quality Improvements in Irrigated Agriculture”, University of Nebraska (7:37)
• Video 022 “How Chemicals Move Through Soil”, University of Arizona/NRCS (22:07)

Colorado

• Extension Document “Nitrogen and Irrigation Management”; Colorado State University Extension; Crop Series– Soil no. 0.514.
• Extension Document “Crop Water Use and Growth Stages”; Colorado State University Extension; Crop Series– Irrigation no. 4.715.
• Extension Document “Limited Irrigation Management: Principles and Practices”; Colorado State University Extension; Crop Series– Irrigation no. 4.720.