Irrigation System, Sprinkler POLLUTANTS ADDRESSED: Nutrients and Organics, Salinity, Sediments
DESCRIPTION: A sprinkler system brings water efficiently and uniformly to the plants by means of nozzles operated under
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS: Sprinkler systems maintain adequate soil moisture for optimum plant growth without causing excessive water
pressure.
loss, erosion, and impairment of water quality.
LOAD REDUCTION MECHANISM: Nutrients/Organics Management- A sprinkler system spreads nutrients uniformly so that excessive amounts do not accumulate at various spots throughout the field. Salinity Reduction – Because an optimal amount of irrigation water is applied to fields, the buid-up of salts is reduced. Sediment Reduction – By applying the correct amount of water to the plants so that there is no surface runoff, sprinkler systems reduce sheet, gully and irrigation-induced erosion, reduced suspended sediments in surface water.
LAND USE CLASSIFICATION: Agricultural lands
Arid Southwest BMP
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POTENTIAL TREATMENT AREAS: Agricultural lands ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT MEASURES: Irrigation Pipeline Irrigation Water Management PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS: None
Irrigation System, Sprinkler POLLUTANTS ADDRESSED: Nutrients and Organics, Salinity, Sediments
Level 400: MODERATE ENGINEERING application rate under local climatic conditions and the maximum rate consistent with the intake rate of the soil and the conservation practices used on the land. If two or more sets of conditions are in the design area, the lowest maximum application rate for areas of significant size should apply.
LOAD REDUCTION POTENTIAL: LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
ESTIMATED TIME FOR LOAD REDUCTION: IMMEDIATE
MONTHS2 YEARS
> 2 YEARS
5. A combination of sprinkler spacing, nozzle sizes, and operating pressure that most nearly provides the design application rate and distribution should be selected. The velocity of prevailing winds and other conditions must be considered.
EXPECTED MAINTENANCE: LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
ESTIMATED COST: LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH Riparian Planting Zone: Upland Zone and Flood flows
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION: 1. Sprinkler irrigation designs are based on an evaluation of the site considering soil, topography, water supply, energy supply, crops to be grown, labor requirements, and expected operating conditions. 2. Sprinkler irrigation systems are a better choice for sandy soils. Conversely, if the soils are very slowly permeable (clayey), the site may not be well adapted to sprinkler irrigation due to excessive runoff and erosion. 3. The net depth of application should be based on the available moisture capacity of the soil in the root zone of the crop irrigated or a lesser amount consistent with the land user's operation plan. The gross depth is be determined by using field application efficiencies consistent with the conservation of water resources.
4. The design rate of application should be within a range established by the minimum practical Arid Southwest BMP
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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Conservation Practice Standard, Irrigation Land Leveling prepared for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ageng/irrigate/ae91.pdf