United States Department of Agriculture
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 Harvesting a field in Arkansas





Grand Prairie Irrigation Project

Project Overview

The Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer is the primary source of irrigation water for one of the major rice and soybean producing areas in the United States. Groundwater is being withdrawn at such a rate that the aquifer is in danger of being permanently damaged. Irrigation wells are failing. Loss of rice and soybean production in this area would result in severe economic and social repercussions to the local, state, and national economies.

The recommended plan consists of installation of a water delivery system and on-farm conservation practices throughout the project area. The delivery system will consist of new canals, existing streams, and new pipelines. Water will be pumped from the White River into the delivery system and transported to individual farms. The withdrawal from the river will be limited to that amount determined to be in excess of fish, wildlife, navigation, and other riparian needs.

On-farm conservation practices will consist of storage reservoirs, pipelines, water control structures, and tailwater recovery systems. On-farm storage reservoirs will be constructed on individual farms, will generally be enclosed by levees, and will be filled by pumping. The reservoirs will be filled during later winter and early spring from natural runoff captured through the tailwater recovery systems or from the delivery system when natural runoff is inadequate.

During the cropping season, water will be supplied to the crops from natural runoff captured by tailwater recovery systems, the delivery system, reservoirs, and wells.

Project Area

The Grand Prairie Project area covers parts of Arkansas, Lonoke, Monroe, and Prairie counties. The project area is approximately 50 miles in length and averages about 15 miles wide with Stuttgart being located near the center.

Project Costs

The total project cost is $270,512,000 (October 1996 price level). Project costs for the on-farm portion are estimated to be $68,584,000, which is included in the total project costs.

Status of the Project

No construction has taken place on the Grand Prairie project; however, the planning phase is complete. The Corps of Engineers has approximately eight million dollars set aside for the implementation of the project subject to the formation of the local district. That money will provide the land owners with a 65% cost share on the construction of reservoirs and implementation of conservation practices. Currently the NRCS is in the process of designing the on-farm plans.

If you live in the Grand Prairie Area and would like more information about joining the White River Irrigation District write to: White River Irrigation Office; PO Box 498; Stuttgart AR 72160; or call 1-870-673-8836.

Additional Information

Last Modified: 07/07/2006

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