Program Area: Irrigation Water Management
Situation and Objectives
Irrigated agriculture is a major user of the nation’s ground and surface water resources, accounting for 80 to 90% of overall water consumption. States in the Southern Region are challenged to maintain available, high-quality water supplies in a region encompassing 19 million irrigated acres. In addition to agricultural water consumption, vast amounts of water are used for residential, municipal and golf course irrigation. As demand for water grows, there is increasing economic, social and environmental urgency for improved irrigation water management and efficiency. The objective of this Program is to improve irrigation water management to reduce water use through a coordinated effort that addresses the research and educational needs of irrigators and water managers throughout the region.
Products
- Maintenance Guide for Microirrigation Systems in the Southern Region
The intent of this guide is to help micro-irrigation system managers and operators keep their systems running at top efficiency, which will improve crop production and conserve water resources. - Field Devices for Monitoring Soil Water Content
Measuring and monitoring soil water status is an essential component of BMPs to conserve water and improve water quality. This paper describes the currently available range of methods to measure and monitor soil water content. - A Simple Flow Measuring Device for Farms
Provides guidance for construction and operation of a simple water measuring device for water flow in open channels and small streams. - Water Whiz Quizzes - Short, fun quizzes that teach about water and health, water use around the house, and agricultural water use.
Impacts
Enhanced regional and multi-agency collaboration; increased knowledge and understanding of improved irrigation water management practices; reduced irrigation water use and/or increased production yields through improved efficiency; decreased competition for water by identifying alternative water supplies, encouraging water re-use, and promoting water-conserving system designs; reduced contaminant loading to surface and ground waters.
For information on additional Land Grant University programs and research in Southern Region states addressing irrigation water management, return to the home page, select a state and choose from Target Themes.