Soil and Nutrient Losses from Small Sprinkler and Furrow Irrigated Watersheds in Southern Idaho

Bjorneberg, D.L. and King, B.A. and Nelson, Nathan and Lee, J.H. (2009) Soil and Nutrient Losses from Small Sprinkler and Furrow Irrigated Watersheds in Southern Idaho. In: 2009 Annual International Irrigation Show. USA-TX-San Antonio, 2009/12/02-04.

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Abstract

Sediment and associated nutrients flowing to the Snake River with furrow irrigation runoff and unused irrigation water have been a concern in the Twin Falls irrigation tract in southern Idaho. Converting furrow irrigated fields to sprinkler irrigation is one practice that has been promoted, and received financial assistance, to reduce sediment loss. Five small watersheds (330 to 1480 acres) with 10 to 70% sprinkler irrigation were monitored from 2005 to 2008 to determine if converting to sprinkler irrigation reduced sediment and nutrient losses from these watersheds. Eliminating runoff from furrow irrigated fields by converting to sprinkler irrigation will reduce sediment and nutrient losses from fields. However, there were no significant correlations between the amount of sprinkler irrigation and the sediment or nutrient loads from these watersheds. Potential reasons for these results are the flow rate allocation system used by the TFCC, the amount and location of furrow irrigated fields in each watershed, and the management of furrow irrigated fields within each watershed. One significant correlation was decreasing dissolved phosphorus concentrations as relative amount of sprinkler irrigated land increased, presumably because less water flowed across fields in furrows as sprinkler irrigated area increased. A water quality model for irrigated watersheds is needed for more thorough assessment of the variety conditions and management practices within these watersheds.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Other)
NWISRL Publication Number:	1544
Subjects:	Irrigation > Furrow irrigation > Runoff losses Irrigation > Furrow irrigation > Percolation water > Nutrient losses Irrigation > Furrow irrigation > Runoff losses > Nutrients Irrigation > Furrow irrigation > Runoff losses > Sediment
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	16 Mar 2015 19:48
Last Modified:	21 Jul 2015 21:01
Item ID:	1587
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/1587