Post on 02-Jan-2016
Irrigation
R. Nolan ClarkUSDA-Agricultural Research ServiceBushland, TX
Top 10 States - Irrigated AcresState USDA USGS
California 8,139,834 10,100,000
Nebraska 5,692,215 7,820,000
Texas 5,237,584 6,490,000
Arkansas 4,043,382 4,510,000
Idaho 3,188,406 3,750,000
Colorado 2,942,230 3,400,000
Kansas 2,650,486 3,310,000
Montana 1,740,873 1,720,000
Florida 1,613,719 2,060,000
Washington 1,554,813 1,570,000
Source of Water
Wells49%
Off-farm40%
Surface11%
Irrigation Water Use (ac-ft)
State USDA USGS
California 25,153,495 34,200,000
Texas 7,473,880 9,680,000
Idaho 6,030,447 19,100,000
Arkansas 5,516,603 8,870,000
Colorado 5,052,612 12,800,000
Nebraska 4,975,330 9,860,000
Arizona 4,117,652 6,060,000
Kansas 3,589,226 4,160,000
Washington 3,364,585 3,400,000
Oregon 3,255,501 6,810,000
Application Rate (ac-ft/ac)State USDA USGS
Arizona 4.7 6.2
California 3.1 3.4
Washington 2.2 2.2
Oregon 2.1 3.1
Idaho 1.9 5.1
Colorado 1.7 3.8
Arkansas 1.4 2.0
Kansas 1.4 1.3
Texas 1.4 1.5
Nebraska 0.9 1.3
The Ogallala Aquifer
Total Irrigated AcresCensus of Agriculture
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Colorado Kansas New Mexico Oklahoma Texas
States
Irri
gat
ed A
cres
(m
illio
n a
c)
1979
1988
1994
1998
Sprinkler
Applications
SurfaceApplications
Efficiencies of Irrigation Methods
Irrigation Method
Typical
Efficiency
Water Application Needed to Add
4 inches To Root Zone
Water Savings Over
Conventional Furrow
(percent) (inches) (percent)
Conventional Furrow
60 6.7
Furrow with Surge Valve
80 5.0 25
Low-Pressure Sprinkler
80 5.0 25
LEPA Sprinkler
90- 95 4.2 37
Drip 95 4.2 37
Method of Distribution
Sprinkler44%
Gravity51%
Sub-irrigation1%Drip
4%
Colorado
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
Sprinkler Gravity flow Drip or trickle Subirrigation
Irrigation Method
Acr
eage
(in
mill
ion
s)
1979198819941998
Texas
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
Sprinkler Gravity flow Drip or trickle Subirrigation
Irrigation Method
Acr
eage
(in
mill
ion
s)
1979
1988
1994
1998
5%
1%
75%
19%
Diesel Gasoline Electric LP or Natural Gas
Colorado, Percent by Acres
75%
10%
15%
Diesel Gasoline Electric LP or Natural Gas
Kansas, Percent of Acres
35%
1%
30%
34%
Diesel Gasoline Electric LP or Natural Gas
Texas, Percent by Acres
Colorado
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Diesel Gas Elec Propane Nat Gas
Power Unit Type
Ave
rage
Pu
mp
ing
Acr
es
1979
1988
1994
1998
Texas
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Diesel Gas Elec Propane Nat Gas
Power Unit Type
Ave
rage
Pu
mp
ing
Acr
es 1979
1988
1994
1998
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Required E
nerg
y -
kW
hrs
(m
illions)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Win
d E
nerg
y A
vailable
- k
Whrs
/m^2
JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSepOctNovDec
Irrigation Energy Needed
Wind Energy Available
Irrigation Energy Needed &Wind Energy Available (1997-2000)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 A
vg. Ir
rigation W
ate
r N
eeded -
inches
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Win
d E
nerg
y A
vailable
- k
Whrs
/m^2
JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSepOctNovDec
Corn Cotton
Wheat Wind Energy
Irrigation Water Needed &Wind Energy Available
Powering Electric Pumps
• Average size 40-50 kW
• Existing electric grid 480V, 3-phase
• Issues:– Market for off-season electric power– Meeting peak demand in summer
Powering Gas/Diesel Pumps
• Average size 120-140 kW
• Existing electric grid 120-240V, single-phase
• Issues:– Weak grid for excess power generated– Stand-by generator to meet peak demand
in summer