WSP11785

• File Number: 8276.100
• Description: Grand Valley Unit-Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 3/11/1976
• Title: Report to CWCB Concerning Salinity Measurements at the Davis Farm - Palisade CO
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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soil profile remained essentially the same. From the conclusion of the

irrigation period to October 1, the concentrations of salt rose slightly

from their levels observed during the irrigation period. The salt

concentrations in the profile generally increased with depth throughout

the observation period.

Figure 2 shows the averaged data for the salinity measurements obtained

from the furrow irrigated field. The times of the irrigations are denoted

on the graph as bars along the X-axis. After each irrigation, the salt

content rose in the first foot and decreased in the other three depths.

As the profile dried somewhat, the reverse effect took place. The salt

content rose in each soil depth after September 2. In general, the

salt content decreased as soil depth increased.

Conclusions:

The drip irrigation system appears to be effective in reducing the

salt concentration along the tree line as would be expected_ This effect

has been noted by other researchers investigating salt concentrations

under drip systems in citrus orchards in California. In addition, this

type of irrigation system maintained a lower level of salt in the profile

than did the furrow irrigated system throughout the growing season which

would seem to be beneficial to the tree.

In contrast to the above, the furrow irrigated system tended to

produce a higher concentration of salt in the upper portion of the soil

profile throughout the growing season. However, at the 4-foot depth of

the profile, the salt concentrations under both irrigation systems appeared

to be quite similar_

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