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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />the construction (water users or contractors). The other main factor in the timing ofTRS project <br />implementation is that the systems are generally installed when the land is idle between crops. <br /> <br />Since the TRSs are on private land and are managed by individual growers, they are consistent <br />with District rules. The only impact on lID operations will be the additional staff, perhaps three <br />persons, required to verify the conservation savings. In addition, lID would have to develop <br />minimum guidelines for an acceptable system, rules for operation, and a verification program. <br /> <br />IV.B.5 Land Forming <br />According to lID's Irrigation Management Unit, virtually all agricultural land served by the lID <br />has been laser leveled. The 1994-95 custom rate for laser leveling is $70 per acre. The County <br />Extension circulars include this cost only under land preparation for asparagus, cotton and <br />bermuda grass hay and seed. (Guidelines to Production Costs and Practices 1994-95. Vegetable <br />CrQps, Circular 104-V, University of California, Imperial County Cooperative Extension.) <br />Leveling is repeated periodically to maintain the desired slope. In addition, the fields may be <br />"floated" between crops. <br /> <br />Another technique of land forming is to shape the end of the field so the furrows and borders <br />slope upward at the end. In this way, the flow of water can be slowed at the end of the fields; <br />thereby reducing tailwater while maintaining good distribution uniformity. This is an untried <br />practice within the District and requires further study. The best study would be a pilot project in <br />a number of growers' fields on a variety of soils and cropping patterns. <br /> <br />IV.B.6 Additional Drip Irrigation <br />Drip irrigation applies irrigation water directly to crops through low flow rate outlets spaced at <br />short intervals along the row. Properly managed, drip irrigation systems conserve water by <br />applying very close to the crop water requirement, which reduces tailwater and evaporation <br />losses to nearly zero. The two main disadvantages of drip irrigation are high cost and potential <br />clogging problems with emitters. <br /> <br />Draft: Subject To Revision 12/21/95 <br /> <br />46 <br />