WSP00944

• File Number: 8407
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 3/1/1982
• Author: Arthur D Little Inc
• Title: Six State High Plains-Ogallala Aquifer Regional Resources Study - Study Element B-3 - Agricultural and Water Use Management and Technology Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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topographic, climatic or environmental considerations which would signifi-
cantly influence geographic applicability, 7) impacts on local water supply
or water demand characteristics, 8) relationship to specific irrigation
methods, farm management methods, or other customary methods which might
effect the application of conservation/efficiency practices, 9) probable
need for incentive(s), and 10) governmental actions that might be required.

BASIC CONCEPTS AND OBJECTIVES

There are two principal means for achieving reduced unit demands for
water in irrigated agriculture: 1) reducing nonrecoverable water losses
through lower rates of transpiration from crops and/or evaporation from soil,
plant or water surfaces, and 2) increasing the efficiencies of water use in
diversion, conveyance and application of irrigation waters (the reduction of
recoverable losses). The broad concepts of agricultural water conservation
and agricultural water (irrigation) use efficiencies encompass all those
methods, practices, management decisions and technologies which can be used
to effectuate either reduced unit water demand or conservation of agri-
cultural waters. An explanation and definition of these concepts, along with
those of recoverable and nonrecoverable losses, and other basic terms and
concepts as used in this Report is provided in the Glossary.

Irrigation serves to supplement natural precipitation and, in concert
with other input factors, permits the optimization of agricultural production
(biomass). The main objective of good irrigation management and water use is
to apply the water needed for optimum production at the right time and in the
proper quantities, while minimizing unproductive water uses or losses.
Waste and inefficiencies occur mainly from over applications which result in
surface runoff, excessive percolation below the effective root zone of crops,
excessive evaporation and other losses.

The concept of "water losses" in irrigated agriculture requires careful
consideration and definition. A distinction and classification of irrigation
water losses as "recoverable" or "nonrecoverable", from the work of Dr.
Robert M. Hagan and Dr. David C. Davenport at the University of California at
Davis, has more utility and meaning to irrigated agriculture than does the
more traditional concept of consumptive and nonconsumptive use.

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