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r.. '.'''~ (\t '..~ ,':) of which 404,000 acres are cropland. See maps figures 1 and 2. ,_..... \.---' Description of Center Pivot Irrigation Systems Typically a centeT pivot system in the San Luis Valley irrigates about 130 acres in the circular area and leaves about six acres in each. corner (total 24 acres per quarter section area). If irrigated, several methods are used to manage the corners. The most cOllllllOn method is to use surface water fr,om a ditch which generally runs along the west or south sides of the field. Water is diverted from the ditches into the northwest and southwest corners and, then, using a series of dikes, the water is diverted overland downhill to the southeast and northeast corners. Some operators use gated pipe or disposable polyethelene pipe. Gated pipe is generally considered uneconomical for corner irrigation. Nuflex pipe has been, used for potatoes and cuts the water requirement in half. It has not been used effectively on barley, however. Several systems have been developed for extending water to the corners from the center sprinkler system. An earlier system had end nozzles and increased the pressure while passing the corner areas. This system, however, lacked popularity because the increased pressure caused equipment failure and increased the pumping cost due to the increase in effective well head brought about through the additional pressure. Another system currently being installed in several locations in the. valley maintains an extended trailing boom guided by a wire around the corners. This latter system will irrigate about 150 acres per quarter section with a loss of about one acre per corner. (An average of about - 6 -