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<br />. . <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />from multiple sources and diversion points attempting to acquire an adequate <br /> <br />supply. It is estimated that the earthen ditches lose 30 to 50 percent of <br /> <br />the diverted water to seepage. <br /> <br />Snowmelt runoff, the primary source of water, provides sufficient, <br /> <br />almost inefficient, irrigation from May through late June as farmers attempt <br /> <br />to ,"soak the ground before the water is all gone." Some of the early water <br /> <br />is stored in several small reservoirs for late season use. But storage, <br /> <br />inadequate for full supply, usually is depleted by late August. Crop <br />yields, especially the orchard crops, could be increased by up to 15 percent <br />if irrigated through mid-September. <br />Some. indiVidual and some groups of farmers have installed irrigation <br /> <br />improvements using the limited financial assistance available. These people <br /> <br />report using one-third to one-half less water with their improved system and <br /> <br />irrigation practices. Similar improvements throughout the ,watershed could <br /> <br />reduc~ ditch seepage losses and extend the period of use for stored water <br /> <br />sufficient to provide the needed one or two additional irrigations in <br /> <br />September. Where possible private ditches could be combined and further <br /> <br />reduce the water lost through seepage. <br /> <br />In addition to extending the use of stored water, reduced seepage <br /> <br />losses will reduce the salt load carried from the watershed into the <br /> <br />Colorado River. <br /> <br />Alternative Solutions <br /> <br />Seepage losses can be reduced by installing impervious ditch lining or <br /> <br />pipelines. The topography is such that pipelines can develop gravit(l 0 2221 <br />pressure for sprinkler irrigation systems. <br /> <br />More efficient onfarm irrigation practice is needed to reduce deep <br /> <br />percolation due to excessive irrigation. Thus, the opportunity exists to <br /> <br />combine an onfarm improvement program with a program to improve the off-farm <br /> <br />conveyance system. <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />x. <br />