WSP04429

• File Number: 8112.600
• Description: Arkansas White Red Basins Interagency Committee - AWRBIAC -- Reports
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 10/1/1951
• Title: Report of Present Irrigation Development and Potentially Irrigable Areas in the Red and Arkansas River Basins - Texas 1950
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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In making an inventory of potential irrigation developments from
graund waters it is necessary to make certain assumptions in regard to
economic and engineering feasibility.

For an ultimate potential we assume that where water and soil are
available, crops and markets will be available to sustain an irrigated
agriculture at some future date. In contrast we assume that ground water
can be procured at rates limited by well development and pumping procedures
now in use. Because of the preponderence of deep soils on smooth gentle
slopes in relation to existing ground water supplies, land areas hav:l. ng
steep bro~en topography or very shallow soils have not been considered as
potentially irrigable areas. All ground waters are assumed to be suitable
for use unless definite information is available as to the presence of
harmful mineral concentrations in the water.

I. Red River Basin Above Head of Lake Texoma

A. High Plains Portion

A large portion of the water supply which is available from
depths of less than 200 feet in quantities in excess of 500 gallons per
minute has been developed for irrigation use in this area. However, the
land area having characteristics suitable for irrigation development is
considerably in excess of the present water supply.

If it becomes feasible to lift water from depths in excess of
200 feet there is a sizeable area in Carson and Gray Counties which has a
potential for irrigation development. There are also weak water supplies
(less than 500 g.p.m.) in portions of Potter, Randall, Carson, and Armstrong
Counties, some of which is available at depths of 100 to 200 feet.

B. Portion Below the High Plains

The ground waters in this area are limited in extent and usually
available at rates of less than 500 gallons per minute. The major ~reas
for potential development occur in Donley, CollingSworth, Childress,
Hardeman, Foard, Wilbarger, Ylichita, Clay, Montague, and Cook Counties with
some possible very limited development in Hemphill, Wheeler, Knox, and
Baylor Counties.

Some of the waters in this area are highly mineralized and are
either unsuited for use or should be used with extreme caution. The quality
of the waters varies considerably between adjacent wells and therefore
cannot be classified on a broad scale.

II. Red River Basin Below Head of Lake Texoma

Because of humid climatic conditions prevalent in this area any
irrigation development will be of a supplemental nature or for very
speciali~ed crops such as rice, strawberries, and off-season truck crops.

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