WSP05341

• File Number: 8278.100
• Description: Title I - Yuma Desalting Plant
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 12/23/1992
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Yuma Desalting Plant - Alternatives for the Interim Period
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

On-farm Improvements Program

The objective of this program was to increase on-farm irrigation
efficiencies by improving on-farm irrigation systems and management
practices. SCS provided design, installation, and management assistance
for approximately 48,000 acres of land. Significant accomplishments
included lining 263 miles of on-farm canals; land leveling on
44,415 acres; making soil improvements on more than 3,000 acres; and
installing 10 drip irrigation systems and 10,600 on-farm water-control
and measurement structures. The Federal Government contributed
75 percent of the costs; farm cooperators contributed the other
25 percent.

Irrigation Management Services Program

Reclamation provided technical assistance through the Irrigation
Management Services (IMS) program, which in turn provided on-farm,
field-by-fie1d irrigation scheduling assistance. From 1974 through
1986, irrigation scheduling information was furnished for about
49,000 acres of crops annually. Reclamation provided technical
expertise, training, and funding for the program. The WMIDD provided
one district employee and office facilities at the district.
Reclamation funding for the IMS program ended in 1987.

Research and Demonstration Program

Six projects were funded under this program, which provided information
on cultural practices, .equipment, and economic considerations that could
lead to improved irrigation efficiencies. Projects included monitoring
soil salinity, studying emitter clogging in trickle irrigation systems,
managing pressure irrigation systems for citrus crops, managing dead-
level irrigation, automating surface irrigation, and evaluating
alternative irrigation systems. All projects were completed by 1980.

Education and Information Program

The objectives of this program, conducted by the University of Arizona
Cooperative Extension Service, were to (I) provide liaison among the
various irrigation efficiency programs; and (2) educate growers and
encourage them to adopt recommended techniques and practices. Program
information was provided through publications, television, and radio.

With grower cooperation, field trials were held to demonstrate water
management benefits, and field days were conducted on topics such as
automated irrigation systems, irrigation scheduling, and efficiency and
crop consumptive use.

Results

Before the program was initiated, WMIDD irrigation efficiency was
56 percent, and drainage pumping was in excess of 200,000 af per year.
When the program was active, an overall peak irrigation efficiency of
77 percent was reached in 1985, and irrigation drainage dropped from

9