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<br />4. Encourage use of waste collection and reuse systems. <br /> <br />Early consideration should be given to locating supplemental sources <br />of irrigation water supplies for the areas with decl ining water levels, <br />particularly the Alliance area and the upper Big and Little Blue River <br />Basins. <br /> <br />Application of Irriqation Water <br /> <br />Improvement In applying water to crops can be accomplished best by <br />conducting a continuing educational program. Such a program should <br />Include, but not be limited to, measures and methods to improve the <br />effective application and use of irrigation water such as: <br /> <br />1. Reshaping lands to grades or instal ling sprinkler systems <br />for more even distribution of water on lands, <br /> <br />2. Lining farm supply laterals or instal ling closed conduits <br />to reduce distribution losses, <br /> <br />3. Instal ling measures to collect, store and transport tall <br />water for reuse, and <br /> <br />4. Managing water applications for efficient crop use and to <br />hold erosion losses to a minimum. <br /> <br />Opportunities for Additional Irriqation Development <br /> <br />Irrigating one acre of land adds over $300 annually to the economy <br />of the State. This Includes both the Increase in agricultural production <br />and the business activity generated by Irrigation. In addition, irri- <br />gation assists in stabilizing the agricultural economy by reducing <br />hazards arising from the variations in quantities and timeliness of <br />precipitation. This Is affirmed by the number of irrigation facility <br />instal lations occurring during and immediately following drouth periods. <br /> <br />Land Aval lability <br /> <br />About 19,200,000 acres of land In the State have sol Is that are <br />suitable for irrigation (Land Inventory, Appendix Al. This is slightly <br />over 40 percent of the agrIcultural land In the State. About 7,000,000 <br />acres have sol Is capable of sustained irrigated crop production under <br />good Irrigation and conservation management (Type Al. An additional <br />4,300,000 acres have soi Is with hazards that require moderately intensive <br />irrigation and conservation management for sustained use (Type Bl. The <br />balance, 7,900,000 acres, comprises soi Is with restricted crop adaptabi Ilty <br />which usually require Intensive irrigation and conservation management <br />or major development (Types C & Dl. <br /> <br />43 <br />