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<br />3372 <br /> <br />As noted in Land C1assilication - Factor 3. most of the irrigated lands in IID have very <br />flat land topography, Crop types and soil types (panicularly areas of tight. clay soils wllh <br />low water infiltration rates) arc suited to use of surface (gravity) irrigation systems (SCS, <br />USDA, 1981), Surface (gravity) ilTigation systems in lID generally consist of sloping <br />border strips and furrows (JensenNialter 1997, p. 34). The experts retained by lID, <br />CVWD, and MWD generally agree that these are the conditions that currently exist <br />within lID. <br /> <br />Franzoy, Reclamation'5 irrigation system consultant, reported that there is water <br />conservation potential through use of improved irrigation systems such as: land leveling <br />and grading to reduce eXisting slopes, linear move sprinkler systems, and the use of drip <br />irrigation (Franzoy 2003. pp. 12-18). <br /> <br />Others conlirm Franzoy's conclusion of the potential application of improved irrigation, <br />See, e.g,. MET: Payne and Brown, 2003, which describes seventeen on-fann <br />conservation practices that could reduce tailwatcr losses without adversely impacting <br />crop yields in lID. Those conservation measures were selected from Best Management <br />Practices publications of pub lic agencies, files of irrigation engineers and consultants, <br />and personal OIl-farm experiences of Payne and Brown. CVWD concurs that tailwater <br />management approaches are feasible (WAC, May 2003, pp. 129-135). <br /> <br />These views are contrasted with views expressed by lID. The DistTict contends improved <br />irrigation systems are either not workable or too costly. In the 2002 NRCE report (NRCE <br />2002, p. IJ-l 5), NRCE states the cropping conditions and soil conditions limit the <br />applicability of drip irrigation. NRCE also states that the naturally flat topography <br />requires little or no major land leveling. <br /> <br />While it is true that the application of certain types of irrigation systems is limited, it IS <br />Illappropriate to conclude that signi ficant additional OIl- farm irrigation sy.;tem <br />improvements are not possible. Matching appropriate improvements for each <br />combination of crop and soil types has proven beneficial to reducing water delivery <br />requirements in both clay and sandy soil environments. Reclamation concludes that <br />Ulere are no distinguishing differences that would limit the applicability of these <br />approaches in lID and that specific improvements should be undertaken. ReclamatIOn's <br />reconunendations in this regard are discussed in more detail in Section IV, which <br />contains Reclamation's Part 4 J 7,3 water conservation recommendations. <br /> <br />FACTOR 8. METHODS OF IRRIGATION OF THE WATER USl<:RS <br /> <br />Part 417.3 identi lies the methods of irrigation of the water users as a factor to be <br />analyzed. Irrigation methods include a wide variety of water and OIl- fann irrigation <br />management practices and techniques exercised by the agricultural produceI'. <br /> <br />July 2, 2003 <br /> <br />21 <br /> <br />Detenninations and Recommendations <br />For lID - Calendar Year 2003 <br />