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..- "'~\~ lj(j\J Demonstration of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to Improve Crop Yields, Returns and Water Quality in the Arkl!nsas River Valley of Colorado Phase II REeF" .--. MAY 2 4 'lijfl'; eolorado," , Oonservation Baal;,) Progress Report April, 2000 Measurement of the four observation wells near the Holly Drain continue to be monitored and are being charted to determine the continuing effect of cleaning the Holly Drain on water table levels. Seven additional observation wells have been installed on a field of aIfuIfa adjacent to the John Allen residence. These wells are part of a project to monitor the effect of irrigation and possible ditch seepage on this field but the observed water table levels can also show the effect of the Holly Drain cleaning. Salinity mapping with a VERIS was done on several fields during March (See enclosed article). Dr. Gerald BoxIeiter of the USDA-ARS and his technicians were able to map several fields on the Jinnny Holmes, C.H. Fletcher, John Allen, Cory Thompson I and 2 and Paul Frank farms. Salinity levels varied from acceptable on the Paul Frank center pivot area to extremely saline on the Thompson 2 and Fletcher furms. Maps of each of the farms are being developed by the ARS and will hopefully be available by the June 6 informational meeting. Four observation wells were installed on the Biles Lateral being spaced approximately 0.5 miles apart and drilled to a depth of 10 feet. Automatic water level recorders are to be placed on each of the four wells and GPS readings on levels are to be monitored and reported. Liquid PAM, the linear-linked polyacrylamide, which is a soil stabilizer and flocculent has been furnished for the demonstration by CIBA Specialty. Granular PAM has been added to the water to flocculate the sediment and has reduced seepage from a dirt lateral up to 95% after the second year of application. Once water levels have been recorded for about one month, the flow in the lateral near each well at each of the stations will be measured and the difference in flow at each location will indicate the amount of seepage loss. PAM will then be added to the water just below the first station and, again, the flow at each station will be measured. The difference in the flow at the next three 0.5 mile stations before and after the application of PAM should indicate the effect of PAM on seepage losses. This procedure will be repeated three to four times during the year. An Oxion Air System was installed on the Jinnny Holmes center pivot. According the Oxion, Inc., "The Oxion Air System pumps atmospheric air through its patented Oxion cells, where the air is electrically ionized and broken down to the free radical form". Benefits include; "Improved water penetration, fewer clods and improved yields". Two areas each with treated and untreated water are to be compared on aIfuIfa. The PAM Com demonstration will be continued on the same Cory Thompson field as in 1999. The same areas will be treated with PAM and compared to the untreated areas. Irrigation amounts, runoff and yields will be compared.