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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #153133
Title: STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE IN IRRIGATED AGRAICULTURE THROUGH IMPROVED IRRIGATION.

Author
item HANSON, BLAINE - UC DAVIS
item Ayars, James

Submitted to: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Systems
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2002
Publication Date: 3/1/2003
Citation: Irrigation and Drainage Systems 16: 261-277, 2002.

Interpretive Summary: The traditional approach of installing subsurface drainage systems to solve shallow ground water problems is not feasible along the west side of the San Joaquin Valley of California because of the lack of drain water disposal methods that are economical, technically feasible, and environmentally friendly. Thus, options such as drainage reduction through improved irrigation and drain water reuse are being examined as methods for coping with the subsurface drainage problem. This paper discusses options for reducing subsurface drainage through improved irrigation practices. Options are discussed for improving irrigation system design such as upgrading existing irrigation methods and converting to systems with higher potential irrigation efficiencies. Methods for improving water management are also presented. Case studies on upgrading existing systems or converting to other irrigation methods are presented along with study results of the effect of various policies on reducing subsurface drainage.

Technical Abstract: The traditional approach of installing subsurface drainage systems to solve shallow ground water problems is not feasible along the west side of the San Joaquin Valley of California because of the lack of drain water disposal methods that are economical, technically feasible, and environmentally friendly. Thus, options such as drainage reduction through improved irrigation and drain water reuse are being examined as methods for coping with the subsurface drainage problem. This paper discusses options for reducing subsurface drainage through improved irrigation practices. Options are discussed for improving irrigation system design such as upgrading existing irrigation methods and converting to systems with higher potential irrigation efficiencies. Methods for improving water management are also presented. Case studies on upgrading existing systems or converting to other irrigation methods are presented along with study results of the effect of various policies on reducing subsurface drainage.