Irrigation and water conservation practices of surface-irrigated croplands in west and south regions of the U.S.

Authors: DATTA, SUMON - Oklahoma State University; TAGHVAEIAN, SALEH - University Of Nebraska; SIBLEY, MARTHA - Oklahoma State University; GHOLSON, DREW - Mississippi State University; LONG, MICHAEL - Oklahoma State University; BALI, KHALED - University Of California; ZACCARIA, DANELE - University Of California; CONGER, STACIA - Louisiana State University; RITCHIE, LIESEL - Virginia Tech

Submitted to: Journal of the ASABE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2025
Publication Date: 5/1/2025
Citation: Datta, S., Taghvaeian, S., Sibley, M., Gholson, D., Long, M., Bali, K., Zaccaria, D., Conger, S., Ritchie, L. 2025. Irrigation and water conservation practices of surface-irrigated croplands in west and south regions of the U.S.. Journal of the ASABE. 68(3):503-511. https://doi.org/10.13031/ja.16257.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/ja.16257

Interpretive Summary: In recent decades, the amount of land in the U.S. using surface irrigation, an older watering method for crops, has been declining. This is concerning because many farmers still rely on this method due to various agricultural and social factors. A recent survey explored current surface irrigation practices in two regions of the U.S.: the West, which primarily uses surface water, and the South, which mainly depends on groundwater. The survey uncovered important findings: while the regions shared many water conservation practices, their approaches varied slightly based on the source of their water and how it is distributed. Farmers noted that a key obstacle to adopting better water-saving strategies is a lack of financial resources and education, making it difficult for them to invest in new technologies. This research highlights the need for collaboration between government agencies, industries, and educational institutions to develop targeted financial support and educational programs. By addressing these needs, we can help farmers conserve water more effectively, ultimately contributing to the sustainability of agriculture in the face of ongoing climate challenges.

Technical Abstract: Surface (gravity) irrigated cropland area has been declining in the U.S. over the past three decades, going from about 10 million hectares in 1984 to 5 million hectares in 2018 for the 17 western states. Despite this drastic decline, a considerable area of irrigated cropland will remain under surface irrigation methods in the foreseeable future for different agricultural, geographical, and social reasons. Considering this fact and the generally lower on-farm application efficiencies of surface irrigation, a survey was conducted in two surface irrigation regions of the U.S. to investigate the common irrigation practices, the perceptions and approaches toward water conservation, and the drought response of surface irrigators. The difference in source of water (surface water in the West and groundwater in the South) was, not surprisingly, associated with differences in water conveyance and on-farm irrigation methods, as well as the type of water conservation measures implemented. The familiarity with and use of irrigation scheduling approaches were highly correlated. Water conservation measures were similar between the two regions. The small differences were mostly due to differences in water source and conveyance systems. When asked about the factors that help or hinder the adoption of water conservation measures in surface irrigation, farmers in both regions cited lack of financial resources (to pay for implementation or to compensate potential yield losses) and lack of education and training as the main factors. The findings focus light on the importance of region-specific coordinated financial and educational programs through enhanced collaboration among state/federal agencies, industries, and land-grant universities providing Extension opportunities to help surface irrigators and water managers in the U.S.