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DEMONSTRATION OF IRRIGATION RETURN FLOW WATER QUALITY CONTROL IN THE MESILLA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
Citation:
Lansford, R., P. Wierenga, T. Sammis, AND B. Creel. DEMONSTRATION OF IRRIGATION RETURN FLOW WATER QUALITY CONTROL IN THE MESILLA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-82/071.
Description:
A 182-ha operating farm was used to demonstrate the water pollution control benefits of implementing improved irrigation management techniques and structures. The commodity crops produced on the farm included wheat, tomatoes, cotton, lettuce, peppers, chiles, grain sorghum, and alfalfa. Improved water management in furrow, sprinkle, and trickle irrigation methods were evaluated. Economic analyses of alternative management practices were made for Mesilla Valley based on results from the demonstration farm. The use of irrigation scheduling could reduce irrigation return flows by 30 to 36% and salt loading by 38,000-42,000 tons annually. A combination of irrigation scheduling, sprinkler irrigation for germination and furrow irrigation for production gave the highest net returns to land and risk of all combinations assessed.