Notes to the Teacher
Title: Guest Speaker: Water Specialist
Lesson: Irrigation Practices
Classroom Activity
Purpose:
There are many things that agriculturists may do to reduce the likelyhood of lowering the quality
of their irrigation water. It is the job of water specialists to assist farmers and other members of
your community to keep local water sources free of contaminants. This activity will familiarize
you with the job of water specialists, and introduce to you methods of keeping your water supply
free of contaminants.
Activity Directions:
A guest speaker will be with you today. The speaker will be talking to you about the water you
drink and use in your home, as well as the water which is used commercially.
Start to think of some questions which you would like ask him/her. As you think of questions,
write them on the back of this paper or the worksheet page.
Material Needed:
1. Guest speaker.
2. The attached worksheet.
Notes to teacher:
A recommendation for this lesson is to invite a water specialist from your local irrigation district
or water department to talk with your students about the current concerns of your community,
region and state on water quality.
You may also take the students to the speaker's worksite, if possible.
Attached is a worksheet which has sample questions for the students to ask the speaker.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
355.1
Name:__________________
Date:___________________
Title: Guest Speaker: Water Specialist
Lesson: Irrigation Practices
Classroom Activity
Purpose:
There are many things that agriculturists may do to reduce the likelyhood of lowering the quality
of their irrigation water. It is the job of water specialists to assist farmers and other members of
your community to keep local water sources free of contaminants. This activity will familiarize
you with the job of water specialists, and introduce to you methods of keeping your water supply
free of contaminants.
Activity Directions:
A guest speaker will be with you today. The speaker will be talking to you about the water you
drink and use in your home, as well as the water which is used commercially.
Start to think of some questions which you would like ask him/her. As you think of questions,
write them on the back of this paper or the worksheet page.
Material Needed:
1. Guest speaker.
2. The attached worksheet.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
355.2
Name:__________________
Date:___________________
Title: Guest Speaker: Water Specialist
Lesson: Irrigation Practices
Classroom Activity Worksheet
The following are some questions which you may ask the visiting water specialist. You may add
your own questions on the back of this page.
1. Where does our drinking water come from?
2. How much of the water that is used by our town/city is used by agricultural operations such
as crops and dairy operations?
3. Where is our drinking water stored?
4. How is the water pressure for the town/city maintained?
5. Is our water free? If not, who receives the money from the payments for water?
6. What is the money that is generated from water payments used for?
7. Are chemicals added to our water? Why?
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
355.3
8. What kinds of chemicals are in our water?
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
355.4
Lesson: Irrigation Practices
Bank of Questions
1. Question:
Answer:
List three of the five major factors which farmers should consider before
leasing or buying cropland.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Texture and depth of the soil.
Presence of gravel or impermeable layers within six feet of the surface.
Presence of soluble salts and their concentrations.
Behavior of soil under irrigation.
E. Topography of the soil surface.
2. Question:
____% of U.S. irrigation water comes from well water?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer:
3. Question:
Answer:
4. Question:
Answer:
10%
15%
20%
25%
C. 20%
List and describe three ways which water quality affects the type of crop
grown and/or irrigation method used.
A. The presence of salts in the water may cause the soil to develop
undesirable soil texture.
B. High concentrations of salts may retard plant growth.
C. Organic matter and other suspended solids may cause blockages in drip
irrigation emitters.
Discuss the benefits of proper soil drainage.
A. Drainage may add to the overall soil volume available to the crops' root
zone.
B. Drainage encourages the flushing of salts.
C. Drainage may lower the water table which in turns encourages roots to
grow
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
355.5
more deeply.
D. Soil aeration, microbial activity, and fertilizer efficiency are all improved
by
the soil. These things contribute to a more healthy, alive soil.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
355.6