IRRIGATION
IN
MONTANA
MOST
SYSTEMS
IN PLACE
FOR
MANY
YEARS
SURFACE IRRIGATION TYPES
• WILD FLOODING
• CONTOUR DITCH
• BORDERS
• FURROWS
PERMANENT CROPS
STEEP SLOPES, LITTLE SMOOTHING
SOMETIMES REPLACED WITH GATED PIPE
CONTOUR DITCH
BORDER IRRIGATION
• ALMOST ALWAYS
GRADED BORDERS
• ALFALFA, GRAINS
• MAY BE USED IN
SHORT ROTATIONS
WITH FURROW
CROPS
FURROW IRRIGATION
MOSTLY IN THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN
Gated Pipe Systems
Great increase in use since cost
share began in late 1980’s.
PROBLEM
AREAS
WATER QUALITY
• Late season (>July) water quality/volume declines.
• Leaching component must be applied in the spring.
• Conversion to center pivots may not be feasible.
LACK OF WATER MEASUREMENT
LEADS TO OTHER PROBLEMS
OVER IRRIGATION AND EROSION
ENCOURAGE USE OF PAM
CONVERSION TO SPRINKLERS
LABOR SAVINGS
+ MANAGEMENT
SPRINKLER APPLICATIONS
SIDE ROLL OR WHEEL ROLL
Pressure effects distribution
SO DOES WIND!!
WIND
ROSE
DATA
UNIFORM, LIGHT WINDS
• Catch Can
Evaluations
3 Dimensional Patterns
Pattern graphic
OLD IMPACT-STYLE PIVOTS
LOW PRESSURE PIVOTS
LEPA - Bubbler mode 8”-18”
above soil, or drag socks
OLD and NEW TOOLS