Determining the Amount of Irrigation Water Applied to a Field

Critical to any irrigation management approach is an accurate estimate of the amount of water applied to a field. Too often, growers apply water to make the fields and rows “look good” (blacken-up the beds) or continue irrigating until the water reaches the end of every furrow. However, quite often they never realize just how much water they have applied. When growers do not take their system’s efficiency into account , they may apply too little or too much water. Too little water causes unnecessary water stress and can result in yield reductions. Too much water can cause water logging, leaching, and may also result in loss of yield.

Revised 12/2011. Originally published: 2006.

Arizona Water Series No. 29.