02/07/12

The four basic methods of irrigation are: subsurface irrigation ("subirrigation" which uses tile drain lines), surface or gravity irrigation, trickle irrigation (also called drip irrigation), and sprinkler irrigation. Of the acres currently irrigated in North Dakota, over 75 percent use some type of sprinkler system. Statewide, the center pivot is the most popular sprinkler system.

If the sprinkler system is for a new installation, there are two important tasks that must be performed before purchasing the system. First, you must check the county soil survey maps to make sure the soils in the field are irrigable. Second, you must have a readily available source of water near the field and have a water permit issued by the State Water Commission for that water. The water source must be of sufficient quantity and quality for successful irrigation. Extension circular AE-92, Planning to Irrigate . . . A Checklist, provides more information on what is required to begin irrigating.

A sprinkler "throws" water through the air in an effort to simulate rainfall whereas the other three irrigation methods apply water directly to the soil, either on or below the surface. A sprinkler system can be composed of one sprinkler or many. When many sprinklers are used they are attached to a pipeline at a predetermined spacing in order to achieve a uniform application amount. When selecting a sprinkler system, the most important physical parameters to consider are:

1. The shape and size (acres) of the field.
2. The topography of the field. Are there many hills with steep slopes?
3. The amount of time and labor required to operate the system. How much time and labor do you have available?

The center pivot system is very adaptable but doesn't work very well on irregularly shaped fields, long narrow fields and fields that contain some type of obstruction (trees, farmsteads, etc.). In these situations other sprinkler systems may be used more effectively.

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