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Costs of pressurized orchard irrigation vary with system design
Authors
Larry SchwanklIIene Wellman
Blaine Hanson
Terry Prichard
Authors Affiliations
L. Schwankl is Irrigation Specialist, Water Management Specialist and Irrigation and Drainage Specialist, respectively, UC Cooperative Extension, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; I. Wellman is Irrigation Designer, Golden State Irrigation Services, Stockton; B. Hanson is Irrigation Specialist, Water Management Specialist and Irrigation and Drainage Specialist, respectively, UC Cooperative Extension, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; T. Prichard is Irrigation Specialist, Water Management Specialist and Irrigation and Drainage Specialist, respectively, UC Cooperative Extension, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis.Publication Information
Hilgardia 53(5):14-20. DOI:10.3733/ca.v053n05p14. September 1999.
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Abstract
The costs of solid-set sprinkler and microirrigation (drip, micro-sprinkler and minisprinkler) systems are a major factor in the adoption of these irrigation technologies. Following design criteria provided to them, an irrigation design firm prepared 22 different designs for the same almond orchard. Initial and annualized costs for each of these designs are presented and discussed. The costs were highest for the solid-set sprinkler systems. The inclusion of frost protection substantially increased the costs of the solid-set sprinkler, microsprinkler and minisprinkler systems. Designs allowing the 40-acre orchard to be irrigated in two 20-acre irrigation blocks significantly reduced the costs. Pumping energy costs were a major portion of the annualized costs for all designs.
References
Jensen ME. Design and Operation of Farm Irrigation Systems. St. Joseph, Michigan: American Society of Agricultural Engineers 1983. p.829.
San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program. Irrigation System Costs and Performance in the San Joaquin Valley. 1989. p.42. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.281.5379.925
UC Committee of Consultants on Drainage Water Reduction. Associated Costs of Drainage Water Reduction. UC Salinity/Drainage Task Force and Water Resources Center 1988. p.29.
UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC DANR). Irrigation Costs. Leaflet 2875 1976. p.9.
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