Infiltration of Unconsumed Irrigation Water in Utah

by William C. Brothers, U.S. Geological Survey, Salt Lake City, United States,
Susan A. Thiros, U.S. Geological Survey, Salt Lake City, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Structures for Enhanced Safety and Physical Security

Abstract:

The ground-water hydrology of Panguitch Valley and adjacent areas, south-central Utah, was studied during 1988-90. One objective of the study was to measure ground-water recharge from infiltration of unconsumed irrigation water. Water-level and soil-moisture data were used to estimate travel times for water moving down through the soil profile, and to compare quantities of water reaching the water table after application of flood and sprinkler irrigation. During this study, estimates of travel times from land surface to the water table ranged from 11 days in June 1989 to 2 days in September 1989. Estimates of irrigation water recharging the ground-water system ranged from 25 to 75 percent of the water applied to the flood-irrigated field. Virtually no recharge was apparent for the sprinkler-irrigated field.

Subject Headings: Irrigation water | Water table | Water resources | Soil water | Infiltration | Groundwater | Floods | Utah | United States

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search