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Evaluating on-farm irrigation efficiency across the watershed: A case study of New Mexico's Lower Rio Grande Basin

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  • Ahadi, Rasool
  • Samani, Zohrab
  • Skaggs, Rhonda

Abstract

Irrigation efficiency is a critical factor in irrigation water management. Irrigation efficiency is used in economic analysis when selecting an irrigation system design, and in irrigation management. It is also used in water rights adjudication and administration. On-farm irrigation efficiency is spatially and temporally variable and measuring irrigation efficiency is time consuming and costly. This paper describes a process to evaluate on-farm irrigation efficiency across the watershed using a combination of remote sensing and ground level measurements. On-farm irrigation efficiency was evaluated for three major crops in New Mexico's Lower Rio Grande Basin (LRG). The results of on-farm irrigation efficiency evaluation of 152 alfalfa fields, 189 pecan fields and 38 cotton fields showed that the average on-farm irrigation efficiency was 64%. However, on-farm irrigation efficiency values ranged from 11% to 95%. Accounting for delivery efficiency of 54%, the overall district efficiency was calculated as 35%. The study shows significant potential for improving irrigation efficiency in the LRG watershed; however, the inefficiency of the system is a major factor in recharging and sustaining the local aquifer. Significant improvement in on-farm and delivery efficiency can potentially change the hydrologic balance and result in depletion of the historically stable groundwater of the Mesilla Bolson.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahadi, Rasool & Samani, Zohrab & Skaggs, Rhonda, 2013. "Evaluating on-farm irrigation efficiency across the watershed: A case study of New Mexico's Lower Rio Grande Basin," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 52-57.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:124:y:2013:i:c:p:52-57
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2013.03.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sammis, T. W. & Mexal, J. G. & Miller, D., 2004. "Evapotranspiration of flood-irrigated pecans," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 69(3), pages 179-190, October.
    2. repec:iwt:bosers:h032634 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Al-Jamal, M. Salameh & Sammis, T. W. & Jones, T., 1997. "Nitrogen and chloride concentration in deep soil cores related to fertilization," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 1-16, July.
    4. repec:iwt:bosers:h032631 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

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    2. Garcia-Vasquez, Ana Cristina & Mokari, Esmaiil & Samani, Zohrab & Fernald, Alexander, 2022. "Using UAV-thermal imaging to calculate crop water use and irrigation efficiency in a flood-irrigated pecan orchard," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    3. Funk, Bryana & Amer, Saud A. & Ward, Frank A., 2023. "Sustainable aquifer management for food security," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    4. Mekonnen, Yilkal Gebeyehu & Alamirew, Tena & Tadesse, Kassahun Birhanu & Chukalla, Abebe Demissie, 2024. "Monitoring small-scale irrigation performance using remote sensing in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    5. Merchán, D. & Causapé, J. & Abrahão, R. & García-Garizábal, I., 2015. "Assessment of a newly implemented irrigated area (Lerma Basin, Spain) over a 10-year period. I: Water balances and irrigation performance," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 277-287.
    6. Jiang, Yao & Xu, Xu & Huang, Quanzhong & Huo, Zailin & Huang, Guanhua, 2015. "Assessment of irrigation performance and water productivity in irrigated areas of the middle Heihe River basin using a distributed agro-hydrological model," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 67-81.

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