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A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING AGRICULTURAL WATER CONSERVATION POTENTIALS 1
Author(s) -
Davenport David C.,
Hagan Robert M.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1980.tb02454.x
Subject(s) - spillage , environmental science , water conservation , surface runoff , agriculture , overdraft , water resource management , irrigation , groundwater , evapotranspiration , farm water , hydrology (agriculture) , engineering , business , ecology , geotechnical engineering , finance , biology , waste management
This paper defines types of water losses in irrigated agriculture and outlines potentials for water conservation. Recoverable water “losses” (seepage, leakage, and spillage during storage and conveyance, and surface runoff and deep percolation during irrigation) and irrecoverable losses (evaporation from water and soil surfaces and transpiration from plants) are described and illustrated. Some conservation terms are defined, particularly the distinction between on‐farm irrigation efficiency and areawide efficiency. Briefly reviewed are agricultural water conservation technologies and their applicability. The biggest untapped potential for water conservation may be a reduction in irrecoverable losses, especially evapotranspiration. The advantages and disadvantages of reducing recoverable and irrecoverable water losses are described, including possible effects on ground water, energy, salinity, crops, wildlife, and in‐stream uses. Such information may be useful in several policy and management issues, e.g., ground water overdraft and possible constraints on crops and sites to be irrigated.