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Bridging-the-Headgate in Oklahoma
Water Measurement Education
Since 1999 Reclamation has worked cooperatively with NRCS staff to assist Oklahoma farmers in better managing their water supply by utilizing Reclamation provided ultrasonic flow meters to determine water application rates and to conduct ground water well capacity checks. Sound irrigation water management begins with knowing the amount of water delivered to the field. By knowing how much water is being delivered to the field, water can be applied according to crop needs in amounts that can be held in the soil profile and at rates consistent with the intake characteristics of the soil. This joint effort has benefited farmers irrigating over 100,000 acres located over 7 counties of western Oklahoma, including Reclamation’s W.C. Austin Project Area (Lugert-Altus Irrigation District).
Ditchrider Training Class
On June 15, 2005, staff from Reclamation’s Technical Service Center, GP Regional Office, and OTAO Office conducted a 1 day Ditchrider Training Session for Lugert-Altus Irrigation District Staff. State, Area, and local NRCS personnel attended the session and follow-up Bridging-the-Headgate discussions. The training exposed NRCS employees to local irrigation canal management and water delivery issues and how those issues might impact NRCS ability to respond to farmer assistance requests. NRCS personnel were provided an opportunity to view presentations on various types of irrigation flow measurement, irrigation control structure automation, irrigation water delivery management strategies, and recommendations for dealing with farmer concerns. Personnel from Bureau of Reclamation Technical Center in Denver made a number of excellent presentations. This gave Irrigation District, Area and State level NRCS, and BOR personnel an opportunity to meet and discuss potential ways the different groups and organizations might work together to address local water concerns. The afternoon session was concluded with a field trip to several of the irrigation district installations.
Cooperative Communication Lugert-Altus Irrigation District
As a result of cooperative efforts and communication between Lugert-Altus Irrigation District, NRCS, and Reclamation, a new policy was implemented jointly by the District and NRCS, in the summer of 2005. This policy provides for mutual agreement on design elevations of on-farm concrete ditches prior to installation. Implementation of this policy will result in reduced seepage and more efficient management of District canals by reducing check water levels required to serve on-farm field ditches.
