Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Irrigation Water Management Code: 449

Units: ac.

C F R P Pr FS D W O AL

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 2

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 0

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 1

 Compaction 0

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 2

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 0

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 0

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table 1

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 0

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 2

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Moisture Management 0

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 2

 Pesticides in Groundwater 2

 Nutrients in Surface water 2

 Nutrients in Groundwater 2

 Salts in Surface Water 2

 Salts in Groundwater 2

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 2 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 2 

Controlling the volume, frequency, and application rate of irrigation water reduces runoff and erosion that may carry pesticides into 

surface water.

Controlling the volume, frequency, and application rate of irrigation water reduces deep percolation.

Water is applied at rates that reduce the potential for erosion and detachment, and minimize nutrient transport to surface water.

Water is applied at rates and times that minimize nutrient transport to ground water.

Water is applied at rates that minimize salinity transport to surface water.

Water is applied at rates that minimize salinity transport to ground water.

Water is applied at rates that minimize pathogens transport to surface water

Water is applied at rates that minimize pathogen transport to ground water.

Management of irrigation water will help reduce excess subsurface water.

Not Applicable

Managed application of water for irrigation will increase the efficiency of use.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Water can be managed to leach salts and chemicals below the root zone

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Irrigation water management is the process of determining and controlling the volume, frequency, and application rate of irrigation 

water in a planned, efficient manner.

The action promotes optimum biomass production.

Not Applicable

Managing water to maintain surface moisture reduces soil detachment by wind. 

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:
 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water 2

 Elevated Water Temperature 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 2

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 2

Air Quality Impacts

 Emissions of Particulate Matter (PM) and PM Precursors 2

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 0

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) 1

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 2

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 0

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 1

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 0

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 0

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 4

 Inadequate Shelter 0

 Inadequate Water 0

Inefficient Energy Use

 Equipment and Facilities 0

 Farming/Ranching Practices and Field Operations 2

CPPE Practice Effects: 0 No Effect

5 Substantial Improvement -1 Slight Worsening

4 Moderate to Substantial Improvement -2 Slight to Moderate Worsening

3 Moderate Improvement -3 Moderate Worsening

2 Slight to Moderate Improvement -4 Moderate to Substantial Worsening

1 Slight Improvement -5 Substantial Worsening

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Improvement of Irrigation Efficiency can result in reduced energy use for pumping.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Production will be improved with uniform and consistent application of water.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Maintaining adequate soil moisture content reduces the potential soil erodibility and increases crop growth and residue production.

Not Applicable

Increased vegetative growth from irrigation can improve carbon sequestration in a reduced tillage system.

Not Applicable

Managed application of water enhances plant growth, health and vigor.

Not Applicable

Improved irrigation efficiency improves crop health and vigor which decreases weed competition.

Not Applicable

Water is applied at rates that minimize heavy metal transport to ground water.

Water is applied at rates that minimize soil erosion.

Conservation irrigation systems minimize affects to surface water quality.

Water is applied at rates that minimize heavy metals transport to surface water.