Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Irrigation System, Sprinkler Code: 442

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 0

 Compaction -1

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 2

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 0

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 2

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table 1

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 0

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 5

 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 1

 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 1 

An irrigation system in which all necessary equipment and facilities are installed for efficiently applying water by means of nozzles 

operated under pressure.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Wetting the surface 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:

More uniform applications reduces subsurface flows.

Not Applicable

More uniform application of water.

Not Applicable

There will be crusting of soil surface during seed germination and wheel compaction due to movement of the irrigation system.

Not Applicable

Improved irrigation allows the leaching of salt below the root zone.

Properly applied sprinkler irrigation will not increase groundwater.

Conversion from surface to sprinkler will reduce surface runoff.

Efficient and uniform irrigation reduces runoff and erosion.

Efficient and uniform irrigation reduces deep percolation.

Erosion and runoff are reduced by the efficient application of irrigation water.

The action improves water use efficiency resulting in decreased deep percolation.

The action allows more efficient application of irrigation water, which reduces the potential for runoff from the field. 

Efficient and uniform irrigation reduces transport to ground water.

Reduced runoff because of more efficient application

Uniform water application reduces the potential for deep percolation.
 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water 1

 Elevated Water Temperature 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 1

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 1

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 2

 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

Uniform water application reduces the potential for deep percolation.

Installation of irrigation system limits or eliminates surface erosion and resulting sedimentation.

Reduced runoff of higher temperature water is likely.

More efficient application reduces potential runoff.

Not Applicable

An irrigation application moistens the soil surface and reduces the erodibility of the soil. Increased production from irrigation lowers 

the soil wind erodibility group by one class.

Not Applicable

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

Not Applicable

Increased water availability and managed application enhances plant growth, health and vigor.

Not Applicable

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

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Requires less water and lower pressure pumping. Reduces water applied due to an increase in application uniformity.

Improvement of Distribution Uniformity can result in reduced energy use for pumping.

Not Applicable

Water is temporarily provided during the irrigation season.

Not Applicable

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

Not Applicable