Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Irrigation System, Surface & Subsurface Code: 443

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 1

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion -1

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C -1

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 0

 Compaction -1

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 0

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 1

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 1

 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 1

 Pesticides in Groundwater 1

 Nutrients in Surface water 1

 Nutrients in Groundwater 1

 Salts in Surface Water 1

 Salts in Groundwater 1

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 1 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 1 

Efficient and uniform irrigation reduces runoff and erosion.

Efficient and uniform irrigation reduces deep percolation.

Efficient and uniform irrigation reduces transport of nutrients to surface 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.

Efficient and uniform irrigation reduces transport to surface water

Efficient and uniform irrigation reduces transport to ground water.

A more uniform and efficient irrigation prevents losses to deep percolation.

Not Applicable

Water is applied more efficiently and uniformly.

Not Applicable

Increased soil moisture in the profile may result in increased compaction during field operations.

Not Applicable

The action should allow better management of salts, but the degree of impact depends on water management. 

Because of more uniform infiltration.

More uniform applications reduces ponding and excessive tailwater runoff.

A system in which all necessary earthwork, multi-outlet pipelines, and water-control structures have been installed for distribution 

of water by surface means, such as furrows, borders, and contour levees, or by subsurface means through water table control

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Wetting the surface reduces soil detachment by wind. 

Not Applicable

Tailwater runoff may cause gully erosion.

Over land return flows cause erosion on streambanks.

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 0

 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 1

 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 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

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 decreases weed competition.

Not Applicable

Efficient and uniform irrigation reduces transport to ground water.

Not Applicable

Conservation irrigation systems minimize affects to surface water quality.

Efficient and uniform irrigation reduces transport to surface water.