Approximately 130 acres of the project site is made up of Farnuf-Shambo loams. These soils have a slow to medium runoff and there is little or no hazard of erosion. The remaining 30 acres of the project consists of Beaverton Series soils which are also well-drained soils suitable for irrigation. With sprinkler irrigation, the soil can be irrigated at very slow rates to allow for complete water intake with minimal runoff and ponding. Irrigation enhances crop cover during the growing season and provides more protection from wind and water erosion.
Irrigation also increases plant residues returned to the soil.
Soil structure is improved, microbe populations benefit from the added food source, and nitrogen fertility is enhanced. Assess whether the proposed project would result in the establishment or spread of noxious weeds. The proposed acres to be irrigated have been dry land farmed for many years. There will be some disturbance to the vegetative cover during the construction of the pump site and pipeline. The majority of this area will be re-seeded into crops.