The Bowdine soil is susceptible to erosion. Alfalfa will be planted under this pivot. The continuous cover provided by the alfalfa will help to prevent erosion and should improve the soil condition. 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. 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. The areas that will not be seeded in crops should be re-seeded, preferably with native grasses, to discourage the establishment of noxious weeds.