While LEPA nozzles also have a flat spray and a chemigation spray mode option, the bulk of the irrigation water is applied using the bubble mode. This results in intense instantaneous application rates sometimes approaching 100 inches per hour. Because this application rate far exceeds the ability of the soil to take in water, surface storage must occur to hold the water in place. Every other row of the circularly planted rows is irrigated, and half of the rows remain dry. The irrigated rows should be non-traffic rows keeping compaction minimized and intake rates high.
Dry rows mean less water evaporated from the soil surface.
LEPA was developed for low irrigation capacity systems to maximize irrigation efficiency and capture natural precipitation. Few systems in Kansas are operated using the LEPA concept, although many use LEPA nozzles in a spray mode. The term, LEPA, is often incorrectly used to indicate any in-canopy sprinkler package. Some Kansas irrigators are installing irrigation systems with in-canopy spray nozzles using nozzle spacing of either 5 or 10 feet. Ten-foot spacing is used to reduce investment cost, but, some distribution problems occur due to canopy interference.