Agricultural Irrigation Water Conservation

Jul 22

Farmer Michelle’s Water Justice Leadership Institute Graduating Project (Spring ‘24 Cohort)

Disclaimer: There is so much more about water I could share, what it means to me as an Arrow Lakes person who was created out of the brief but deep love between Rain and Coyote. How all the water we have today is the same water our ancestors had - connecting us to the past and the future generations. How our bodies are made up of 60% or more of water. I could share all about the specifics of our watershed. Or Diving deeply into the specific farming irrigation practices of Good Rain Farm could be it’s own post. Currently I am researching and learning most about Ancient dry farming practices and rainwater catchment systems that can be funded by the USDA NRCS and EMSWCD CLIP grants as well that will help offset the financial impact of municipal water. You see the future forever farm has no water rights, but is connected to municipal water - a blessing and a curse. A blessing because we are guaranteed safe, properly treated and filtered water so long as we can pay the primum price.

Agricultural Irrigation Water Conservation

Water is an essential resource for agricultural productivity, serving as a critical input for crop growth and food production. Agriculture uses up to 70% of the world's freshwater, making it the largest consumer of this vital resource. Additionally, it is a major contributor to water pollution, with runoff carrying fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals into water bodies.

The demand for fresh water is further intensified by shifting dietary patterns towards more water-intensive foods including meat and vegetable production occurring in inappropriate geographies and climates. For instance, producing a kilogram of beef requires about 16,000 liters of water, whereas growing a kilogram of wheat needs approximately 1,300 liters. These changes in consumption patterns place additional strain on already scarce water resources, underscoring the urgent need for effective irrigation water conservation strategies.

In Oregon, water usage is governed by laws that emphasize the importance of public ownership and regulated access to water resources. Under Oregon law, all water belongs to the public. With some exceptions, cities, irrigators, businesses, and other water users must obtain a permit or license from the Water Resources Department to use water from any source—whether it is underground, or from lakes or streams. Generally speaking, landowners with water flowing past, through, or under their property do not automatically have the right to use that water without authorization from the Department.

Oregon’s water laws are based on the principle of prior appropriation. This principle dictates that the first person to obtain a water right on a stream is the last to be shut off in times of low streamflows. This is colloquially known as “First in Time, First in Line” and was instituted in 1909. Given the history of Oregon as a colonial settler-state that was founded with exclusion laws banning Black, Chinese and other People of Color from establishing residency in the state, these water rights are unsurprisingly disproportionately distributed, water was stolen from Native Tribes and exclusively approved for White landowners.

In water-short times, the water right holder with the oldest date of priority can demand the water specified in their water right without regard for the needs of junior users. If there is a surplus beyond what is necessary to fulfill the senior right, the water right holder with the next oldest priority date can take what is available to satisfy needs under their right. This continues down the line until there is no surplus or until all rights are satisfied. The date of application for a permit to use water usually becomes the priority date of the right.

Irrigation water conservation involves the implementation of practices and technologies aimed at reducing water use while maintaining or enhancing crop yields. By optimizing water use in agriculture, we can ensure sustainable food production, protect freshwater resources, and mitigate environmental impacts. This report explores various aspects of irrigation water conservation, including the importance of efficient water use, innovative irrigation techniques, policy measures, and the role of stakeholders in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By adopting a holistic approach to water conservation, we can contribute to our state's food security and the overall resilience of our ecosystems.

Effects of Climate Change on Oregon's Water Rights Policies

Climate change is significantly impacting water availability and distribution in Oregon, posing challenges to the state's water rights policies. Increasing temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent and severe droughts are reducing water supplies, thereby intensifying competition for this critical resource. These changes are putting pressure on Oregon’s water rights system, which is based on the principle of prior appropriation. Shifting policy to reward sustainable, biodiverse, and water conscientious farmers over more wasteful farmers growing excessive non-consumption crops as well as removing water rights from entertainment venues such as golf courses would go a long way to redistributing water access and usage more effectively and equitably.

Challenges for New, Beginning, and Young Farmers

Under the prior appropriation system, senior water rights holders have priority access to water during times of scarcity. New, beginning, and young farmers and landowners, who are often identifying as a member of a disadvantaged and minority community are also often junior water rights holders. They are also among the first to face water curtailments. This makes it challenging for them to establish and sustain their agricultural operations. Acquiring water rights involves navigating complex legal and administrative processes, which can be costly and time-consuming as well as a frosting experience as many of these folks have also learned to district government bureaucracies. Exasperating the barriers, the process can be particularly burdensome for new farmers who may lack the financial resources and expertise to secure water rights. New, young, BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ farmers are typically more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because they may lack the infrastructure, capital, and experience needed to adapt to water shortages and variable weather patterns.

Sustainable Practices for Efficient Water Use

To address these challenges and promote more sustainable water use, new and beginning farmers can adopt several practices and approaches.

Implementing advanced irrigation systems, such as drip or targeted sprinkler irrigation, can significantly reduce water use while maintaining crop yields. These systems deliver water directly to the plant roots, minimizing evaporation and runoff. Practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and organic amendments improve soil structure and increase its water-holding capacity, reducing or eliminating the harmful effects of erosion and chemical runoff that contribute to toxic algae blooms. Healthy soils retain more moisture, reducing the need for frequent irrigation and aiding in healthier plants who are more resilient to pest and disease thus requiring less chemical pesticide or herbicide applications as well. Growing a variety of crops, including drought-resistant varieties, can help farmers better withstand water shortages. Crop diversification also enhances ecosystem resilience and reduces dependency on a single water-intensive crop.

Dry farming techniques, which involve growing crops without irrigation in areas with limited rainfall, can also be highly effective. These techniques include timing planting to maximize natural precipitation, selecting drought-tolerant crop varieties, and managing soil moisture through mulching and careful tillage practices. Dry farming can reduce reliance on irrigation and make farming more resilient to water shortages.

Collecting and storing rainwater can provide an additional water source during dry periods. Rainwater harvesting systems can include simple methods like barrels placed under downspouts or more complex setups like cisterns and underground tanks. These systems capture and store rainwater from roofs or other surfaces, which can then be used for irrigation. Properly designed rainwater harvesting systems can significantly reduce dependence on traditional water sources and provide a reliable supply of water during dry spells while reducing the compaction or erosion effects of excess water that then overburdens the remaining exposed soil in the surrounding area.

Collaborating with local water user associations, conservation districts, and other stakeholders can help farmers develop holistic water management plans. These plans consider the needs of the entire watershed, promoting equitable and efficient water use for both humans and our flora and fauna neighbors. Utilizing technology such as soil moisture sensors, weather forecasting tools, and satellite imagery can optimize irrigation schedules and reduce water waste. These technologies provide real-time data, allowing farmers to make informed decisions about water use. Further engaging in water banking and trading programs can provide flexibility in water access. Though Farmers can lease or purchase water rights temporarily, ensuring they have access to water when needed without the long-term commitment. Also reengaging in traditional water irrigation systems and respectful cohabitation in the geographies and climates we reside in will further the conservation of fresh water which only makes up about 1% of the Earths water mass.

By adopting these practices and leveraging available technologies, new and beginning farmers in Oregon can navigate the challenges posed by climate change, ensuring efficient water use and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the state's agricultural sector.

Conclusion

The impact of climate change on water availability in Oregon necessitates a reevaluation of the state's water rights policies, especially to support new, beginning, and young farmers. While the principle of prior appropriation remains foundational, its limitations become more apparent as climate change exacerbates water scarcity. New and innovative practices alongside Ancestral policies in combination with policy reform, are critical to ensuring sustainable water use and agricultural resilience.

Farmers can adopt various sustainable practices to address these challenges. Efficient irrigation techniques, soil health management, diverse crop selection, and water harvesting and storage systems play significant roles. Rainwater capture systems, ranging from simple barrels to complex cisterns, can supplement irrigation needs, reducing dependence on traditional water sources. Additionally, dry farming techniques that maximize natural precipitation and manage soil moisture without relying on irrigation can be particularly beneficial.

Good Rain Farm, an Indigenous, women-owned farm, exemplifies the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with modern advocacy for policy reform. By reviving water-harvesting traditions and advocating for sustainable water management practices, Good Rain Farm demonstrates how historical and cultural practices can inform contemporary solutions. Drawing on ancestral water-harvesting traditions, the farm incorporates techniques such as contour swales, waffle gardens, and other land-shaping practices that capture and retain water in the landscape. These methods not only enhance water availability but also improve soil health and support biodiversity.

Collaborating with local water user associations, conservation districts, and other stakeholders can further enhance water management efforts. Integrated water resource management and the utilization of technologies like soil moisture sensors and weather forecasting tools enable farmers to make data-driven decisions, optimizing water use.

Addressing the challenges posed by climate change requires a holistic approach to water conservation. By adopting sustainable practices and advocating for supportive policies, farmers can ensure efficient water use, contributing to the long-term sustainability and resilience of Oregon's agricultural sector. The example set by Good Rain Farm highlights the potential of integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern practices, offering a pathway towards more sustainable and equitable water management.

Agricultural Irrigation System Examples & Definitions:

Subirrigation / Chinampas - Subirrigation is the act of water crops from below. Chinampas were floating gardens built by ancient Aztecans on top of the once great lake Texcoco which was later drained dry by Spanish colonizers unfit agricultural methods that were transferred to what is currently known as Mexico.
Flood & Furrow - Digging of ditches, canals, building dikes and berms and creating gates that can limit the flow of water in an effort to direct water to specific locations. This can be used in floodplains or near arroyos. Very well documented among the Southwestern Native American Tribes.
Ollas - often clay pots buried into the ground near crops, water would be carried to and poured into this pots where the water would slowly seep through the clay and into the soil below. A form of subirrigation. Commonly found between Northern Africa and China.
Fog/Dew Harvesting - Many plants phenotypes have naturally evolved to take advantage of the formation of Dew. Only more recently have humans identified the phenomenon and understood in scientific terms how Dew is created and harnessed this knowledge to gather fresh water out of thin air.
Rainwater Catchment - Human shaped Pounds were once sealed using pigs in selected high clay soil sites and extra waste vegetation, their rooting and wallowing would compress the clay soil into a water holding vessel. Modern surface water is often lined with plastic and filled up.
Dry Farming - A global ancient practice of tending to crops magnificently suited to the rainfall patterns of a particular geography and climate.
Hydro/Aquaponics - Hydroponics is the use of water as a replacement for soil in crop cultivation systems - much of the crops nutrients must be artificially introduced to this system. Aquaponics is also a water primary substrate however these systems mimic or similar to Chinampas are located in biodivers estuaries, lakes and ponds - fish are a keystone species to aid in nutrient cycling in aquaponic systems.