High Plains Water District is now enrolling producers to participate in its Irrigation Assessment Program for crops in 2023. Since 2013, cooperating producers have volunteered to have their center pivot or subsurface drip irrigation system evaluated by HPWD Field Technicians. Water levels in wells are measured at the beginning and end of the growing season. In addition, flow rates of the wells/irrigation systems are checked with an ultrasonic flow meter.
The District provides this service at no cost to producers that sign up. The pumping hours, combined with the total gallons of water per minute (gpm), or a simple meter reading over the irrigated areas, are calculated to determine the total acre-inches of groundwater applied during the growing season.
Rainfall totals are determined using radar estimates from April to September. This estimates the total inches of water available for plant use. Water samples are also collected as an extra service to participants in the program. HPWD can check for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), chloride, and pH levels in groundwater. All information gathered from each participant’s site is shared with other program participants. Several producers have said that the data has helped them better understand their irrigation system’s performance. For more information about the Irrigation Assessment Program or to sign up, contact Billy Barron at (806)7620181 / billy.barron@hpwd.org.