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Show West Panguitch Irrigation Co. Sets Watering Schedule West Panguitch Irrigation Company, president, Konroy Henrie announced that a tentative watering schedule for the fields and Panguitch City adding if this area should get a welcomed high amount of rain during the summer this schedule would be changed. Water will be turned into the Panguitch City ditch May 23 at which time the water would go into the ditches every other week. The watering turns in the field will be two 36-hour turns during the summer months. In both cases this is just half of the normal amount of watering time in this area, Mr. Henrie added. Because of the water situation many of the local departments are Riving suggestions on ways to conserve water. Karl A. Kler from the Soil Conservation Service has sent out water conservation tips in different pamphlets that can be picked up either at his office or in the county court house. These pamphlets cover a number of different subject, including tips for stretching water for yards and gardens, tips for stretching water on crops and soils, and tips for stretching water on pasture and range. Utah State University Cooperative extension Service has also made several pamphlets on water conservation, one around and in the home and another, "management of crops and irrigation water in a drouth. The extension office is also working with the school children in the Garfield County School District, teaching them the importance of water conservation inside the home. Also the Utah State Baord of Education and Utah State University will hold workshops in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades. "The goal of this program," Dr. Walter D. Talbot, state superintendent of public instruction said, "would be to have every student exposed to a three to four week unit on water conservation prior to the close of this school, I feel this effort could make a significant contribution to the wise use of this most precious resource." Throughout the summer suggestions as to ways to conserve water will be published in the Garfield County News. This week management of crops and irrigation water in a drouth, published by Utah State University will be discussed. Drougth limits the amount of water available and usually reduces production, the pamphlet says, but by following certain steps and by becoming "water wise," as staff members Paul D. Christensen, soil science and water use, Louis A. Jensen, agronomist, Reed Roberts, entomologist, and Richard Griffin, irrigation and water use point out, this serious problem can be handled. The first thing they suggest is to check water supply. They then urged people to check their Irrigation system early, not to wait until the water is in the canal to clean the ditches, repair headgates and turnouts, install needed equipment and make needed changes in the irrigation system. "See that your canal company Is ready to deliver the early run-off water If there is any," they said. Next they stress to choose crops with short-season irrigation requirements such as barley, wheat, oats, peas, and short-season corn. They urged to plant as early as possible. which should be right after May 1 in Panguitch area. Plant early maturing varieties These can be determined which is best for this area by asking the County Extension agent, Verl Matthews. Be sure to plant certified, weed-free seed and postpone planting pasture and alfalfa. Plant the most important crops on the most productive soils, and plant the crop that will bring the highest net return from the water available. Remember that late water Is imperative for beets, corn and potatoes. Returns are usually higher for these crops if they can be successfully carried to maturity, so be careful during the drought and short growing seasons when considering these plants. A small acreage, well-irrigated, will bring a greater return than a short supply of water spread over the entire farm. This pamphlet suggests that 200 acre feet of water will adequately irrigate, 80 acres of grain or 47 acres of alfalfa or 53 acres of corn silage. The fourth way to save moisture according to USU is through improved farming practices. They caution the landowner to limit land preparation operations as much as possible. Cultivate to control weeds but avoid unnecessary cultivating as stirring the soil usually wastes moisture. They also urge to fertilize according to the water available. Corn, cash crops, small grains and pasture respond to heavy nitrogen applications. If water is limited, limit the nitrogen. Maintain phosphate levels on alfalfa at good levels whether wet or dry weather is expected. And of course one should make wise use of the water -available by irrigating efficiently. Use early water where available. Check the soil to a depth of three feet. If it is dry or partly dry, wet the soil in the entire root zone, four to six feet for most established or (Continued on Page 6) Water . . . (Continued from Page 1) maturing crops). If a late fall irrigation was not used an early watering will be most helpful. Be sure to avoid over-irrigation. Determining how deep the water has soaked into the soil, remembering that shallow and coarse gravelly soils hold less water and require less time to soak than the root zone. Be sure to apply water to the most productive soils and restrict the acreage being used. Improve the irrigation practices by using the largest, non-erosive streams possible to get the water over the land, then cut stream down for soaking. Provide for the length of irrigation run that prevents over-irrigation at top of field and minimizes run-off. Provide for water control. Good head ditches, canvas dams, siphon tubes, turnout structures, gated pipe or sprinklers will help, the extension agent urges. Combine streams where practical to reduce seepage and evaporation losses. If water waste occurs during night irrigation, provide for overnight storage where practical. Be prepared to use the water from flash storms. Keep canals and ditches clean and in good repair during the irrigation season, so water will flow freely. Another good suggestion is to control the weeds and insects in crops and weeds along ditches. More information on these can be obtained at the county extension office. |