According to the United States Geological Service, the earliest irrigation technique was probably a bucket:

“Ancient people must have been strong from having to haul buckets full of water to pour on their first plants. Pouring water on fields is still a common irrigation method today — but other, more efficient and mechanized methods are also used.”

That early irrigation technique is still around today as flood irrigation (or furrow irrigation) essentially means collecting water in a container and pouring it on the fields. Crops around the world are still irrigated in this way, and the modern technique often uses pumps to deliver water to the field.

Flood Irrigation Techniques

One of the biggest reasons flood irrigation is still in use today is because it’s one of the least expensive ways to bring water to a field. Farmers around the world use this technique, and it’s even popular in industrialized nations like the United States.

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One drawback to flood irrigation is that poor techniques can result in a large amount of water being lost to evaporation, which is a troubling issue for drought-stricken areas around the country. Methods farmers can use to reduce evaporation include making sure fields are level, which helps water reach the entire field, as well as reusing runoff water by pumping it back into the fields after it’s used.

Drip and Spray Irrigation

Other irrigation techniques include drip irrigation, which is considered more efficient than flood irrigation, and spray irrigation, which is a more expensive option. Drip irrigation is often used to grow fruits and vegetables and is handled by sending water in pipes that are laid along the rows of crops.

One of the biggest benefits of using drip irrigation is that it cuts down on evaporation that results in up to a quarter of the water being irrigated heading into the fields instead of the air.

Spray irrigation is another modern method, but it requires machines that deliver water in a spray above the crops. The concept is similar to holding a sprinkler over some plants at your house and covering them with water. For large farming operations, spray irrigation might feature a large line of spray guns that can move along the field and deliver water.

Why is Reducing Evaporation Important?

Evaporation can happen so quickly with some irrigation methods that the sprayed water doesn’t even make it into the ground and evaporates before it hits the soil. Wind can carry water away so that it doesn’t reach the correct area of the soil, which means the crops aren’t getting the water they need, and a vital resource is being wasted.

It’s important to use irrigation techniques that don’t result in excessive evaporation.

The National Agricultural Library, which is run by the USDA, reveals:

“Agriculture is a major user of water in the United States, accounting for 80 percent of the nation’s water use.”

Investment in irrigation techniques that help reduce evaporation is a laudable goal for everyone who uses water from the residential homeowner who enjoys gardening to the owner of a large-scale farm.

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Simple Erosion Control Techniques

For a home or small property, good erosion control often starts before a project has begun. Prior to starting a landscaping plan, it’s necessary to examine the property and consider issues of drainage, whether the land is stable, and how deep the earth is before rock begins.

One of the biggest enemies of a stable and erosion free landscape is improper drainage. If water moves along a slope, it will slowly erode the hillside and cause erosion. Even if a piece of land doesn’t look like it has a steep grade, a slight hill can still cause some significant problems with erosion.

Using Plants and Grass for Erosion Control

Another issue that can cause erosion is an unstable slope where the earth isn’t secure and is likely to migrate. The best way to prevent a hill or dirt-covered slope from eroding is to use erosion control grass or erosion control plants that will stop movement on the surface. At the very least, a layer of landscaping bark can reduce erosion in the short term.

Even if you’re not working on a hillside, plants are still an effective tool for preventing erosion, particularly when wind is at work removing soil. Landscaping experts usually recommend using a variety of plants to prevent erosion. If the soil is deep, it’s best to use plants that will have deep roots to match the depth of the soil. If the soil is shallower and stops at a layer of rock, plants with short roots will suffice.

Using Irrigation as Erosion Control

You might think of erosion control as the installation of grass and plants to prevent movement of the soil, but effective irrigation can work just as well to prevent erosion. Water is a destabilizing force when it comes to erosion-prone areas, and irrigation can help greatly in preventing erosion problems.

Flat Surfaces and Erosion Control

Many of the special techniques that are necessary for erosion control on slopes don’t apply when a surface is flat, so you have a variety of additional options for preventing erosion if you’re dealing with a relatively flat area like a residential yard, a field on a farm, or a commercial lot.

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For example, grass doesn’t always work when there’s a hillside. Plants, shrubs, and trees with roots are generally preferred on hills. However, flat areas respond well to a covering of grass, which can help prevent erosion due to water and wind.

Further, using an erosion control blanket is also appropriate for flat surfaces, as is a layer of mulch. Sometimes, a mixture of shrubs, plants, and mulch is used to prevent erosion around a protected area.

Why is Erosion Control Important?

The reason soil erosion poses a danger to the environment is because the loss of too much topsoil can actually alter the weather and result in a process called “desertification.” Just like the name might suggest, the loss of vegetation can result in a landscape that mimics a desert and isn’t suitable for growing crops.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, erosion control is important because:

“Erosion is a naturally occurring process that many times is accelerated by earth-disturbing projects. Erosion from these activities may damage the ecosystem and visual environment, increase maintenance costs, increase water treatment costs, and leave the land susceptible to noxious weeds”

All property owners, whether they own a substantial property or a small lot, should be aware of various erosion control methods and how to utilize them.

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