1. SURFACE IRRIGATION IN MONTANA

2. MOST SYSTEMS IN PLACE FOR MANY YEARS

3. SURFACE IRRIGATION TYPES WILD FLOODING CONTOUR DITCH BORDERS FURROWS

4. CONTOUR DITCH PERMANENT CROPS STEEP SLOPES, LITTLE SMOOTHING SOMETIMES REPLACED WITH GATED PIPE

5. BORDER IRRIGATION ALMOST ALWAYS GRADED BORDERS ALFALFA, GRAINS MAY BE USED IN SHORT ROTATIONS WITH FURROW CROPS

6. FURROW IRRIGATION MOSTLY IN THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

7. Gated Pipe Systems Great increase in use since cost share began in late 1980’s.

8. PROBLEM AREAS

9. WATER QUALITY Late season (>July) water quality/volume declines. Leaching component must be applied in the spring. Conversion to center pivots may not be feasible.

10. LACK OF WATER MEASUREMENT

11. LEADS TO OTHER PROBLEMS OVER IRRIGATION AND EROSION

12. ENCOURAGE USE OF PAM

13. EQIP CONVERSION TO SPRINKLERS LABOR SAVINGS + MANAGEMENT

14. FINALLY, THE BOTTOM LINE: PROFITABLE CONSERVATION