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| Hi. Our water runs in what is called a "dry creek" in Idaho. That means by Idaho Department of Water Resources that our creek does NOT connect to the main river in the valley which flows into ever bigger rivers. Our creek just runs through our canyon and then into a ditch after it leaves our property. We pump the water from the creek. We have a set of main pipes that go to each of the 9 fields with risers every maybe 50 feet? We run either wheel lines or hand lines off of those risers.
Our fields are quite level, but they have not been laser leveled in decades (if they ever were to begin with, I am not sure how advanced leveling was when we put in the handlines and wheel lines).
Your observations are very astute. You are correct that we do not need to farm. It is very difficult to find farmers who even want to cut the hay even though we give it away to them. Hay prices are low and this valley has grown into a residential and resort-based economy (kind of sad to watch it).
I met with the University of Idaho Extension office this week. The director there said that if we want to focus on groundwater recharge, look at flood. But he also said that solid set might be the way to go. He explained that if we are only keeping it green for aesthetic purposes and to give a little wildfire protection, then big guns would not need to be spaced for overlap. So for example, if we had really big guns that shoot 200 feet, we could actually space them 400 feet apart (not the typical overlap that would require 200 ft spacing).
Our group just learned yesterday about another type of solid set that is less expensive, it is made of PVC piping (can be in aluminum), with sprinklers on risers, and can be fully automated. In my mind's eye, I see a version of handlines, but they don't get moved, they just sit there an automated valves open and close. Is that what you are talking about or are you talking about big guns.
Any input on solid set is welcome!!!!
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Flood Irrigation Question
