What is Surge Irrigation?

Surge Irrigation has been proven to use significantly less water in major crops that previously relied on furrow irrigation.
This technique uses a surge valve between two lengths of polypipe, and is a simple modification to furrow irrigation used in crops such as cotton, sugarcane and seed corn.
Nearly 30 percent of the water used for irrigation in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas is consumed by cotton and sugarcane. By converting to surge irrigation, the impacts could be significant in future water management struggles.
Texas AWE has shown that surge irrigation can use up to 52 percent less water than furrow irrigation in sugarcane, and 28 percent less in seed corn. Two separate cotton studies demonstrated savings of 22 percent and 31 percent.
About Texas Agriculture Water Efficiency (AWE):
Over the course of 10 years, researchers, growers, and irrigation district personnel worked together to test strategies for maximizing water use in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The research study launched with an Agricultural Water Conservation grant from the Texas Water Development Board to AgriLife Extension and TWRI. The findings are in, support is available, and it’s time to implement and improve agriculture operations.
Learn more at www.TexasAWE.org
A project of Texas Water Resource Institute: twri.tamu.edu/
Visit the Facebook page here: / txwri