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VOLUME 43
SPRING 1991

ISN 0827-2212

IN THIS ISSUE

EROSION CONTROL USING OAT
STRAW

IRRIGATION SYSTEM EVALUATION
PROGRAM

IRMAA BBS UPDATE

ALGAE IDENTIFICATION IN
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

SALINITY MAPS OF IRRIGATION
DISTRICTS COMPLETED

FROM THE FARM PERSPECTIVE

BULLSHEAD CREEK SPILLWAY
NEW GST REVETMENTS

RETIREMENTS

THE STUBBLE MAK^R i

Erosion Control Using Oat Stiaw^ ! ^ n *

Ever thought of creating your own stubble field to
prevent water and wind erosion while waiting for
grass to grow on newly constructed steep hard
packed embankments? June Carrington, a consultant
overseeing site restoration at the Oldman River Dam site
has, and hired Alberta Agri-Services Ltd. of Olds, Alberta
to create a "stubble field effect" on the downstream
slopes of the dam. "Keeping the topsoil in place until
plants take hold will be a very big challenge on the 1:3
side slopes. Wind velocities are high across these huge
embankments," she concludes.

Alberta Public Works elected to go with a unique
restoration plan. Carrington says that "native prairie
topsoil from the area was stripped and placed to a depth
of 150 mm on the slopes of the embankment. We hope
there are enough propagules in the soil to establish native
flora within a couple of years." To get some vegetation
growing almost immediately, Carrington had 10 kg/ha of
oats sown along with 5 kg/ha of Slender, Western and
Northern wheat grasses. After seeding, Carrington next
had straw spread over the seed bed followed by crimping.

Ken Schaber, owner of Alberta Agri-Services Ltd.
designed and built his own "stubble maker" or Crimper
as he prefers to call it. He has a patent pending. His
Crimper attaches to a tractor's three-point hitch and looks

June Carrington and Ken Schaber examine oat straw after "Crimping".

WATER HAULER'S BULLETIN

2

Overview of downstream slopes of Oldman River Dam. Light areas fiave straw spread and await Crimping.

much like an ordinary farm disc. Its twelve discs spaced
200 mm apart can independently fluctuate up or down.
Ease of operation is important to Schaber, the indepen-
dent discs allow his machine to turn on steep slopes and
in a six-metre radius.

After seeding, says Schaber, "we spread good quality
oat straw over the entire area. Oat straw is used because
it is more flexible than wheat or barley and less likely
to break when it is "hairpinned" into the ground by the
Crimper," he adds. Hairpinning the straw is accomplished
by the Crimper's discs cutting the ground and pushing
straw in to a depth of about 40 mm. Upon completion
of one pass with the Crimper, the area takes on the look
of a stubble field with its straw standing vertical in neat
200 mm spaced rows.

Cliopping and blowing oat straw.

Schaber says, "the cost of seeding and crimping
($1200/ha) versus hydro-seeding at $27-2800/ha makes
this a very viable alternative for steep canal embank-
ments."

Carrington hopes to have a good stand of native vege-
tation growing back on the slopes by next year, however,
she concedes it may take a couple years.

For more information please contact June Carrington at
the Oldman River Dam Site at telephone (403) 627-3765
or Ken Schaber of Alberta Agri-Services Ltd., Olds,
Alberta at telephone (403) 556-2084. ■

Editor's Note: Two weeks after seeding, germination of tlie
wtieat grasses and oats can be seen across tfie slopes.

NOTICE

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR DATES!

Here's your early notice to mark your calendar dates for
the forthcoming

ANNUAL ALBERTA IRRIGATION PROJECTS
ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

It's a two-day format this year scheduled for November
19th - 20th at the Lethbridge Lodge.

The proposed theme is: "Managing Water
Resource in a Changing Environment". ■

A Limited

WAnR HAULEirS BULLETIN

IRRIGATION SYSTEM
EVALUATION PROGRAM

The irrigation branch of Alberta Agriculture has
several programs aimed at increasing water-use
efficiency. One of these programs is the irrigation
system evaluation program. The overall objective of this
program is to help farmers evaluate whether their
irrigation system is providing an adequate amount of
water to meet crop demands.

At the request of the farmer, a preliminary assessment
of the system's adequacy is done by the irrigation branch
district office staff. This entails a check on the design
of the system, collection of data on the system and the
soils. If this assessment indicates that the system may
be deficient, field testing is carried out.

During the field testing, flow, pressure and fuel consump-
tion measuring equipment are installed in the irrigation
system, says Vincent Ellert, an irrigation management
technologist with the irrigation branch. "Pressures are
measured at the pump and at some of the sprinklers.
The total system flow rate is measured under at least one
operating condition. Using these measurements, the use-
ful power developed by the pumping unit is calculated,"
he adds.

The rate of energy consumption is measured. By com-
paring the energy consumption rate to the power
developed, an overall pumping efficiency can be calcu-
lated. This efficiency is then compared to the efficiency
of other units of the same fuel type. This comparison is
useful in evaluating the performance of the pumping unit.

The net amount of water applied per irrigation is calcu-
lated and compared to the crop water-use information.

Technologist Vince Ellert conducting pump test.

Over the past 11 years more than 500 units have been
evaluated. The most common problem is the misappli-
cation of equipment. In many situations the pump or
power unit used is not applicable to the job. In many
cases the farmer is not applying the amount of water per
application that he thought he was applying. By learning
their actual energy consumption rate, farmers are able
to compare the costs of alternate energy sources.

By providing the farmer with information concerning his
energy use and water application, more efficient use of
irrigation water can be accomplished, says Ellert. "In
many situations, increased system performance, resulting
in enhanced production, does not require system
modifications, only a change in management," he adds.
Ellert says this program is geared to providing information
which the farmer can use to make management
decisions.

For more information please contact the Irrigation
Specialist in your area.H

IRMAA BBS UPDATE

Effective June 1, 1991 the access telephone number
for the IRMAA BBS (Irrigation and Resource
Management division Alberta Agriculture Bulletin
Board System) will be (403) 329-0286. IRMAA is available
24 hours/day seven days/week.

The bulletin board is targeted for the general irrigation
community with Alberta Agriculture staff, farmers, irriga-
tion district staff, agribusiness, and consulting firms as
potential users.

The IRMAA BBS information (bulletins) consists of four
main areas:

1. Events Calendar '

2. Water Supply Outlook and Climatic Information

3. Division Information Package

4. Other Miscellaneous Information

Users can display the information to the screen or the
information can be downloaded to the user's system for
browsing offline.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions,
or would like a copy of the IRMAA BBS User Instructions
please contact Pat Mcllhargey, Information Systems
Analyst, Irrigation Branch, Alberta Agriculture, Agriculture
Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4C7. Telephone (403)
381-5855. ■

WATER HAULEirS BULUTIN

ALGAE IDENTIFICATION
IN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Fresh-water algae are simple plant forms, meaning
that single plants are not differentiated into separate
functional parts such as roots, stems, leaves, or
flowers. Individually, algal plants are extremely small.
Often a microscope is needed to identify the different
types. How then, can such tiny simple plant forms
seriously impact on the operation of an irrigation system?
The answer, says Robert Burland, a biologist with the
pollution control division, Alberta Environment, can be
found in the old cliche "there is strength in numbers".
"The "problem" species of fresh-water algae," states
Burland, "can grow and multiply so quickly that before
we realize it, problems are being caused."

In irrigation systems, algae are responsible for affecting
flows in concrete lined canals, and for plugging equip-
ment such as pump screens and trash racks. In ponds
and lakes, algae can taint the water so that it is unpalat-
able. Algae can cause fish kills by depleting oxygen and
can even impart toxic substances into the water.

Although there are thousands of species of algae that
exist in fresh water, it is possible to group them into three
categories: filamentous, planktonic, and branching,
based on their general characteristics.

The type of algae that raises the most havoc in irrigation
canals is the filamentous type, says Burland. When
checked under a microscope, individual filamentous alga
look like slender filaments or threads. The filaments may
have branches and may have a single "hold-fast" cell
at one end enabling attachment to rocks, concrete, or
other objects.

When seen collectively and in abundance, the filamen-
tous algae appear as long stringy masses attached to
objects or to other vegetation. In the standing waters of
ditches, lakes, or ponds, filamentous algae appear as
a cottony mass or surface scum that is filled with air
bubbles. The filamentous algae vary in color from green
to yellow.

Filamentous algae that are of concern in irrigation canals
begin growth attached to concrete, rocks, or other plants.
As they grow and multiply via cell division, the entire
mass of algae becomes such that current, wind, or wave
action may cause large chunks to break off and float
away. Individual filaments may also break off and float
downstream. It is these free-floating pieces and chunks
that "wrap around" underwater structures, and in gener-
al, plug things up. Because their stringy nature results
in this "wrap around" effect, algae are very difficult to
clean off.

Filamentous Algae

Filamentous algae can reproduce and spread in several
ways. The individual fragments of algae are capable of
reproducing and forming additional algal masses in other
locations. They may also form spores which can move
to other areas and begin new colonies. The spores which
are resistant to drying and freezing are the means by
which algae can survive periods of drought and cold
weather such as during the winter draw-down season.
Both fragments and spores can also be moved from place
to place by waterfowl or other aquatic life.

Planktonic and branching types of algae may cause
occasional problems in canals, says Burland, but are
more of a concern in lakes and ponds. The planktonic
forms of algae are free floating so they are not able to
establish themselves in flowing systems. In lakes,
reservoirs and ponds, however, these types of algae can
cause serious problems, he states.

The most notorious of the planktonic algae are the blue-
greens. Under the right conditions, blue-green algae can
multiply so rapidly so as to cause the water to look like
pea soup. This is referred to as an algae bloom. When
this happens, oxygen depletion can occur, causing a fish
kill. Some types of blue-green algae can add toxins to
the water under bloom conditions, making the water
poisonous to livestock.

The branching algae are larger in size and appear to have
stems and branches. They are often crusty in texture as
a result of calcium deposits and have a skunk-like odor
when brought into the air. Branching algae (Chara is the
most common type) inhabit the bottom of lakes, ponds
and streams, are attached to objects and grow only one
to two feet in size. Chara does not normally become a
problem in canals, says Burland.

For more information please contact Robert Burland,
Pollution Control Division, Alberta Environment, Provin-
cial Building, 200 - 5 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta
T1J 4C7. Telephone (403) 381-5511. ■

WATER HAULEirS BULLETIN

SALINITY MAPS OF
IRRIGATION DISTRICTS
COMPLETED

Salinity maps for 12 of the 13 irrigation districts in
Alberta have recently been completed and are
available at scales of 1:50,000 or 1:100,000. These
colored maps, based on data collected during the 1980's
as baseline data for irrigation rehabilitation planning,
provide a comprehensive inventory of the extent, location
and severity of saline and/or waterlogged land within the
irrigated and associated dryland areas in southern
Alberta.

Mapping of saline/waterlogged land was conducted by
Alberta Agriculture and Prairie Farm Rehabilitation
Administration (PFRA) using two different methods. Maps
for the Eastern (EID), Western (WID), Raymond (RID) and
Magrath (MID) Irrigation Districts were derived from level
III land classification maps prepared by Alberta Agricul-
ture. Affected areas were delineated by soil specialists
and private consultants on the basis of air-photo interpre-
tation, soil sampling and field inspections. Inventories
of the saline/waterlogged land within the other irrigation
districts were compiled by PFRA and were based on
visual mapping conducted through field inspections and
air-photo interpretation.

Both methods identified affected land within irrigated and
dryland areas as being either moderately or severely
affected. "Irrigated" blocks consist of parcels containing
acres assessed for irrigation, with dryland acreage being
dominant in some quarters. "Dryland" blocks are
basically dryland farmed, but may contain some small,
irrigated parcels and may be crossed by irrigation canals.

Specific sources of salinity/waterlogging have not been
determined and require further investigation, inasmuch
as the causes of salinity and waterlogging are complex.
Salinity and/or waterlogging within irrigated areas is
generally related to seepage from canals, improper water
management, poor irrigation practices or inadequate
drainage. The main causes of salinity within dryland
areas are growth of cereal crops in place of native range,
summerfallowing and impediments to surface drainage
that trap snow and water.

The total acreage of saline/waterlogged land within the
1.6 million acres investigated in the irrigated blocks was
201,670 acres, or 12.4%. Estimates for the total area
affected within the irrigated blocks of individual irrigation
districts range from 2.4 to 25.3%. Total affected land within
the dryland blocks was 238,050 acres, or about 13.5%
of the 1.8 million acres investigated. Affected acreages

within the dryland blocks associated with individual
irrigation districts range from 1.2 to 26.8° o.

Detailed comparisons of the affected acreage within the
irrigated and dryland areas, or among irrigation districts,
should be made with extreme caution, due to the diversity
of site-specific soil and natural groundwater conditions
that exist within the areas investigated. For example,
many of the affected areas are associated with depres-
sional areas or natural drainage courses that were
affected by salinity and/or waterlogging prior to irrigation
development.

Salinity maps are intended for use in planning further
rehabilitation of irrigation distribution systems and in
promoting reclamation of saline/waterlogged land.
Continuation of the irrigation rehabilitation and expansion
program will facilitate installation of additional seepage
control measures. Improved surface drainage, installation
of subsurface drainage systems and conversion of some
irrigation systems to more efficient methods of irrigation
all have served to reduce the extent and severity of
salinity. Level II land classification and irrigation impact
assessments also encourage responsible development
of land for irrigation in the future.

Funding provided by PFRA and irrigation council for
the preparation and printing of these maps is greatly
appreciated.

Further information and copies of the salinity maps may
be obtained from Frank Hecker at telephone (403)
381-5890 or Art Potvin at telephone (403) 381-5855, Land
Evaluation and Reclamation Branch, Alberta Agriculture,
Agriculture Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4C7. ■

United Irrigation District Saline/Waterlogged Map.

the ^^^H^^^^^H

WATER HAULER'S RULLETIN

6

FROM THE FARM
PERSPECTIVE

Soil Erosion

Soil erosion by wind is synonymous with loss of
productivity and reduced yields. Wind effects are,
however, farther reaching than the exposed field.
Aside from burying crops, drifting soil can create serious
problems in irrigation districts by filling ditches and
canals, plugging culverts and structures and generally
increasing maintenance costs. According to the Bow
River Irrigation District and Taber Irrigation District alone,
thousands of dollars are spent each spring in removing
soil deposited into waterways by wind. Landowners who
do not take adequate soil erosion control measures must
often contribute to the cost of cleanup.

Minute soil particles bouncing across an unprotected
surface will dislodge increasingly larger particles down-
wind of the initially eroded area. The fine, lighter particles
become airborne, appearing as dust clouds while coarse,
heavier particles accumulate and form drifts.

Two factors which make soils within irrigation districts
inherently susceptible to erosion by wind are geographic
location and impact on soil conditions due to cropping
options. Southern Alberta is not only the heart of irrigation
but also the center of chinook winds. With wind velocities
of only 21 to 48 km/h necessary to initiate soil movement,
high winds commonly experienced in this part of the
province can produce devastating results.

Practices which have traditionaify been associated with
soil erosion, such as summerfallowing, are generally not
an issue within irrigation districts. Irrigation has, however,
permitted the culture of specialty crops which frequently
increase the soil's vulnerability to erosion during the time
from harvest to crop re-establishment. This interval
usually coincides with seasonal, gusty winds. Problems
are compounded when potatoes, sugar beet and other
crops which leave minimal amounts of plant residue are
preferentially grown on sandy soils which are highly
susceptible to wind erosion.

John Timmermans, a soil conservation specialist in
Airdrie, demonstrated that oats are an effective means
of controlling erosion when used as a cover crop with
early potatoes. Oats may be aerial seeded at a rate of
3 bu/ac before potatoes are harvested in August, or
planted with a seed drill at a rate of 2 bu/ac after harvest.
The advantage of using oats over some of the other
potential cover crops is that it is relatively cold tolerant,
establishes quickly in the fall, does not recur and breaks
down quite readily by spring. Alternative soil erosion

control methods may be necessary if late potatoes are
grown with insufficient post-harvest time to establish a
cover crop. Lister shovels, attached to the back of a
cultivator, have proven effective in creating ridges and
furrows in light, sandy soils. An uneven surface serves
to intercept the wind and prevent it from traversing the
field at erosive velocities.

Soil erosion problems may also arise when the corners
of fields irrigated by center pivots are cultivated and left
exposed. Demonstration plots in the M.D. of Taber
indicated that planting barley under-seeded to grass or
alfalfa as a permanent cover provides a viable means
of protecting pivot corners from the effects of erosion by
both wind and water.

The enactment of the Soil Conservation Act in Alberta
enforces the requirement for proper management to avoid
soil degradation. Landowners may get assistance in
controlling soil erosion by contacting their local agricul-
tural fieldman who will provide expertise, equipment
rental and, in some cases, seed for cover crops. Owner
liability can also be avoided on leased land by writing
a stipulation into the rental agreement which specifies
cropping or management practices that deter soil erosion.

The price of soil erosion is paid by landowners, irrigation
districts, local counties, M.D.'s as well as the respective
area public. It is therefore an issue to be continually
addressed by equally as many industry players.

For more information please contact Marion Rigby, R
Eng., Irrigation Specialist, Alberta Agriculture, P.O. Box
588, Vauxhall, Alberta TOK 2K0. Telephone (403)
654-2161. ■

PHOTO: JACK PAYNE

Soil erosion by wind: effect on irrigation district waterway.

m

WATER HAULEirS BULLETIN

BULLSHEAD CREEK
SPILLWAY

NEW GST REVETMENTS

As described in volume 38, winter 1990 edition of
the Water Hauler's Bulletin, the St. Mary River
Irrigation District (SMRID) installed a GST revet-
ment chute spillway in the fall of 1988. The spillway was
designed for a working flow of 2.2 m^/s and was set on
a slope of 1:3.7. This product was installed at significantly
less cost than of a reinforced concrete chute spillway.

Monitoring showed three problems. One was due to
minor damage caused by the hydraulic jump. The second
was settlement of the revetment blocks directly above
the timber anchor system. The design of the timber
anchors makes it difficult to get enough soil compaction
to eliminate settlement. This settlement, while discon-
certing, did not appear to be causing short-term damage.
The third was that the celled blocks showed signs of de-
terioration.

In the winter of 1990/91 the chute blocked with snow. A
February Chinook resulted in significant runoff which had
to pass over the chute. The snow diverted the water over
the edge of the chute midway down its length. The water
then flowed under the geotextile and swept the gravel
sub-base downward and onto the ice. The revetment was
held in place by the soil anchors. Nevertheless severe
damage resulted to the lower portion of the chute. This
would likely not have occurred had the chute been
reinforced concrete.

Furthermore GST revetments had been used for drain
inlets along the main canal. Some suffered serious
subbase erosion from very limited flows and required
grout repairs.

7p « , /

Note extensive damage to Bullshead Creek spillway.

Spillway after sealing the surface and pumping grout underneath.

Repairs are underway, consisting of suspending the
revetment mats, sealing the surface and pumping grout
underneath. The chute will still be functional but is being
supplemented by a pipe spillway intended to carry
operating flows. The chute will only pass emergency
flows.

While the GST revetment has a substantial cost advan-
tage over a reinforced concrete chute it is vulnerable to
this sort of damage. Furthermore the design induced
settlement, potential subbase erosion and open cell block
construction, leave the longevity open to question.

For more information please contact Ron Renwick,
REng., St. Mary River Irrigation District, RO. Box 278,
Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 3Y7 at telephone (403) 328-4401;
or Jack Ganesh, P. Eng., Irrigation Branch, Alberta
Agriculture, Agriculture Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta
T1J 4C7 at telephone (403) 381-5869. ■

CONGRATULATIONS
FINN MCPHERSON

C

ongratulations to Mr. Finn McPherson on your
appointment to the position of Manager of the
Bow River Irrigation District.

the[

WATER HAULER'S BULLETIN

8

LONG-TIME IRRIGATION
SUPPORTER RETIRES

After over 31 years of work and contribution to the
development and enhancement of irrigation in
southern Alberta, Akos E. Pungor, head of Alberta
Agriculture's irrigation branch, has retired.

Akos always considered his work in Alberta's irrigation
industry as a career commitment, not just a job, and his
first concern has always been for the irrigation producer.
Whether it be in overseeing the delivery of programs at
the on-farm level or assisting the thirteen irrigation
districts, Akos recognized and promoted the valuable
contribution that irrigated agriculture made to the
Province's economy and water-based needs and enjoy-
ments for all Albertans.

As an Irrigation Emeritus, may we surmise Akos will golf
every course in southern Alberta in the summer; spend
the winter skiing; and next spring be back helping some
farmer-friend or irrigation district solve an irrigation
problem. Good Luck!

Akos Pungor

BRID MANAGER RETIRES

Mr. Jake Friesen has retired from the manager's
position of the Bow River Irrigation District, after
36 years of services to the district. He started as
a very young equipment operator (who was only going
to work a few years and then go farming) but was promot-
ed up the ladder, eventually reaching the top position
of District Manager.

Jake Friesen

To Jake it's been a lifetime of good experiences, and an
education at the grass-roots or hands-on level.

Now in retirement, he wants to devote more time to raising
championship quarter horses on his farm east of
Vauxhall. Best wishes for the future!

THE WATER HAULER'S BULLETIN

Designed to provide the operation and
management personnel of Irrigation Districts
with items of interest in their line of work.
Comments are welcome. Please contact
Duncan Lloyd, editor, at Area Code (403)
381-5539, Lethbridge.
Any information contained in this bulletin
regarding commercial products may not be used
for advertisement or promotional purposes
without permission from Alberta Agriculture and
is not to be construed as an endorsement of
any product or firm by Alberta Agriculture.
Published quarterly by the Irrigation Branch,
Irrigation and Resource Management Division,
Alberta Agriculture, Agriculture Centre,
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1J 4C7.

/dibcria

AGRICULTURE

WATER HAULER S RULLETIN