A “revised” methodology for assessing land suitability for irrigation

Abstract

Advances in irrigation technology have resulted in the need to review existing methods of evaluating the suitability of land for irrigated agriculture. Previous irrigation classification systems were based largely on criteria relevant to flood methods of irrigation. This paper describes the principles and criteria of a revised method of classifying land suitability for irrigation. This revised classification scheme can provide initial assessments of the feasibility of Installing either flood (gravity) or sprinkler systems. The new methodology focuses on interpreting the suitability of land for Irrigation utilizing soil and landscape data made available through regular soil survey programs. Guidelines are provided to facilitate the ranking of soli and landscape attributes In terms of their degree of limitation for irrigation. Land with no significant llmitatlon(s) for soils and/or landscapes receives an excellent rating; land with slight limitatlon(s) for soils and/or landscapes is rated as good; land with moderate limitation(s) for soils and/or landscapes receives a fair rating while land with severe limltatlon(s) for soils and/or landscapes is rated as poor. The revised methodology is intended primarily for use In the prairie region of Western Canada. An assessment of suitability of the land base is one of the first priorities for evaluating the feasibility of Irrigation land use. © 1988 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.