1. Reduce or eliminate tillage.  Tillage contributes to subsurface hard pans in the soil that reduce the soil’s ability to store moisture.  Over time, usually after 3 seasons, no-till farms will show improvement in regard to soil tilth, surface residue, and organic matter in the soil.  All of these contribute to the soils’ ability to retain moisture internally.
    

2. If tillage is necessary do the minimum to correct a problem or set up a field.  Avoid tillage during the late fall or winter months.  Tillage during these times greatly increases the chance of erosion, excessive runoff and contamination of surface water.
    

3. Use overhead sprinkler irrigation when possible.  Overhead sprinkler and drip irrigation systems use less water than furrow irrigation.  Border irrigation for surface irrigated soybeans and side-inlet systems for rice reduces the amount of water needed.
    

4. When using furrow irrigation, attempt to get the water on and off the field as quickly as possible.  The ideal distance to run water is 620 feet.  Short, frequent surface irrigations minimize runoff.  It takes more water, is less efficient, and is less effective to run long rows of surface irrigation.
    

5. When furrow irrigating, monitor the low side of the field closely and discontinue pumping when the irrigation water reaches the bottom of each field.  This is probably the single most wasteful practice in the Delta.  The water that is not collected in a tailwater recovery system is wasted as far as plant uptake is concerned.
    

6. Consult with local NRCS staff for recommendations on establishing tailwater recovery areas on a farm.  Take advantage of the natural topography of each farm whenever designing tailwater recovery systems.  Tailwater recovery systems can be many different sizes, but they all will reduce water usage on a farm.  It is also less expensive to move surface water in a tailwater system than to pump water from below ground.
    

7. Make sure that any irrigation water leaving a field is clean and clear.  In the Delta, water is one of our greatest natural resources.  In order to protect and insure our abundant water supply, it is imperative that we follow sound soil and water conservation practices.
    

The DCDC is establishing a demonstration of Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III of the Conservation Security Program (CSP) at the Metcalfe farm.  This program effectively demonstrates water conservation.