For those who are interested, and have asked to know more; to understand our irrigation system
This is a wee blog post about the dams…see those straight lines in the cement ditch. Those are wedge-shaped dams…blocking up the murmuring water so the siphon tubes can be dipped into the water and quickly flung over the side (going downhill) to start sucking out the water and into the fields.
Terry does a complicated sort-of insert on some of the dams (see the one closest to us) half tipped up straight, one side down crooked. This allows the water to fill up and spill over so the next set of tubes has enough water to siphon.
As you can see we haven’t set the tubes closest to us yet. We are waiting for the water to fill back up to the ‘wet’ line. Then we will set the tubes
Here is the very last dam…we are allowing the aggressive water to flow over in a mini-waterfall
so the next field can have enough water we can set tubes in it. You can see the dam way, way down there. It will stop the water and start it to back up and start filling up the cement ditch
Once it gets full enough (and before it spills over the side) we will set the siphon tubes. The cornfields require two tubes per furrow, skipping a furrow,
while in the alfalfa we set one tube in each and every furrow
Each furrow must have the top dug out by hand so the tube can set in the perfect little slot and the water rushing and tumbling down the furrows STAYS IN the FURROW it’s supposed to be in.
Here you see the result—goals accomplished—in one of the corn fields. Water making it all the way to end and subbing across so everything is nice and wet. Once this ground dries out to the proper moisture…Terry will plant corn.
There you have it… a tiny wee blog post about dams (and water, and furrows, and siphon tubes); the heartbeat of farming in the high mountain desert of western Colorado :)!
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Thanks for the dam post! Water is so important and you do your best with it as a resource to get the maximum benefit for your crops without wasting water!
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We try. Anyone who really farms in our area has to try also, because the next farm down from you MUST have water.
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I love your posts about irrigation. No ditches here in the east, although some people do use pivot point irrigation. Not much though, as we are more wet than dry. Take care, dear friend.
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I would be a wonder to not irrigate! 🙂
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Interesting thank you
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You are most welcome 🙂
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Thanks for explaining (and showing) the way the dams work in your cement ditch. I found it to be very interesting, but I also got a little tired just thinking about all the work you and Terry need to do to keep things going as they should.
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Sometimes we crash as soon as it gets dark….even if it’s only 8:30 p.m. 🙂
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lay-bor N-tensive! @ least your “yard werk” is useful, as compared/opposed to our keepin’ the lawn green (it presently isn’t), etc …
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My lawn isn’t green either. I have lots to do on it yet. And I cant really do anything until I get water to the field in front of us….but soon. That day is coming.
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Very cool system.
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Efficient and saves on water.
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Water, and it’s availability, is so important to your way of farming. Lots of calculating and very labor intensive. You and Terry do an awesome job!!
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It is very labor intensive, but so rewarding. Thank you, My Dear Texas Friend
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They’re dams and siphon tubes and furrows, but your pictures make them look absolutely majestic.
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You are kind. Thank you!
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Amazing! thanks Linda!
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🙂 You are most welcome!
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Wow. Cool system.
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Gets everything wet and saves on water!
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How did you figure all of that out?
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This irrigation system has been in place since the canals went into place.
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Ah. Ok.
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🙂
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Wow Linda … gosh what an interesting process! Sounds very involved … I would love to see how it is done. We are so lucky with water where we are .. although it’s been a dry autumn! Hope you are both well! How is Boomer’s leg?
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He is improving a tad slow, but being elderly I guess healing slow is good.
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