Water Resources & Irrigation Management Flashcards
7 cards from real Agriculture and Environment practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Water Resources & Irrigation Management flashcards as text
What is the primary function of a constructed wetland in agricultural water management?
Answer: To treat agricultural runoff by filtering nutrients and pollutants before discharge
Constructed wetlands use biological, physical, and chemical processes to remove nutrients, sediment, and other pollutants from agricultural runoff before it enters natural water bodies.
Which best describes a 'tail water recovery system' in irrigated agriculture?
Answer: A system that captures and recycles excess irrigation runoff from fields for reuse
Tail water recovery systems collect irrigation runoff (tail water) at the lower end of fields in a retention pond, then pump it back to the field head for reuse, improving overall water efficiency.
What does Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulate in agricultural watersheds under the Clean Water Act?
Answer: The maximum amount of a specific pollutant a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards
TMDL is an EPA regulatory calculation that determines the maximum pollutant load a water body can absorb from all sources while still achieving and maintaining water quality standards.
Which irrigation system type is most suitable for orchards and vineyards requiring precise water delivery to individual plants?
Answer: Micro-irrigation systems such as drip or micro-sprinklers
Micro-irrigation systems deliver small, precisely controlled amounts of water directly to individual plants, making them ideal for permanent, high-value perennial crops like orchards and vineyards.
What is the 'safe yield' concept in sustainable groundwater management?
Answer: The rate of groundwater extraction that does not permanently deplete aquifer storage over time
Safe yield is the sustainable rate of groundwater extraction that balances the aquifer's natural recharge rate, ensuring long-term water availability without causing permanent depletion.
Riparian buffers along agricultural waterways primarily serve to:
Answer: Filter agricultural runoff and stabilize stream banks to protect water quality
Riparian buffers are vegetated strips along waterways that intercept sediment, nutrients, and pesticides from field runoff, protecting downstream water quality and preventing stream bank erosion.
Which federal USDA program provides cost-share assistance to farmers for implementing on-farm water conservation and irrigation efficiency improvements?
Answer: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP, administered by USDA-NRCS, provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers implementing conservation practices, including water management and irrigation efficiency improvements.