ARA Water Rights & Irrigation Systems 2

Question 1

Which irrigation method typically achieves the highest water use efficiency for row crops and orchards?

Accepted Answer

Drip or trickle irrigation

Answer

Flood (surface) irrigation

Answer

Furrow irrigation

Answer

Overhead sprinkler systems

Question 2

When appraising irrigated farmland, which factor most significantly influences the contributory value of an irrigation system to the overall property?

Accepted Answer

The crop yields and income achievable because of the system

Answer

The original installation cost of the equipment

Answer

The age and remaining useful life of the pump and delivery hardware

Answer

The manufacturer's brand reputation and warranty period

Question 3

A center pivot irrigation system irrigates land in what geometric pattern, and why does this matter for rural appraisal?

Accepted Answer

Circular — it leaves corner areas unirrigated, reducing effective acreage

Answer

Square — it maximizes use of rectangular parcels

Answer

Rectangular — it matches standard farm field layouts

Answer

Triangular — it is designed for sloped terrain

Question 4

Which factor is most critical when evaluating the adequacy of an irrigation well for rural appraisal purposes?

Accepted Answer

The well's pumping capacity (gallons per minute) and water quality test results

Answer

The physical depth of the well casing

Answer

The age of the submersible pump motor

Answer

The distance of the wellhead from the nearest property boundary

Question 5

How does membership in an irrigation district or canal company typically affect rural property value?

Accepted Answer

It generally increases value by providing a reliable, legally protected water supply

Answer

It always decreases value because of mandatory assessment fees

Answer

It has no measurable effect on market value

Answer

It only affects value if the landowner constructed the delivery infrastructure

Question 6

What type of irrigation delivers water through pipes buried below the soil surface, directly minimizing evaporation losses?

Accepted Answer

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI)

Answer

Solid-set overhead sprinkler system

Answer

Flood or border strip irrigation

Answer

Wheel-line or hand-line sprinkler system

Question 7

When comparing two otherwise similar irrigated parcels, one served by gravity-flow canal water and one relying solely on a single irrigation well, which typically commands a higher value and why?

Accepted Answer

The canal-served parcel, because gravity flow reduces pumping energy costs and diversifies water supply

Answer

The well-dependent parcel, because groundwater is always more reliable

Answer

They would have equal value because both provide adequate water

Answer

The well-dependent parcel, because the owner controls the supply independently