Cost Analysis and Water Conservation Potential of Irrigation Technologies in the Texas Panhandle Water Planning Area

Six irrigation systems are analyzed considering cost and potential water savings. The investment cost of furrow and drip is $115,800 and $260,120, respectively. The cost of quarter mile pivot ranges from $59,000 to $64,000. Per acre-inch variable pumping cost ranges from $9.96 to $14.86 assuming natural gas price $7.00 per MCF. Converting current furrow acreage (60 percent application efficiency) to surge flow (75 percent) would save between 4.84 and 5.25 million acre-feet (MAF) of water over the 50-year time frame. Shifting irrigated acre to LESA results in estimated total water savings of 8.13-8.57 MAF. Converting all less efficient acreage to LEPA or drip increases estimated water saving to 12.59-12.96 MAF and 13.83-14.28 MAF, respectively. The total adoption of LEPA or drip would result in 18-20 percent reduction in water used for irrigation while maintaining crop production at current levels. Adoption of LEPA on acres currently under furrow irrigation will save approximately $22 million annually in fuel costs. Additional benefits can also be derived from savings in field operations performed and chemigation. The current mix of irrigation equipment used in the Texas Panhandle suggests that there is a significant potential for water savings by adopting advanced irrigation technology. However, economic feasibility of adopting more expensive irrigation technology and water savings resulting from it needs to be thoroughly assessed.