How does surface irrigation distribute water across a field?

Surface irrigation distributes water across a field by utilizing the force of gravity to move water over the soil surface. This method is typically employed on land that has been graded to ensure uniform slopes, allowing for consistent water distribution.123

Surface irrigation systems are generally categorized into two primary types:

• Flood systems: Water is applied at the edge of a field and allowed to flow across the entire surface to the opposite side. This technique is frequently used for grain and forage crops.3
• Furrow systems: Water is directed into small channels, or furrows, that are plowed between rows of crops such as corn, cotton, sugar beets, and potatoes.3

In both systems, waste-water ditches are often positioned at the lower edge of the field to collect excess water, which helps prevent waterlogging and allows the surplus to be reused elsewhere.3