The economic feasibility of pipeline water conveyance for alfalfa production in the state of Nevada.

摘要

Agricultural production of alfalfa in the State of Nevada is dependent on the proper management and allocation of water resources. Cost effective conservation of irrigation water for increasing the production of alfalfa requires research to convey the engineering and economic feasibilities of installing a pipeline to eliminate water losses along an earthen canal. This research includes an engineering assessment of the evaporation and seepage losses along earthen canals conveying the given flow rates of 11, 15, 24, 35, and 48 cfs. Furthermore, based on an estimated average gross irrigation requirement for the State of Nevada, the water conservation that was generated from installing a pipeline provides an additional assessment to calculate the acres lost to production for the given flow rates. Lastly, graphs were utilized to economically evaluate if installing a pipeline for water conservation to increase alfalfa production was monetarily beneficial considering practical interest and inflation rates.