Part One - Background  |  Part Two - Summary  |  Part Three - Standards & Specifications  |  Map  |  
Photos - Water Samples  |  Photos - Deep Soil Tests

Goals
Encourage long term adoption of Best Management Practices to protect groundwater quality in the Ogallala Aquifer.  

Collect deep soil and water test data for background information.

Raise the level of awareness between Best Management Practices and water quality.
 

Methods

Best Management Practices:  Provide cost share and incentives for Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs are recommended methods, structures, or practices designed to prevent or reduce water pollution.  They are voluntary, site-specific, accomplished largely at the local level, with input from growers, crop advisors, and other professionals.  

For this project, BMPs have three required components: irrigation water management, nutrient management and pest management.   Irrigation water management includes irrigation system efficiency tests.  Cost share of 50% is paid for well tests.

Cost share payment of  $2.50 per acre are made to producers who contract with a Certified Crop Consultant and adopt Best Management Practices.

Baseline Studies:  An assessment area representative of the project area major soil types, topography, crops and cultural practices was selected where deep soil and water tests are taken for nitrogen content. This data indicates past and present nutrient management practices and whether all the nitrogen is used by the crops or has gone below the root zone. This data is NOT related to currently adopted Best Management Practices.

Expected outcomes
(1) Reduce the risk of groundwater contamination from agricultural practices. (2) Increase understanding of the connection between best management practices and groundwater quality.

Beginning and ending dates
July 1, 2002 - December 31, 2005.  An extension was granted to continue the project through December 31, 2006.

Contact information
District Manager, Yuma Conservation District, 508 E. 8th Avenue, P.O. Box 116, Yuma, Colorado 80759.  Telephone 970-848-5605.  Fax 970-848-5613.

Enrolled producers
Eligible producers are Owner(s) / Operator(s) who have contracted with the District to enroll certain eligible acres in the program and who:

• Have irrigated cropland under production in the District.
• Adopt BMPs for three components (irrigation water, nutrient and pest management)
• Hire a Certified Crop Advisor and other professionals to make BMP recommendations
• Provide documentation on what recommendations were made and how they were followed
• Provide proof of expenses incurred.

• Location - the legal description of the field
• Field size - the number of acres
• Current and previous crop information (type of crop)
• Test or scouting report dates
• Yield goals
• Actual yields

Yuma Conservation District
Lynda Harper, Water and Nutrient Management Project Director
508 E. 8th Avenue, P.O. Box 116
Yuma, Colorado 80759