Mine Land Irrigation

A recent research study performed under US Bureau of Mines Contract No. J0199088 "Modular Irrigation Equipment for Reclaimed Strip Mined Lands" investigated the feasibility of irrigation as a reclamation tool in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Western United States. Review of mined land characteristics, evaluation of irrigation systems, and assistance from the mining industry resulted in the design of two strategies for the implementation of reclamation irrigation using solid set systems. It is not the intent of this paper to suggest the generalizations made on the basis of a six state area can extend to the design of an irrigation system for a specific mine site. The purpose is to present two irrigation strategies that may be implemented with solid set irrigation in this six state area. The reader should note that the following is the result of research and, therefore, original concepts were presented. The ultimate validity of these concepts will be determined by future field tests.