MANAGING SNOW TO IRRIGATE SHELTERBELTS AND ABATE SALINITY

Two techniques for extracting near-surface ground water were evaluated on a one-hectare (2.5-acre) salinized parcel of agricultural land situated within a barley field located in Saskatchewan. A mound of ground water formed under the parcel each spring as subsurface waters encountered impediments to downslope flow. This resulted in a near-surface watertable which subjected the parcel to salinization. The remedial technique involved extracting the excess ground water and utilizing it to irrigate shelterbelt vegetation planted for wildlife and agro-forestry benefit. Lowering the watertable reduced salinization and encouraged snow management to enhance total water supply. Upon infiltration, the additional water from melting snow could leach more of the offending salts from the parcel’s root zones. Water supplies were enhanced by retaining wind-blown snow within tall wheatgrass windbreaks seeded adjacent to the parcel. Sites rich in ground water, such as the parcel studied, can be de-watered either by gravity drainage or by solar-powered pumping using one or more shallow wells and, if necessary, radial accumulation galleries. The concept of water harvesting features simple, low-cost systems that can readily be installed by land owners using a backhoe. Water harvested by these systems could be used for livestock, wildlife, waterfowl, salt-tolerant field crops, and shelterbelts.