Flood Irrigation Systems - How Do They Work?

If you have ever seen a home in the Phoenix areawhere the front yard has several inches of standing water, chances are a pipe didn't burst on the property or an underground well is not overflowing. They probably just received their delivery of water from the flood irrigation system.

Flood irrigation often comes to mind when people are discussing agricultural issues, but in the Phoenix, area there are actually residences that receive flood irrigation instead of using drip lines or sprinklers to water their property. Flood irrigation is useful mainly for older trees (including fruit and nut trees), which wouldn't survive otherwise. The water from flood irrigation soaks into the soil and helps promote deeper and stronger roots. It also prevents salinity in the soil, which can harm turf and plants.