Irrigation-induced erosion and subsequent sediment loss is a serious
agricultural and environmental problem. Recent recognition of this problem has
stimulated the development and evaluation of erosion and sediment-loss-control
technology. Research results indicate that the application of the technology available
today can reduce sediment loss by 70-100%. Important practices include
irrigation-water management, sediment-retention basins, buried-pipe tailwater-control
systems, vegetative filter strips, tailwater-recovery systems, keeping crop residues
on the soil surface and in furrows, and implementing conservation tillage practices