ClipArt ETC

The Irrigation ClipArt gallery provides 14 examples of agricultural irrigation practices and equipment.

"From the reservoir, whether constructed on a large scale to hold storm water or of small size to receive the discharge from a pump, there must be provided suitable means of conducting the water to the land. The simplest, cheapest, and most widely used is the open earth ditch built in such a way as to have a gentle, uniform, grade sufficiently great for the water to flow with rapidity and yet not to wash the banks."—Government Printing Office, 1897

Section of Field and Lateral Ditch

"From the reservoir, whether constructed on a large scale to hold storm water or of small size to receive…

"It is desirable, however, on account of economy of expense and of water, that all ditches should be as nearly straight as possible, and to save distance it is sometimes necessary to build up the ditch upon a mound or, if the depression to be crossed it too great, to construct a flume."—Government Printing Office, 1897

Section of Raised Ditch

"It is desirable, however, on account of economy of expense and of water, that all ditches should be…

"Showing Furrow Method of Irrigating Potatoes. The arrows indicate the direction taken by the capillary water."—The Federal Digest, 1921

Furrow Method

"Showing Furrow Method of Irrigating Potatoes. The arrows indicate the direction taken by the capillary…

"A modification of the basin plan, as applied to ground with considerable slope and consisting of hillside land, wherein f m is the main ditch on the highest side of the field, of which b c d e mark the boundaries. Its surface slopes in the direction of the arrows; o o and q q are "check levees," or slight embankments, built on level lines around the curved surfaces of the field. A supply ditch, i j, leads the water into the 'checks' or basins b c, o o, and q q, etc., and t w l is a waste ditch for discharging the surplus water from the checks when no longer needed." -Department of Agriculture

Irrigation by Checks

"A modification of the basin plan, as applied to ground with considerable slope and consisting of hillside…

One way to spread water over a hillside field, "f m is the main ditch and the slope of the hill as shown by the arrows; t o, r p, and s q are small ditches or plow furrows cut on a level line around the face of the hill. The water is let into the field by the short ditch at i, and is then spread over the space b c t o by means of a marginal ditch y z, from which it is made to flow in small streams and in a regular manner over the space between it and the lower ditch t o." -Department of Agriculture

Irrigation by Furrows

One way to spread water over a hillside field, "f m is the main ditch and the slope of the hill as shown…

Diagram illustrating an irrigation system.

Irrigation system

Diagram illustrating an irrigation system.

"Irrigation by means of check levees for orchards on sloping hillsides (sectional view)." -Department of Agriculture

Irrigation with Check Levees

"Irrigation by means of check levees for orchards on sloping hillsides (sectional view)." -Department…

"Irrigation by means of terraces on steep hillsides (sectional view)." -Department of Agriculture

Irrigation with Terraces

"Irrigation by means of terraces on steep hillsides (sectional view)." -Department of Agriculture

A section of a reservoir bank showing an outlet.

Reservoir Bank

A section of a reservoir bank showing an outlet.

An irrigation tool invented by the people of ancient Sumer. It uses weights to make lifting buckets of water almost effortless.

Shadoof

An irrigation tool invented by the people of ancient Sumer. It uses weights to make lifting buckets…

"A contrivance extensively employed in Egypt and the East, generally for raising water. It consists of a long stout rod suspended on a frame at about one fifth of its length from the end. The short end is weighted so as to serve as the counterpoise of a lever, and from the long end a bucket is suspended by a rope. The shadoof is extensively used in Egypt for lifting water from the Nile for irrigation" &mdash;Whitney, 1889 <p>This illustration shows two men using a shadoof to raise water. There is a sailboat in the background.

Shadoofs, Two Men Raising Water

"A contrivance extensively employed in Egypt and the East, generally for raising water. It consists…

Pictured is an arrangement in a rock garden to insure sub-irrigation. The pocket of soil in the rocks is filled with the proper soil mixture. The water may be let in at (A) with a rock just in front of the pipe to insure the water's downward passage.

Sub-Irrigation Arrangement

Pictured is an arrangement in a rock garden to insure sub-irrigation. The pocket of soil in the rocks…

Illustrated are diagrams to explain the effect of lowering the water table by means of under draining. In undrained soil the root don't penetrate deeply. This harms the plants if a drought comes.

Water Table Diagram

Illustrated are diagrams to explain the effect of lowering the water table by means of under draining.…

This device is similar to a water mill. A water mill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping. A water mill that generates electricity is usually called a hydroelectric plant.

Device for Lifting Water

This device is similar to a water mill. A water mill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine…