Effects of changing irrigation practices on the ground-water hydrology of the Santa Isabel-Juana Díaz area, south central Puerto Rico
Water-Resources Investigations Report
91-4183
By: Orlando Ramos-Gines
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Abstract
Prior to 1930, the principal source of water for irrigation in the Santa Isabel-Juana Diaz area was surface water from outside the study area, which was delivered by a complex channel-pond system. Recharge from water applied to the fields, estimated to be 18.7 million of gallons per day, and discharge by ground-water flow to sea, estimated to be 17 million of gallons per day, were the major water- budget components prior to intensive development of the ground-water resources. Development of the ground-water resources after 1930 resulted in a substantial increase in irrigation, primarily furrow irrigation. The surface water supplied by the complex channel-pond system continued to be used and ground-water withdrawals increased sub- stantially. By 1966-68, ground-water recharge from irrigation water applied to the fields, estimated to be 37 million of gallons per day, and discharge by pumpage for irrigation, estimated to be 77 million of gallons per day, were the two major components of the ground-water budget. By 1987, drip irrigation had become the principal method of irrigation in the study area, and surface-water irrigation had, for the most part, been discontinued. The estimated aquifer recharge from irrigation water in 1987 was about 6.6 million of gallons per day, which occurred primarily in the remaining fields where furrow irrigation was still practiced. Although aquifer recharge had been reduced as a result of the conversion from furrow to drip irrigation, water levels in the aquifer were higher in 1987 than in 1968 because of the large reduction in ground-water withdrawals and subsequent recovery of ground-water levels.
Suggested Citation
Ramos-Gines, O., 1994, Effects of changing irrigation practices on the ground-water hydrology of the Santa Isabel-Juana Díaz area, south central Puerto Rico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 91-4183, iv, 22 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri914183.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Effects of changing irrigation practices on the ground-water hydrology of the Santa Isabel-Juana Díaz area, south central Puerto Rico |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 91-4183 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri914183 |
| Year Published | 1994 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Description | iv, 22 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Puerto Rico |
| Other Geospatial | Santa Isabel - Juana Diaz area |