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Irrigation Water Salt Concentration Influences on Sediment Removal by Ponds¹

ABSTRACT

Irrigation water salt concentration effects on sediment pond efficiency were investigated to demonstrate the necessity of considering the salt concentration in the irrigation waters when designing sediment retention ponds. The influence of dissolved salt was determined by adding concentrated CaCl₂ solutions to three ponds and then measuring electrical conductivities and sediment concentrations at the pond outlets. Increasing the salt concentration increased the sediment removal efficiencies when the retention time in the pond exceeded 1 hour or the inflow sediment concentration exceeded 500 ppm for the three soils studied. Adding salt to laboratory soil sample suspensions increased the settling rates for the two soils studied. That data indicate that the salt concentration in irrigation water is an important factor in determining sediment pond size and retention time. Using pond design criteria obtained from sediment ponds receiving water of a given salt concentration to design ponds that will receive water with a different salt concentration should include adjustments for salt concentration differences. A simple laboratory test is suggested to predict which soils will respond to irrigation water salt concentration changes that are likely to result in sediment pond efficiency changes.

¹ Contribution from the Western Region, Sci. and Ed. Adm.—Fed. Serv., USDA, in cooperation with the Univ. of Idaho College of Agric. Res. and Ext. Center, Kimberly.

² Soil Scientist, Snake River Conserv. Res. Center, Kimberly, ID 83341, and Civil Engineer, Univ. of Idaho, Agric. Ext. Serv., Kimberly, ID 83341, respectively.

Received for publication August 25, 1977. Accepted for publication January 20, 1978.