A C-27 contractor is designing an automatic irrigation system for a sloped landscape area. The soil is a loamy-sand mix. To prevent runoff and ensure water penetration, which combination of design elements is most appropriate?
- AStandard pop-up sprays with daily, extended run times.
- BImpact rotors with widely spaced, high-volume output.
- CDrip irrigation or low precipitation rate (LPR) nozzles with multiple, short watering cycles.
- DHigh-pressure spray heads with a single, long watering cycle.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Drip irrigation or low precipitation rate (LPR) nozzles with multiple, short watering cycles.
Sloped areas are highly susceptible to runoff, even with loamy-sand soil, which has a moderate infiltration rate. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone at a very slow rate, virtually eliminating runoff. Low Precipitation Rate (LPR) nozzles, combined with 'cycle and soak' (multiple, short watering cycles), allow water to infiltrate gradually, preventing saturation and runoff on slopes, ensuring efficient water use and plant health.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Standard pop-up sprays have higher precipitation rates, and extended run times would lead to severe runoff on a slope.
- B. Impact rotors with high-volume output would cause excessive runoff on a sloped area.
- D. High-pressure sprays and a single long cycle would lead to significant runoff on a slope.
Irrigation for Sloped Areas
Design and installation techniques used to water sloped landscapes efficiently, minimizing runoff and maximizing water absorption.
- Low precipitation rates are crucial to match infiltration capacity.
- Cycle and soak watering allows for gradual absorption.
- Drip irrigation is often the most efficient choice for slopes.
Memory trick: Slopes need slow sips, not a gushing drip!