Texas Agricultural Irrigation: Regional Guide for Farmers

Texas agriculture is as diverse as the state itself. From the irrigated cotton fields of the Panhandle to the citrus groves of the Rio Grande Valley, each region presents unique irrigation challenges and opportunities.

Here's your comprehensive guide to agricultural irrigation across Texas.

Texas Panhandle and High Plains

The Panhandle is Texas's irrigation heartland, producing cotton, corn, wheat, and cattle on the Ogallala Aquifer.

Water Situation

Ogallala Aquifer:

• • Primary water source for irrigation
• • Saturated thickness declining in many areas
• • Varies from 50 feet to 400+ feet
• • Recharge rate: Less than 1 inch annually

Water availability varies greatly:

• • Deaf Smith, Castro, Parmer counties: Generally good
• • Hale, Floyd, Swisher: More challenged
• • Some areas have transitioned to dryland

Common Irrigation Systems

Center pivots dominate:

• • 80%+ of irrigated acres
• • Quarter to half-mile systems common
• • LEPA (Low Energy Precision Application) widely adopted
• • Efficiency focus due to water limits

Drip irrigation growing:

• • Cotton production increasingly using SDI
• • 20-30% water savings
• • Higher capital cost
• • 15-20 year system life

Regional Considerations

Pumping depths:

• • Range: 100-450 feet
• • Energy costs significant
• • Variable frequency drives help efficiency

Soil types:

• • Pullman clay loam dominant
• • Good water holding capacity
• • Susceptible to compaction

Climate factors:

• • Low humidity, high evaporation
• • Strong winds affect spray irrigation
• • LEPA or SDI preferred for efficiency

Typical Crops

• • Cotton: 2.5+ million acres irrigated
• • Corn: High water demand, declining
• • Wheat: Often supplemental irrigation
• • Sorghum: More drought tolerant
• • Peanuts: Growing acreage

Rolling Plains

The Rolling Plains bridge the High Plains and North Texas, with mixed irrigated and dryland farming.

Water Sources

Groundwater:

• • Seymour Aquifer in some areas
• • Variable quality and quantity
• • Shallower pumping depths

Surface water:

• • Limited reservoir capacity
• • Drought-vulnerable
• • Some lake and river diversions

Irrigation Approaches

Supplemental irrigation common:

• • Bridge dry periods
• • Stabilize yields
• • Lower capital investment

System types:

• • Center pivots on larger operations
• • Traveling guns and solid-set
• • Drip for specialty crops

Crops and Considerations

• • Cotton remains primary
• • Wheat with supplemental water
• • Specialty crops where water allows
• • Pecans in river bottoms

North Texas and Blacklands

The Blackland Prairie and North Texas support diverse agriculture with varying irrigation needs.

Water Resources

Trinity Aquifer:

• • Reliable in many areas
• • Water quality generally good
• • Artesian conditions in some zones

Surface water:

• • Reservoir systems
• • Municipal reuse water available
• • Permitted allocations

Agricultural Applications

Hay and forage:

• • Center pivot and traveling gun
• • Bermuda grass and alfalfa
• • Cattle operations

Row crops:

• • Corn and cotton where water permits
• • Soybeans increasing
• • Wheat often dryland

Specialty crops:

• • Vegetables near urban markets
• • Turf grass production
• • Nursery and greenhouse

Urban Interface Considerations

• • Competition for water with cities
• • Land values affect economics
• • Reuse water opportunities
• • Air quality considerations

Central Texas Hill Country

The Hill Country presents unique irrigation challenges with karst topography and limited water.

Water Limitations

Edwards Aquifer restrictions:

• • Strict pumping permits
• • Drought triggers reduce allocations
• • Some of Texas's most regulated water

Groundwater variability:

• • Fractured limestone
• • Unpredictable well yields
• • Water quality can vary

Irrigation Solutions

High-efficiency required:

• • Drip irrigation preferred
• • Micro-sprinklers for orchards
• • Minimal water waste tolerance

Crop selection critical:

• • Drought-tolerant varieties
• • Lower water demand crops
• • Value crops to maximize limited water

Common Applications

• • Vineyards: Drip irrigation standard
• • Orchards: Micro-sprinkler and drip
• • Hay: Limited irrigated acres
• • Specialty vegetables: High tunnels

South Texas Plains

South Texas combines brush country ranching with intensive irrigated farming.

Water Sources

Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer:

• • Major source for Winter Garden
• • Variable depths and yields
• • Some areas declining

Rio Grande:

• • Allocated through water rights
• • International treaty water
• • Drought-vulnerable supply

Groundwater management areas:

• • Increasingly regulated
• • Permits required
• • Conservation measures mandated

Intensive Irrigation Areas

Winter Garden:

• • Vegetables: spinach, onions, cabbage
• • Drip and pivot irrigation
• • Water efficiency critical

Uvalde-Medina area:

• • Vegetables and row crops
• • Competing urban demand
• • Edwards/Carrizo interface

System Preferences

• • Drip for vegetables and orchards
• • Center pivot for larger fields
• • Furrow declining due to efficiency
• • Subsurface drip expanding

Rio Grande Valley

Texas's southernmost agricultural region produces citrus, vegetables, and sugarcane.

Water Situation

Rio Grande allocations:

• • International water treaties
• • Highly variable availability
• • Storage in Falcon and Amistad

Drought impacts:

• • Periodic severe shortages
• • Fallowing required some years
• • Water markets active

Irrigation Methods

Flood and furrow traditional:

• • Still used for sugarcane
• • Lower capital cost
• • Being replaced by more efficient methods

Drip irrigation growing:

• • Citrus orchards converting
• • Vegetable production standard
• • Significant water savings

Micro-irrigation:

• • Citrus: micro-sprinklers common
• • Orchards transitioning from flood

Crop-Specific Needs

Citrus:

• • 200,000+ acres
• • 30-40 inches water/year
• • Freeze protection considerations
• • Micro-sprinkler or drip

Vegetables:

• • Year-round production
• • Drip and plastic mulch
• • High-value crops
• • Frequent irrigation cycles

Sugarcane:

• • 40,000+ acres
• • Flood or furrow traditional
• • Transitioning to pivot/drip

Texas Irrigation Regulations

Groundwater Districts

Texas operates under the Rule of Capture modified by groundwater conservation districts.

District requirements vary:

• • Well registration
• • Spacing requirements
• • Production limits
• • Reporting requirements

Major districts affecting agriculture:

• • High Plains UWCD
• • Panhandle GCD
• • Edwards Aquifer Authority
• • Numerous others statewide

Surface Water Rights

Appropriative rights system:

• • State-permitted allocations
• • Priority based on permit date
• • Enforcement during drought

Considerations:

• • Application process
• • Environmental flows
• • Junior vs. senior rights

Water Planning

Regional water planning:

• • 16 planning regions
• • 50-year planning horizon
• • Agricultural often lowest priority
• • Engagement important

Technology Adoption in Texas

Efficiency Incentives

USDA EQIP programs:

• • Cost-share for conversions
• • LEPA/LESA requirements
• • Soil moisture sensors
• • Application through local NRCS

State programs:

• • Agricultural water conservation grants
• • Research and demonstration
• • Technical assistance

Conservation Technologies

Most impactful in Texas:

• • LEPA/LESA conversion from spray
• • Drip systems for appropriate crops
• • VRI for variable soils
• • Soil moisture monitoring

ROI considerations:

• • Water savings vs. capital cost
• • Energy savings from lower pressure
• • Yield impacts
• • Labor requirements

Selecting Systems for Texas Conditions

High Plains Recommendations

• • LEPA center pivots for row crops
• • Consider SDI for cotton
• • VRI where soil varies
• • Plan for declining water

South/Valley Recommendations

• • Drip for high-value crops
• • Micro-irrigation for orchards
• • Efficiency required
• • Water budget carefully

General Guidance

Evaluate your situation:

• • Available water quantity and quality
• • Crop water requirements
• • Energy costs
• • Labor availability
• • Capital budget

Work with experts:

• • Local experience matters
• • Understand regulations
• • Plan for long term
• • Consider climate trends

FAQ

What's the best irrigation system for Texas cotton?

In the Panhandle, LEPA center pivots offer the best combination of efficiency and economics. Subsurface drip is gaining for farms with severe water limitations. South Texas increasingly uses drip for water savings.

How much water does a Texas center pivot use?

Depends on crop and region. Panhandle cotton: 12-18 inches/year. High Plains corn: 18-24 inches. South Texas may be lower with more efficient systems and shorter seasons.

Are there incentives for irrigation efficiency in Texas?

Yes. USDA EQIP offers cost-share for efficiency improvements. Some groundwater districts have programs. Check with local NRCS and your groundwater district.

What's happening with Ogallala water levels?

Declining in most areas. Some farms have already transitioned to dryland. Conservation efforts are extending supply, but long-term sustainability concerns remain. Plan accordingly.

Can I irrigate with city water or reuse water?

Potentially. Some municipal systems sell treated effluent for agricultural use. Requirements and availability vary. Contact local utilities to explore options.

Expert Guidance for Texas Farmers

Texas irrigation requires understanding local conditions, regulations, and best practices. ProTech Irrigation Solutions serves agricultural operations across Texas with installation, repair, and consulting services.

Call (214) 264-4793 for a consultation tailored to your region and operation.