Solving an Irrigation-Erosion Problem With Softflow Screens

1 / 3
[2] The same jet of water after the handy device is locked in place.
[2] The same jet of water after the handy device is locked in place.
2 / 3
[1] The water flow before the installation of a Softflow Screen.
[1] The water flow before the installation of a Softflow Screen.
3 / 3
[3] This close-up shows the wire mesh construction and the holding screw.
[3] This close-up shows the wire mesh construction and the holding screw.

Here’s the story of how one enterprising landowner began solving an irrigation-erosion problem using an economically feasible and practical method called Softflow Screens. (See the soil erosion photos in the image gallery.)

Solving an Irrigation-Erosion Problem With Softflow Screens

When you need an uncomplicated, easy-to-use method of watering a sizable hunk of farmland, gated irrigation pipe is hard to beat. Unfortunately, it does have one major drawback: Water flows from gated pipe in a hard, thin, cutting stream that can cause tremendous erosion damage–especially when used on hilly fields and loose soils–within a few short hours.

Typically, the force of the flow first washes away the soil beneath the gate, and the turbulent motion of the water in the resulting catch basin then causes that hole to grow and eventually merge with the next. In this manner, the surface of a field can be pitted and trenched from end to end in a relatively short time, with literally tons of precious topsoil being washed away. And, as an added problem, water meant for one furrow will often run down another, leaving the first oversoaked and the second dry.

THE MCCLELLAN SOLUTION

  • Published on Jul 1, 1982
Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368