Irrigation water requirements - Is water available in the
quantities needed to irrigate? In Michigan and Indiana
evaporation and plant water use from the soil are between 0.25”
and 0.30” for several days each summer, systems that can provide
5 gal/acre irrigated will meet the 0.25”/day. Seven gal/acre
irrigated is needed to provide 0.30” water requirements. This
capacity will be require 24 hours per day 7 days per week
continued pumping in time of drought Ground water availability -
Irrigation is not profitable without a reliable and adequate
source of water. Nearby large volume irrigation, municipal or
industrial wells are an excellent source of water availability.
Well drillers familiar with large volume wells in your area are
also excellent resources. Michigan has available groundwater
mapping tools that can help evaluate potential water withdrawal
sites. Surface water availability - Is surface water available
in dependable large volumes? Surface water quantities need to be
available at the time of maximum