Irrigation System

Irrigated Acreage Determination Procedures
for Wastewater Application Equipment
STATIONARY
SPRINKLER
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
North Carolina Cooperative

Extension Service
North Carolina State University

STATIONARY
SPRINKLER
Irrigation continues to be the most practical and cost effective method of

applying wastewater to fields so that the nutrients contained in the
IRRIGATION SYSTEM wastewater can be used by growing crops. However, irrigation systems have
inherent application limitations that make field calibration, irrigation
scheduling, and determination of irrigated acreage critical for proper use of
the nutrients contained in the applied wastewater.
Irrigation systems are normally designed to satisfy equipment
specifications provided in manufacturers charts. Information presented in
manufacturers charts are based on average operating conditions for relatively
new equipment. Discharge rates and precipitation rates change over time as
equipment ages and components wear. Poor designs and/or improper
operation can also cause poor performance. As a result, equipment should be
field calibrated regularly to ensure that application rates and uniformity are
consistent with values used during the system design and given in
manufacturers specifications. Field calibration is a simple procedure that
involves collecting and measuring the material being applied at several
locations. Step-by-step guidelines for field calibration of stationary sprinkler
irrigation systems are given in Extension publication AG-553-1, Field
Calibration Procedures for Animal Wastewater Application Equipment: Stationary
Sprinkler Irrigation System.
Irrigation must be scheduled when fields are dry enough to retain all of the
applied liquid within the root zone. If soils are too wet during irrigation, some
of the applied wastewater may run off the field or leach below the root zone
and become unavailable to the crop. These unused nutrients could
contaminate surface or ground water supplies. Determining when and how
much wastewater to apply for the prevailing conditions is referred to as
irrigation scheduling. Irrigation scheduling techniques and procedures are
outlined in Extension publication AG-452-4 Irrigation Scheduling to Improve
Water- and Energy-Use Efficiencies.
Sprinkler irrigation systems do not uniformly apply water throughout their
entire wetted area. Application depths tend to be higher near the sprinkler
and decrease gradually within the first 60 to 70 percent of the wetted radius.
Beyond this point, the application depth declines quickly to zero at the outer
edge. Irrigation design guidelines take equipment limitations into account in
establishing recommended overlap ranges to optimize uniformity of
coverage. Determining the uniformly irrigated area for stationary sprinklers
can be difficult for sprinklers located along the perimeter of the field, for nonuniform sprinkler spacings, or for sprinkler systems with improper overlap.
This publication contains step-by-step guidelines for determining irrigated
acreage of stationary sprinkler irrigation systems.
3

satisfy the land application requirements in the

Certified Animal Waste Management Plan (CAWMP).
The committee considered many factors including
recommendations from irrigation engineers, certified
irrigation designers, and industry representatives before
arriving at these guidelines. The irrigated acreage
determined by these procedures is intended to
reasonably and practically account for physical
limitations of the application equipment. The
irrigated acreage computed by the procedures
presented below must equal or exceed the acreage
requirement specified in the CAWMP for proper
nutrient use.
The irrigated area determination includes two
broad categories: existing irrigation systems
those systems installed before the guidelines were
finalizedand new or expanded irrigation
systems installed after the SB 1217 committee released
the third revision of the Sixth Guidance Document.
Future updates and revisions may occur, so you should
refer to the most recent Guidance Document for the
latest interpretation and effective dates.
For the purpose of computing the irrigated acreage
available to satisfy the CAWMP, the SB 1217
Interagency Committee adopted the term CAWMP
wettable acre to be applied to existing systems.
The irrigated acreage for new or expanded systems
should be based on standard irrigation design
guidelines, which are based on the effective design
area. The term expanded irrigation system applies to
new irrigation components that wet an area of a field
that was not wetted before adoption of the new
guidelines. These terms are defined below.
Existing irrigation systemsFor stationary
sprinkler systems designed and installed in accordance
with standard overlap recommendations (sprinkler
spacing between 50 and 70 percent of verified wetted
diameter) and laid out with multiple overlapping
laterals, the irrigated area allowance is the entire net
wetted area in the field. The net wetted area is
the part of the field that gets wetted by one
or more sprinklers when operated during
normal conditions, i.e., wind speed under 5 mph.
The wetted area for a single sprinkler operated
without overlap is the area inscribed within its wetted
diameter as shown in Figure 1. For multiple sprinklers
such as shown in Figure 2, the entire shaded area gets
wetted; however, in this case, the wetted area is
Background
Sprinkler spacing and design guidelines have been
developed primarily for freshwater irrigation with the
primary goal of ensuring that those areas of the field
receiving the least amount of water receive an
adequate amount to sustain the crop and achieve yield
goals. To achieve minimum desired application depths
within the lighter application zones, sprinkler
spacings of 50 to 65 percent of the wetted sprinkler
diameter have been determined to be optimum to
compensate for the declining application along the
perimeter. Narrower spacings are typically justified for
smaller sprinklers and higher value crops. However,
narrower spacings may also result in some zones
receiving more water than necessary, and certainly
more than the average. A good irrigation design
considers these factors and uses a sprinkler spacing that
achieves a balance between the relative proportion of
under and over irrigated areas in order to achieve
the most uniform application possible.
The application uniformity can be quantified using
one of several uniformity indices. The uniformity
index recommended for wastewater application is the
Christiansen Uniformity Coefficient, Uc. Step-by-step
computational procedures are outlined in Extension
publication AG-553-1, referenced in the previous
section. An application uniformity index of 50 is the
minimum acceptable for wastewater application using
stationary sprinklers. Irrigation systems should be field
calibrated regularly to ensure that application
uniformity is within the acceptable range. Field
calibration can also be used to determine the area
within a field receiving an acceptable uniform
application.
Irrigated Acreage
In an effort to answer technical specialists
questions and to provide uniform interpretations of
the states animal waste management rules, the North
Carolina General Assembly formed an interagency
committee in 1996. The SB 1217 Interagency
Committee is composed of two representatives of each
of the five agencies with responsibilities for the
development and/or enforcement of animal waste
management rules. The committee recently adopted
guidelines and procedures for determining the irrigated
acreage that can count toward the acreage needed to
STATIONARY SPRINKLER
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Net wetted area of

an exterior sprinkler
Figure 1. Wetted area of a stationary sprinkler

operated without overlap.
Net wetted area of

an interior sprinkler
Figure 3. Relative position of interior and exterior

sprinklers.
referred to as net wetted area. Due to overlap, some

areas are wetted by multiple sprinklers. Obviously these
overlap areas cannot be counted twice, hence the term
net is used. The sprinkler spacing is represented by
the inscribed rectangle. For a stationary sprinkler
system, there are two sprinkler designations within the
field that affect determination of irrigated acreage.
drawn through the sprinkler in question. For the

sprinkler pattern shown in Figure 3, only the three
center sprinklers are interior sprinklers, and the net
wetted area for one interior sprinkler is represented by
the center shaded rectangle. The other 12 sprinklers are
exterior, and the net wetted area of one exterior
sprinkler is represented by the top shaded area. Note
that the two shaded areas are not the same size.
For stationary sprinkler systems arranged in a single
lateral pattern, the net wetted area should be
computed based on 90 percent of the wetted diameter
as shown in Figure 4. The outer portion that does not
overlap with an adjacent sprinkler is not included for
reasons explained in the next section. For any system
in which the lateral spacing exceeds 70 percent of the
wetted diameter, each lateral should be treated as a
single lateral case. If sprinkler spacing along the
lateral also exceeds 70 percent of wetted diameter, each
sprinkler should be treated as a single sprinkler case.
Interior sprinklers
Exterior sprinklers
An interior sprinkler is any sprinkler that
receives overlap on all sides. For a rectangular spacing
within the recommended spacing range (less than 70
percent of wetted diameter), an interior sprinkler
receives overlap from eight adjacent sprinklers as
shown in Figure 3, although only four sprinklers
contribute significant overlap. An interior sprinkler
is a sprinkler that receives overlap from the four
adjacent sprinklers along perpendicular transects
9r
0.
Figure 4. Net wetted area of stationary sprinklers
arranged along a single lateral.
Figure 2. Net wetted area for multiple sprinklers

in a square sprinkler pattern.

The system layout, including determination of

lateral and sprinkler spacing, lateral configuration, and
number of interior and exterior sprinklers, must be
determined in order to compute the CAWMP wettable
acres.
.78
.78
.68d
New or Expanded Irrigation Systems

New or expanded irrigation systems should follow
recommended design standards, which base the
allowable irrigated area on the effectively irrigated area,
referred to as the design area.
The effective irrigated area is the wetted area that
receives at least 50 percent of the target application
amount. Recent field calibration measurements have
determined this to be the area that falls within 78
percent of the wetted radius as shown in Figure 5. Note
that application depths remain within 90 percent of
the target amount out to 60 percent of the wetted
radius. Between 60 and 70 percent of the wetted radius,
application amounts still remain within 80 percent of
the target application amount. But beyond 70 percent
of the wetted radius, application amounts drop off
quickly, declining to 50 percent by 78 percent of the
wetted radius. Beyond 90 percent of the wetted radius,
Figure 6. Sprinkler spacing as a percent of wetted

diameter where the 50 percent application from
adjacent sprinkler overlaps.
the application depth drops below 20 percent.

Traditional design spacing guidelines established by
the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service for
stationary sprinklers have been 50 to 65 percent of
manufacturers published wetted diameter. When
sprinklers are arranged in a square pattern, the point of
intersection of the 50 percent application amount (78
percent of wetted radius as shown in Figure 5) occurs
at a sprinkler spacing of 68 percent of the wetted
diameter. This is shown graphically in Figure 6. At
wider spacings, there is inadequate overlap resulting
in dry zones. The relative proportion of dry zone
(unshaded area in the center of Figure 6) increases as
the spacing increases. A conservative rule of thumb for
sprinkler spacing has been not to exceed 65 percent of
the manufacturers published wetted diameter. Recent
measurements on more than 50 systems determined
that field-measured wetted diameters averaged 10
percent less than values published by manufacturers.
A spacing based on 70 percent of field-measured
diameter is roughly the same as a spacing based on
65 percent of manufacturers values. The data presented
in Figure 5 confirm irrigation design specifications
previously recommended by the North Carolina
Cooperative Extension Service and should continue to
Figure 5. Application depth as a function of

distance from gun sprinklers as determined from
field calibration measurements. (Values shown
were measured for both stationary and traveling
gun systems.)
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
1. Standing just outside the wetted perimeter, observe

and flag the farthest point getting wetted for each
of three consecutive passes of the sprinkler.
be applied to new or expanded systems. Spacings

greater than 70 percent of the verified wetted diameter
or 65 percent of the wetted diameter published in
manufacturers literature are considered excessive and
result in unacceptable uniformity.
The irrigated area allowance of a single or
excessively spaced sprinkler is the area inscribed
within 78 percent of the wetted radius as shown in
Figure 7. This is regardless of when the system was
installed. You should treat a stand-alone sprinkler or
any sprinklers located on laterals in which the lateral
spacing and the sprinkler spacing along the lateral
exceed 70 percent as a single sprinkler. For example, in
Figure 7, the spacing along the lateral is 90 percent of
the wetted diameter, so the area of each sprinkler is
computed as a single sprinkler rather than as a single
lateral as was shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4, the
shaded areas overlap, therefore computations are based
on a single lateral. In Figure 7, the shaded areas do
not overlap, therefore the computations are based on
each sprinkler individually.
2. Select one flag to mark the average distance of the

three observations. Remove the other two flags.
3. Move 90 degrees around the wetted perimeter and
repeat steps 1 and 2. Continue until the wetted
perimeter has been flagged on four sides of the
sprinkler as shown in Figure 8.
4. Move to sprinkler #2 and repeat steps 1 through 3.
5. Measure and record the distances from the sprinkler
to each flag.
6. Determine the average of the four measurements
for each sprinkler.
7. Compare the two sprinklers, and if the measurements are within 10 percent, compute the average
of the two and this will be the wetted radius. If
the difference between the measurements is more
than 10 percent, repeat steps 1 through 6 for a third
sprinkler.
Field Measurements
To accurately calculate the irrigated area, determine
the wetted diameter or radius of the sprinkler system.
There are two methods for determining the wetted
diameter, and both require operating the system:
8. Compare the measurements for all three sprinklers

and identify the two that are closest. If their
difference is less than 10 percent, compute the
average of the two, and this value is the wetted
radius. If the difference is more than 10 percent,
repeat steps 1 through 6 until you identify two
sprinklers that fall within 10 percent of each other.
Directly measure the wetted diameter (footprint),

which is the preferred method
Estimate wetted diameter from field-measured
sprinkler pressure and values published in
manufacturers charts for the observed pressure.
Footprint measurementFootprint
measurement involves observing, marking, and
measuring the farthest distances from the sprinkler
that get wetted. Field data should be collected on at
least two sprinklers located on two different lateral
lines farthest from the pump. In both cases, the
sprinklers should be located at least 1/4 of the way
down the lateral line. Measurements should be made
during very light wind (less than 5 mph). The wetted
distance from each sprinkler should be determined at
four points along the perimeter as indicated in Figure
8. The system should be operated long enough for all
air to be purged from the system before starting to
make measurements. With the system operating at
normal pressure:
Pressure measurementThe wetted diameter can

also be estimated from pressure measurements if the
pressure is measured at the sprinkler. Pump pressure
is NOT an acceptable substitute.
Collect field data for at least two sprinklers located
on two different lateral lines farthest from the pump.
In both cases, the sprinklers should be located at least
1/4 of the way down the lateral line. The system
should be operated long enough for all air to be purged
from the system before measuring the pressure.
If you are using portable quick-connect risers, it is
suggested that you configure one riser with a pressure
gauge so that you can easily move the entire assembly

Flag to mark edge

of wetted radius
.7
8r
0.9d
Figure 7. Effective irrigated area of a single
sprinkler when sprinkler spacing exceeds
70 percent of wetted diameter.
Figure 8. Field determination of sprinkler wetted

radius.
to several laterals. This riser-pressure gauge assembly

should be an extra riser and used only when pressure
measurements are needed. If it is used routinely, the
gauge will soon foul and give erroneous measurements.
For permanent risers, you should install a tee with a
threaded reducing port in two riser pipes. You should
temporarily install a pressure gauge in the threaded
port to make pressure measurements. Once the
measurement has been made, it is recommended that
you remove the gauge and plug the port. The same
gauge can be used at all locations. An alternative
approach is to install a shut-off valve between the riser
pipe and pressure gauge and leave the gauge
permanently mounted.
It is also necessary to determine the exact size of
the nozzle opening. Most manufacturers stamp the
nozzle size on the end of the nozzle. If this is not
readable, a drill index can be used to determine the size
of small nozzles (less than 1/2-inch diameter). Simply
insert the shank end of a drill bit into the nozzle
opening until a bit providing a snug fit is found. Read
and record the size of the drill bit.
Once you have measured the operating pressure
and nozzle opening, you can estimate the wetted
diameter from manufacturers literature. When using
Tables 1 through 5 to determine irrigated
acreage, reduce the value taken from
manufacturers charts by 10 percent.
Computations are not difficult; but they can become

cumbersome for non-uniform sprinkler spacings,
sprinkler systems with improper overlap, and sprinklers
located along the perimeter of the field. To simplify the
determination of irrigated acreage, computations have
been tabulated in Tables 1 through 5 for typical
spacings and patterns. Use of these tables requires
precise determination of wetted diameter, system
layout, and the number of interior and exterior
sprinklers as defined earlier. A flowchart for using the
tables is shown in Figure 12.
Irrigated acreage based on net wetted area for
existing systems is shown in columns (B), (C), and (F)
in Tables 1 through 5. Irrigated acreage based on design
area for new or expanded systems is shown in columns
(D), (E), and (G). You should follow these general
guidelines in using these tabulated values. Decisions
are to be made on a field-by-field basis as referenced in
the CAWMP.
1. Determine the number of interior and
exterior sprinklers for each field.
2. Determine whether the system in each field
satisfies the existing or new designation.
3. From the Field Data Worksheet, determine the
lateral spacing and sprinkler spacing along the
lateral.
Determining Irrigated Acreage

Once you have collected the necessary field data
and determined the wetted radius or diameter, you
can compute the CAWMP wettable acres.
4. Determine whether the system satisfies the

multiple lateral or single lateral pattern.
If the lateral spacing exceeds 70 percent of the
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
has eight laterals of varying length laid out in the field.
wetted diameter but the sprinkler spacing along

the lateral is less than 70 percent, you should
treat the systems as a single lateral system and
base the irrigated acreage read from column F
(from the appropriate table) on sprinkler spacing
along the lateral.

exterior sprinklers for each field (Field Data
Worksheet item 7). Referring to Figure 9, count
all sprinklers along the perimeter of the field to
determine the number of exterior sprinklers.
Any sprinkler not receiving overlap on four sides
should be counted as an exterior sprinkler.
If both the lateral and sprinkler spacing exceeds

70 percent, the irrigated area should be read
from Table 6.
Number of exterior sprinklers = 30

Number of interior sprinklers = 42
5. Read the irrigated area per sprinkler for the given

wetted diameter from the appropriate column
based on pattern, spacing, and sprinkler type.

If the lateral or sprinkler spacing falls between

the tabulated values, interpolate or round down
and use the table for the next lowest value
shown. For example, if the computed spacing is
between 60 and 64 percent, use the 60 percent
table (Table 3).
System satisfies existing designation.

3. From the field data, determine the lateral and
sprinkler spacing along the lateral and wetted
diameter.
The appropriate Field Data Worksheet shows the
lateral spacing (Field Data Worksheet item 3) is
80 feet and the sprinkler spacing (Field Data
Worksheet item 3) along the lateral is 80 feet.
The wetted diameter (Field Data Worksheet item
5) is 127 feet.
If the pattern is rectangular (rather than square

as shown), for example, lateral spacing
is 65 percent but sprinkler spacing along lateral
is 55 percent, average these two values and use
the appropriate table. In this case, use Table 3,
60 percent table. As before, if the averaged value
falls between the tabulated values, interpolate
between the appropriate tables or round down
to the next lowest tabulated value.
6. Multiply the tabulated irrigated acreage value per
sprinkler by the number of sprinklers in each
category. Add all of these, and the sum is the
total irrigated acreage for the field.
A flowchart summarizing the decision processes

for using Tables 1 through 6 is shown in Figure 12.
Determining Irrigated Acreage

EXAMPLES
Case I: Multiple laterals with uniform spacing.
Figure 9 shows a typical lateral and sprinkler pattern
for a stationary sprinkler system. This existing system
To pump
Figure 9. Layout of multiple lateral stationary

sprinkler system. (Exterior sprinklers are shaded.)

category (column B, C, or F for an existing

system; column D, E, or G for a new or
expanded system). Add these. The sum is the
total irrigated acreage for the field.
Sprinkler spacing as a percentage of wetted

diameter is: 80 feet / 127 feet = 63 percent
multiple lateral or single lateral definition.
30 exterior sprinklers X 0.165 acres = 4.95 acres

System satisfies multiple lateral system
definition with lateral spacing equal to
63 percent of wetted diameter.
42 interior sprinklers X 0.129 acres = 5.42 acres

Total irrigated area of field
4.95 ac + 5.42 ac = 10.37 acres

Case II: Single laterals with uniform sprinkler

spacing along lateral. Figure 10 shows a typical
lateral and sprinkler pattern for a stationary sprinkler
system in narrow fields. Data and irrigated area must
be reported on a field-by-field basis. In this example,
fields are surrounded by drainage ditches spaced 330
feet apart. This existing system has one lateral per field
with model 100 guns.
To use the tables without interpolating, round

down the wetted diameter to 125 feet and the
lateral spacing to 60 percent of wetted diameter.
Using Table 3, for wetted diameter equal to 125
feet, existing system with multiple laterals, 60
percent lateral spacing, read

exterior sprinklers for each field (Field Data
Worksheet item 7). Referring to Figure 10,
treat each lateral as a single lateral; therefore,
you do not have to distinguish between interior
and exterior sprinklers. Number of sprinklers per
lateral = 4
area of interior sprinkler from Column (B) =

0.129 acres
area of exterior sprinkler from Column (C) =
0.165 acres
sprinkler by the number of sprinklers in each

diameter.
The Field Data Worksheet (item 3) shows the
sprinkler spacing along the lateral is 180 feet.
The wetted diameter (item 5) is 275 feet.
diameter is: 180 feet / 275 feet = 65.5 percent
System satisfies single lateral system definition
To pump
Figure 10. Layout of single lateral stationary sprinkler

system.
10
IRRIGATION SYSTEM

exterior sprinklers for each field (Field
Data Worksheet item 7). Referring to
Figure 11, treat all sprinklers the same.
with sprinkler spacing along laterals equal to

65.5 percent of wetted diameter.
Number of sprinklers per field = 7

To use the tables without interpolating, round

down wetted diameter to 270 feet and sprinkler
spacing to 65 percent of wetted diameter.

Using Table 4, wetted diameter equal to 270
feet, existing system with single laterals, 65
percent sprinkler spacing, read area of sprinkler
from Column (F)

diameter.
0.886 acres
The Field Data Worksheet (item 3) shows the

sprinkler spacing along the laterals ranges from
200 to 240 feet. The wetted diameter (item 5) is
275 feet.

sprinkler by the number of sprinklers per lateral.
This gives the CAWMP Irrigated Acreage for the
field.

diameter varies from:
4 sprinklers X 0.886 acres = 3.54 acres per field
200 feet / 275 feet = 72.7 percent

240 feet / 275 feet = 87.3 percent
Case III: Non-uniform sprinkler spacing along

lateral. Figure 11 shows an irregular sprinkler pattern
sometimes fitted to an odd-shaped field. This existing
system has seven irregularly spaced model 100 guns.

With irregular lateral and sprinkler spacings
varying from 72 to 87 percent of wetted
diameter, the system satisfies neither multiple
nor single lateral criteria. Therefore, treat it as an
excessively spaced sprinkler system.
based on pattern and spacing.
Using Table 6, for wetted diameter equal to 275
feet, existing system with sprinkler spacing
greater than 70 percent, read
area of sprinkler from Column G
0.80 for wetted dia. = 270 feet
0.86 for wetted dia. = 280 feet
Interpolating, area = 0.83 ac for wetted
dia. = 275 feet
To
Figure 11. Irregularly shaped field with nonuniform sprinkler spacing.
11

reviewed by state Division of Water Quality or Division

of Soil and Water field inspectors to determine whether
a wettable acre determination is indeed required. If so,
the Field Data Worksheets and Computational
Worksheet that follow will have to be completed for
stationary sprinkler or stationary gun systems and
added to the CAWMP. A wettable acre (WA) designated
technical specialist must complete and sign the
Computational Worksheet to certify that the irrigation
system can be operated so that the wastewater
nutrients are applied to appropriate areas. Step-by-step
procedures for completing the CAWMP wettable acres
determination have been developed, along with tables
from which irrigated acreage can be determined for
various irrigation system designs.

sprinkler by the number of sprinklers. Add these.
The sum is the total irrigated acreage for the
field.
7 sprinklers X 0.83 acres = 5.81 acres per field
Summary
Animal waste management operations that rely on
spray irrigation systems may be required to have a
wettable acre determination completed to ensure
nutrients contained in the wastewater are applied to
adequate land at agronomic rates. All CAWMP will be
CAWMP Wettable Acre Determination
Irrigation
system
status
Existing
No
Multiple
laterals
<70% of wetted
diameter
New/expanded
Yes
Multiple
laterals
Yes
No
Sprinkler spacing
along lateral < 70%
of wetted diameter
Excessively
spaced sprinklers
Table 6 Col. G
No
Yes
Sprinkler spacing
along lateral < 70%
of wetted diameter
Yes
Tables 1-5
Cols. D and E
No
Tables 1-5
Col. G
Multiple lateral
Tables 1-5
Cols. B and C
Single lateral
Tables 1-5
Col. F
Figure 12. Flowchart showing decision-making process for identifying which tables to use to determine
CAWMP wettable acres.
12
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
CAWMP Wettable Acre Terms

CAWMP wettable acrethe irrigated acreage that the SB 1217 Interagency Committee allows to be counted
toward the land application area requirement of the Certified Animal Waste Management Plan for existing irrigation
systems.
Effective design areathe portion of the wetted area that receives at least 50 percent of the target application
amount (applies to new or expanded irrigation systems).
Excessively spaced sprinklersprinkler spacing along a lateral that exceeds 70 percent of the verified wetted
diameter or 65 percent of the wetted diameter value published in manufacturers literature.
Existing irrigation systeman irrigation system that was installed before release of the third revision of the Sixth
Guidance Document.
Multiple lateral irrigation systeman irrigation system with two or more laterals equally spaced between 50
and 70 percent of the verified wetted diameter.
Net wetted areathe part of the field that gets wetted by two or more sprinklers operated with partially
overlapping radii (applies to existing irrigation systems).
New or expanded irrigation systemany component of an irrigation system that wets a portion of a field that
was not wetted before the CAWMP wettable acre rules were finalized.
Single lateral irrigation systeman irrigation system with only one lateral per field, or laterals spaced farther
apart than 70 percent of the verified wetted diameter.
Verified wetted diameterfield-measured distance from one side of a wetted perimeter to the opposite side of
the wetted perimeter.
Wetted areathe area that becomes wetted as a sprinkler rotates. It is the area within the circle inscribed by the
wetted radius.
Wetted diameterthe diagonal distance from one side of a wetted perimeter through the point of sprinkler
rotation to the opposite side of the wetted perimeter. Wetted diameter is twice the wetted radius.
Wetted radiusthe distance from a sprinkler to a point along the edge of the wetted perimeter. Wetted radius is
the distance the sprinkler throws water.
13

STATIONARY SPRINKLER SYSTEM

FIELD DATA WORKSHEET *
1.
Sprinkler make and model number ______________________________________________________________________
2.
Sprinkler nozzle size ______________________________________________________________________________ [inch]
3.
Lateral spacing _______________________ [feet] by sprinkler spacing along lateral _______________________ [feet]
4.
Operating pressure at the sprinkler __________________________________________________________________ [psi]
5.
Sprinkler wetted diameter ____________ [feet]. _____________ measured or ____________ determined from chart.
6.
Number of sprinklers operating at one time ______________________________________________________________
7.
Total number of sprinklers or sprinkler locations in the system

Exterior sprinklers: ____________________________ full circle_____________________________ part circle
Interior sprinklers: ____________________________________________________________________ full circle
Sprinkler locations permanently marked: _____________________ yes
8.
**9.
__________________________ no
Supply line ___________________________________ Permanent pipe ___________________________ Portable pipe

Lateral line size ________________________________ [inch]. If there is more than one size, indicate the size and
approximate length of each. Can be done on the map.
**10.
Lateral line length ________________________________________________________________ [feet]. (Longest lateral)
**11.
Supply line size __________________________________ [inch]. If there is more than one size, indicate the size and
approximate length of each. Can be done on the map.
**12.
Supply line length _____________________________________________________ [feet]. Maximum pumping distance.
**13.
Pump make and model number __________________________________________________________________________
**14.
Pump capacity _____________________________________________________________________________________ [gpm]
**15.
Engine make and model number _______________________________________________________________________, or
**16.
Electric motor horsepower and rpm ______________________________ [hp] ______________________________ [rpm]

Note: It is strongly recommended that you field measure the sprinkler wetted diameter. You should do this on the
longest lateral about half-way down the lateral.
*
**
Locate each sprinkler or sprinkler location on the map. Indicate whether it is full circle or part circle. Show the
location of the supply line. Irrigated acres are determined by lateral line, by zone, or by field.
Optional data, furnish where possible
*** Information furnished by
__________________________________
_________________________________
and/or
Signature of owner or facility representative
Signature of technical specialist
__________________________________
_________________________________
Printed name of owner or facility representative
Printed name of technical specialist
Date______________________________
Date_____________________________
*** Only the person or people collecting the data should sign the Field Data Worksheet.
14
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
STATIONARY GUN SYSTEM

FIELD DATA WORKSHEET *
1.
Gun make and model number ___________________________________________________________________________
2.
Gun nozzle size _________________ [inch], ________________ ring orifice, ___________________ taper bore orifice
3.
Lateral spacing ___________________________ [feet] by gun spacing along lateral ________________________ [feet]
4.
Operating pressure at the gun _______________________________________________________________________ [psi]
5.
Gun wetted diameter _______________ [feet]. ____________ measured or __________ determined from gun chart
6.
Number of guns operating at one time ___________________________________________________________________
Total number of guns or gun locations in the system ______________________________________________________

Exterior guns: ______________________________ full circle _________________________________ part circle
Interior guns: _________________________________________________________________________ full circle
Gun locations permanently marked: _____________________________ yes _________________________ no
8.
**9.
Supply line __________________________________ Permanent pipe _____________________________ Portable pipe

Lateral line size __________ [inch]. If there is more than one size, indicate the size and approximate length of
each. Can be done on the map.
**10.
Lateral line length ________________________________________________________________ [feet]. (Longest lateral)
**11.
Supply line size __________ [inch]. If there is more than one size, indicate the size and approximate length of
each. Can be done on the map.
**12.
Supply line length ___________________________________________________ [feet]. Maximum pumping distance.
**13.
Pump make and model number _________________________________________________________________________
**14.
Pump capacity ___________________________________________________________________________________ [gpm]
**15.
Engine make and model number _____________________________________________________________________, or
**16.
Electric motor horsepower and rpm ________________________________ [hp] __________________________ [rpm]

Note: It is strongly recommended that you field measure the gun wetted diameter. It should be done on the
longest lateral about half-way down the lateral.
*
**
Locate each gun or gun location on the map. Indicate whether it is full circle or part circle. Show the location of
the supply line. Irrigated acres are determined by lateral line, by zone, or by field.
Optional data, furnish where possible
*** Information furnished by
__________________________________
and/or
_________________________________
Signature of owner or facility representative
__________________________________
_________________________________
Printed name of owner or facility representative
Printed name of technical specialist
Date______________________________
Date_____________________________
*** Only the person or people collecting the data should sign the Field Data Worksheet.
15

STATIONARY SPRINKLER /GUN SYSTEM

WETTABLE ACRE COMPUTATIONAL WORKSHEET
1.
Farm number (identification)
_______________ Field number (identification) _______________
2.
Irrigation system designation
___________
Existing irrigation system
___________
New/expanded irrigation system
3.
Number of stationary sprinklers
___________
# Interior sprinklers
4.
Wetted diameter
___________
[feet] from Field Data Worksheet
5.
Spacing
___________
Sprinkler spacing along lateral [feet]
___________
Sprinkler spacing as a percentage of wetted diameter
___________
Multiple laterals
___________
Excessively spaced sprinklers
6.
7.
8.
Sprinkler pattern
__________ # Exterior sprinklers
___________ Single lateral
Read the irrigated area per sprinkler for the given wetted diameter from the appropriate table and
column based on pattern, spacing, and sprinkler location.
______ Acres per interior sprinkler from
Table _____
Column _____
______ Acres per exterior sprinkler from
Table _____
Column _____
Multiply the tabulated irrigated acreage value per sprinkler by the number of sprinklers of each
category in the field. Add all of these. The sum is the total irrigated acreage for the field.
______ (a) Acres per interior sprinkler X _______ # Sprinklers
= _________ Acres
______ (b) Acres per exterior sprinkler X _______ # Sprinklers
= _________ Acres
______ Total wettable acres for field (Sum: 8a + 8b)
Wettable Acre Computational Worksheet completed by: ___________________________________ Date:________________

16
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Table 1. Irrigated Area Allowances for Stationary Sprinkler Systems with Square Spacing
(Lateral and sprinkler spacing based on 50 percent of wetted diameter)
wetted
diameter
(feet)
Existing System with proper

overlap and multiple laterals
net wetted
net wetted
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)
New or Expanded System

with multiple laterals
design
design
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)
Existing
single
lateral
net wetted
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
New/Expanded
single
lateral
design
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
80
85
90
95
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
135
140
145
150
155
160
165
170
175
180
185
190
195
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
270
280
290
300
310
320
330
340
350
360
370
380
390
400
410
420
430
440
450
0.037
0.041
0.046
0.052
0.057
0.063
0.069
0.076
0.083
0.090
0.097
0.105
0.112
0.121
0.129
0.138
0.147
0.156
0.166
0.176
0.186
0.196
0.207
0.218
0.230
0.253
0.278
0.304
0.331
0.359
0.388
0.418
0.450
0.483
0.517
0.552
0.588
0.625
0.663
0.703
0.744
0.786
0.829
0.873
0.918
0.965
1.012
1.061
1.111
1.162
0.053
0.060
0.068
0.075
0.084
0.092
0.101
0.111
0.120
0.131
0.141
0.152
0.164
0.176
0.188
0.201
0.214
0.228
0.242
0.256
0.271
0.286
0.302
0.318
0.334
0.369
0.404
0.442
0.481
0.522
0.565
0.609
0.655
0.703
0.752
0.803
0.856
0.910
0.966
1.024
1.083
1.144
1.207
1.271
1.337
1.405
1.474
1.545
1.618
1.692
0.037
0.041
0.046
0.052
0.057
0.063
0.069
0.076
0.083
0.090
0.097
0.105
0.112
0.121
0.129
0.138
0.147
0.156
0.166
0.176
0.186
0.196
0.207
0.218
0.230
0.253
0.278
0.304
0.331
0.359
0.388
0.418
0.450
0.483
0.517
0.552
0.588
0.625
0.663
0.703
0.744
0.786
0.829
0.873
0.918
0.965
1.012
1.061
1.111
1.162
0.045
0.051
0.057
0.063
0.070
0.077
0.085
0.093
0.101
0.110
0.119
0.128
0.138
0.148
0.158
0.169
0.180
0.191
0.203
0.215
0.227
0.240
0.253
0.267
0.281
0.310
0.340
0.371
0.404
0.439
0.474
0.512
0.550
0.590
0.632
0.674
0.719
0.764
0.811
0.860
0.910
0.961
1.014
1.068
1.123
1.180
1.238
1.298
1.359
1.421
0.063
0.071
0.079
0.088
0.098
0.108
0.118
0.129
0.141
0.153
0.165
0.178
0.192
0.206
0.220
0.235
0.250
0.266
0.283
0.299
0.317
0.335
0.353
0.372
0.391
0.431
0.473
0.517
0.563
0.611
0.661
0.713
0.766
0.822
0.880
0.939
1.001
1.065
1.130
1.198
1.267
1.338
1.412
1.487
1.564
1.643
1.724
1.808
1.893
1.980
0.053
0.060
0.067
0.075
0.083
0.091
0.100
0.110
0.119
0.130
0.140
0.151
0.163
0.174
0.187
0.199
0.212
0.226
0.240
0.254
0.269
0.284
0.300
0.316
0.332
0.366
0.402
0.439
0.478
0.519
0.561
0.605
0.651
0.698
0.747
0.797
0.850
0.904
0.959
1.017
1.075
1.136
1.198
1.262
1.328
1.395
1.464
1.534
1.607
1.680
17

wetted
diameter
(feet)
(A)
80
85
90
95
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
135
140
145
150
155
160
165
170
175
180
185
190
195
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
270
280
290
300
310
320
330
340
350
360
370
380
390
400
410
420
430
440
450

net wetted
net wetted
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)

design
design
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)
(B)
(C)
(D)
0.044
0.050
0.056
0.063
0.069
0.077
0.084
0.092
0.100
0.109
0.117
0.127
0.136
0.146
0.156
0.167
0.178
0.189
0.201
0.213
0.225
0.238
0.251
0.264
0.278
0.306
0.336
0.367
0.400
0.434
0.469
0.506
0.544
0.584
0.625
0.667
0.711
0.756
0.803
0.851
0.900
0.951
1.003
1.056
1.111
1.167
1.225
1.284
1.344
1.406
0.061
0.068
0.077
0.085
0.095
0.104
0.114
0.125
0.136
0.148
0.160
0.172
0.185
0.199
0.213
0.227
0.242
0.257
0.273
0.290
0.306
0.324
0.341
0.359
0.378
0.417
0.458
0.500
0.545
0.591
0.639
0.689
0.741
0.795
0.851
0.908
0.968
1.029
1.093
1.158
1.225
1.294
1.365
1.438
1.513
1.589
1.668
1.748
1.830
1.914
0.044
0.050
0.056
0.063
0.069
0.077
0.084
0.092
0.100
0.109
0.117
0.127
0.136
0.146
0.156
0.167
0.178
0.189
0.201
0.213
0.225
0.238
0.251
0.264
0.278
0.306
0.336
0.367
0.400
0.434
0.469
0.506
0.544
0.584
0.625
0.667
0.711
0.756
0.803
0.851
0.900
0.951
1.003
1.056
1.111
1.167
1.225
1.284
1.344
1.406
18
Existing
single
lateral
net wetted
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
New/Expanded
single
lateral
design
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
(E)
(F)
(G)
0.051
0.057
0.064
0.072
0.080
0.088
0.096
0.105
0.115
0.124
0.134
0.145
0.156
0.167
0.179
0.191
0.204
0.216
0.230
0.244
0.258
0.272
0.287
0.302
0.318
0.351
0.385
0.421
0.458
0.497
0.538
0.580
0.623
0.669
0.716
0.764
0.814
0.866
0.919
0.974
1.031
1.089
1.148
1.210
1.272
1.337
1.403
1.470
1.540
1.610
0.068
0.077
0.086
0.096
0.106
0.117
0.128
0.140
0.153
0.166
0.179
0.193
0.208
0.223
0.239
0.255
0.272
0.289
0.307
0.325
0.344
0.363
0.383
0.404
0.425
0.468
0.514
0.562
0.611
0.663
0.718
0.774
0.832
0.893
0.955
1.020
1.087
1.156
1.227
1.300
1.376
1.453
1.533
1.614
1.698
1.784
1.872
1.963
2.055
2.149
0.057
0.065
0.073
0.081
0.090
0.099
0.108
0.118
0.129
0.140
0.151
0.163
0.176
0.188
0.202
0.215
0.229
0.244
0.259
0.274
0.290
0.307
0.323
0.341
0.358
0.395
0.434
0.474
0.516
0.560
0.606
0.653
0.702
0.754
0.806
0.861
0.917
0.976
1.036
1.098
1.161
1.227
1.294
1.363
1.434
1.506
1.581
1.657
1.735
1.814
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
wetted
diameter
(feet)

net wetted
net wetted
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)

design
design
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)
Existing
single
lateral
net wetted
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
New/Expanded
single
lateral
design
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
80
85
90
95
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
135
140
145
150
155
160
165
170
175
180
185
190
195
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
270
280
290
300
310
320
330
340
350
360
370
380
390
400
410
420
430
440
450
0.053
0.060
0.067
0.075
0.083
0.091
0.100
0.109
0.119
0.129
0.140
0.151
0.162
0.174
0.186
0.199
0.212
0.225
0.239
0.253
0.268
0.283
0.298
0.314
0.331
0.364
0.400
0.437
0.476
0.517
0.559
0.602
0.648
0.695
0.744
0.794
0.846
0.900
0.955
1.012
1.071
1.131
1.193
1.257
1.322
1.389
1.458
1.528
1.600
1.674
0.068
0.076
0.086
0.096
0.106
0.117
0.128
0.140
0.152
0.165
0.179
0.193
0.207
0.223
0.238
0.254
0.271
0.288
0.306
0.324
0.343
0.362
0.382
0.402
0.423
0.467
0.512
0.560
0.610
0.661
0.715
0.772
0.830
0.890
0.953
1.017
1.084
1.153
1.223
1.297
1.372
1.449
1.528
1.610
1.693
1.779
1.867
1.957
2.049
2.143
0.053
0.060
0.067
0.075
0.083
0.091
0.100
0.109
0.119
0.129
0.140
0.151
0.162
0.174
0.186
0.199
0.212
0.225
0.239
0.253
0.268
0.283
0.298
0.314
0.331
0.364
0.400
0.437
0.476
0.517
0.559
0.602
0.648
0.695
0.744
0.794
0.846
0.900
0.955
1.012
1.071
1.131
1.193
1.257
1.322
1.389
1.458
1.528
1.600
1.674
0.057
0.064
0.072
0.080
0.089
0.098
0.108
0.118
0.128
0.139
0.151
0.162
0.175
0.187
0.201
0.214
0.228
0.243
0.258
0.273
0.289
0.305
0.322
0.339
0.357
0.393
0.431
0.472
0.513
0.557
0.603
0.650
0.699
0.750
0.802
0.857
0.913
0.971
1.030
1.092
1.155
1.220
1.287
1.356
1.426
1.498
1.572
1.648
1.726
1.805
0.073
0.082
0.092
0.103
0.114
0.126
0.138
0.151
0.164
0.178
0.193
0.208
0.224
0.240
0.257
0.274
0.292
0.311
0.330
0.349
0.370
0.390
0.412
0.434
0.456
0.503
0.552
0.604
0.657
0.713
0.771
0.832
0.894
0.959
1.027
1.096
1.168
1.242
1.319
1.398
1.479
1.562
1.647
1.735
1.825
1.918
2.013
2.110
2.209
2.310
0.061
0.069
0.077
0.086
0.096
0.105
0.116
0.126
0.138
0.149
0.162
0.174
0.187
0.201
0.215
0.230
0.245
0.260
0.276
0.293
0.310
0.327
0.345
0.364
0.383
0.422
0.463
0.506
0.551
0.598
0.647
0.697
0.750
0.804
0.861
0.919
0.979
1.042
1.106
1.172
1.240
1.309
1.381
1.455
1.530
1.608
1.687
1.768
1.852
1.937
19

wetted
diameter
(feet)

net wetted
net wetted
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)

design
design
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)
Existing
single
lateral
net wetted
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
New/Expanded
single
lateral
design
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
80
85
90
95
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
135
140
145
150
155
160
165
170
175
180
185
190
195
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
270
280
290
300
310
320
330
340
350
360
370
380
390
400
410
420
430
440
450
0.062
0.070
0.079
0.088
0.097
0.107
0.117
0.128
0.140
0.152
0.164
0.177
0.190
0.204
0.218
0.233
0.248
0.264
0.280
0.297
0.314
0.332
0.350
0.369
0.388
0.428
0.469
0.513
0.559
0.606
0.656
0.707
0.760
0.816
0.873
0.932
0.993
1.056
1.121
1.188
1.257
1.328
1.401
1.475
1.552
1.630
1.711
1.793
1.878
1.964
0.075
0.085
0.095
0.106
0.117
0.129
0.142
0.155
0.169
0.183
0.198
0.214
0.230
0.247
0.264
0.282
0.301
0.320
0.339
0.360
0.380
0.402
0.424
0.446
0.470
0.518
0.568
0.621
0.676
0.734
0.794
0.856
0.921
0.987
1.057
1.128
1.202
1.279
1.357
1.438
1.522
1.607
1.696
1.786
1.879
1.974
2.071
2.171
2.273
2.378
0.062
0.070
0.079
0.088
0.097
0.107
0.117
0.128
0.140
0.152
0.164
0.177
0.190
0.204
0.218
0.233
0.248
0.264
0.280
0.297
0.314
0.332
0.350
0.369
0.388
0.428
0.469
0.513
0.559
0.606
0.656
0.707
0.760
0.816
0.873
0.932
0.993
1.056
1.121
1.188
1.257
1.328
1.401
1.475
1.552
1.630
1.711
1.793
1.878
1.964
0.063
0.072
0.080
0.089
0.099
0.109
0.120
0.131
0.143
0.155
0.167
0.180
0.194
0.208
0.223
0.238
0.253
0.270
0.286
0.303
0.321
0.339
0.357
0.376
0.396
0.437
0.479
0.524
0.570
0.619
0.669
0.722
0.776
0.833
0.891
0.951
1.014
1.078
1.144
1.213
1.283
1.355
1.429
1.506
1.584
1.664
1.746
1.830
1.916
2.005
0.078
0.088
0.098
0.110
0.122
0.134
0.147
0.161
0.175
0.190
0.205
0.221
0.238
0.255
0.273
0.292
0.311
0.331
0.351
0.372
0.394
0.416
0.439
0.462
0.486
0.536
0.588
0.643
0.700
0.759
0.821
0.886
0.953
1.022
1.094
1.168
1.244
1.323
1.405
1.489
1.575
1.664
1.755
1.848
1.944
2.043
2.144
2.247
2.353
2.461
0.065
0.073
0.082
0.091
0.101
0.111
0.122
0.134
0.145
0.158
0.171
0.184
0.198
0.212
0.227
0.243
0.259
0.275
0.292
0.309
0.327
0.346
0.365
0.384
0.404
0.445
0.489
0.534
0.582
0.631
0.683
0.736
0.792
0.849
0.909
0.971
1.034
1.100
1.167
1.237
1.309
1.383
1.458
1.536
1.616
1.698
1.781
1.867
1.955
2.045
20
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
wetted
diameter
(feet)

net wetted
net wetted
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)

design
design
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)
Existing
single
lateral
net wetted
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
New/Expanded
single
lateral
design
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
80
85
90
95
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
135
140
145
150
155
160
165
170
175
180
185
190
195
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
270
280
290
300
310
320
330
340
350
360
370
380
390
400
410
420
430
440
450
0.072
0.081
0.091
0.102
0.112
0.124
0.136
0.149
0.162
0.176
0.190
0.205
0.220
0.237
0.253
0.270
0.288
0.306
0.325
0.344
0.364
0.385
0.406
0.428
0.450
0.496
0.544
0.595
0.648
0.703
0.760
0.820
0.882
0.946
1.012
1.081
1.152
1.225
1.300
1.378
1.458
1.540
1.624
1.711
1.800
1.891
1.984
2.080
2.178
2.278
0.083
0.094
0.105
0.117
0.129
0.143
0.157
0.171
0.186
0.202
0.219
0.236
0.254
0.272
0.291
0.311
0.331
0.352
0.374
0.397
0.419
0.443
0.467
0.492
0.518
0.571
0.627
0.685
0.746
0.809
0.875
0.944
1.015
1.089
1.165
1.244
1.326
1.410
1.497
1.586
1.678
1.773
1.870
1.969
2.072
2.176
2.284
2.394
2.507
2.622
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0.082
0.093
0.104
0.116
0.128
0.142
0.155
0.170
0.185
0.201
0.217
0.234
0.252
0.270
0.289
0.308
0.329
0.349
0.371
0.393
0.416
0.439
0.463
0.488
0.513
0.566
0.621
0.679
0.739
0.802
0.868
0.936
1.006
1.079
1.155
1.233
1.314
1.398
1.484
1.572
1.663
1.757
1.853
1.952
2.054
2.157
2.264
2.373
2.485
2.599
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
21

Table 6. Irrigated Area Allowances for Stationary Sprinkler Systems on any Pattern Where
Lateral and Sprinkler Spacing Is Greater than 70 percent of Wetted Diameter
wetted
diameter
(feet)
Existing System with

multiple laterals
net wetted
net wetted
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)

design
design
area of an
area of an
interior
exterior
sprinkler
sprinkler
(acres)
(acres)
Existing
single
lateral
net wetted
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
Excessively
spaced
sprinklers
design
area of each
sprinkler
(acres)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
80
85
90
95
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
135
140
145
150
155
160
165
170
175
180
185
190
195
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
270
280
290
300
310
320
330
340
350
360
370
380
390
400
410
420
430
440
450
0.070
0.079
0.089
0.099
0.110
0.121
0.133
0.145
0.158
0.171
0.185
0.200
0.215
0.231
0.247
0.264
0.281
0.299
0.317
0.336
0.355
0.375
0.396
0.417
0.439
0.484
0.531
0.580
0.632
0.686
0.742
0.800
0.860
0.923
0.987
1.054
1.123
1.195
1.268
1.344
1.422
1.502
1.584
1.669
1.755
1.844
1.935
2.029
2.124
2.222
0.070
0.079
0.089
0.099
0.110
0.121
0.133
0.145
0.158
0.171
0.185
0.200
0.215
0.231
0.247
0.264
0.281
0.299
0.317
0.336
0.355
0.375
0.396
0.417
0.439
0.484
0.531
0.580
0.632
0.686
0.742
0.800
0.860
0.923
0.987
1.054
1.123
1.195
1.268
1.344
1.422
1.502
1.584
1.669
1.755
1.844
1.935
2.029
2.124
2.222
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0.070
0.079
0.089
0.099
0.110
0.121
0.133
0.145
0.158
0.171
0.185
0.200
0.215
0.231
0.247
0.264
0.281
0.299
0.317
0.336
0.355
0.375
0.396
0.417
0.439
0.484
0.531
0.580
0.632
0.686
0.742
0.800
0.860
0.923
0.987
1.054
1.123
1.195
1.268
1.344
1.422
1.502
1.584
1.669
1.755
1.844
1.935
2.029
2.124
2.222
0.070
0.079
0.089
0.099
0.110
0.121
0.133
0.145
0.158
0.171
0.185
0.200
0.215
0.231
0.247
0.264
0.281
0.299
0.317
0.336
0.355
0.375
0.396
0.417
0.439
0.484
0.531
0.580
0.632
0.686
0.742
0.800
0.860
0.923
0.987
1.054
1.123
1.195
1.268
1.344
1.422
1.502
1.584
1.669
1.755
1.844
1.935
2.029
2.124
2.222
22
Prepared by
Robert 0. Evans, PE; Biological and Agricultural Engineering Associate Professor
Ronald E. Sneed, PE, CID; Biological and Agricultural Engineering Professor, Emeritus
Ron E. Sheffield, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Extension Specialist
Jonathan T. Smith, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Extension Assistant
2,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $3741.25 or $1.87 per copy.
Published by
NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program opportunities are offered to all
people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
5/99-2M-DSB
E99-39143
AG-553-6

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Irrigated Acreage Determination Procedures

for Wastewater Application Equipment

North Carolina Cooperative

Irrigated Acreage Determination Procedures

Irrigation continues to be the most practical and cost effective method of

Irrigated Acreage Determination Procedures

satisfy the land application requirements in the

Net wetted area of

Figure 1. Wetted area of a stationary sprinkler

Net wetted area of

Figure 3. Relative position of interior and exterior

referred to as net wetted area. Due to overlap, some

drawn through the sprinkler in question. For the

Figure 2. Net wetted area for multiple sprinklers

Irrigated Acreage Determination Procedures

The system layout, including determination of

New or Expanded Irrigation Systems

Figure 6. Sprinkler spacing as a percent of wetted

the application depth drops below 20 percent.

Figure 5. Application depth as a function of

1. Standing just outside the wetted perimeter, observe

be applied to new or expanded systems. Spacings

2. Select one flag to mark the average distance of the

8. Compare the measurements for all three sprinklers

Directly measure the wetted diameter (footprint),

Pressure measurementThe wetted diameter can

Irrigated Acreage Determination Procedures

Flag to mark edge

Figure 8. Field determination of sprinkler wetted

to several laterals. This riser-pressure gauge assembly

Computations are not difficult; but they can become

Determining Irrigated Acreage

4. Determine whether the system satisfies the

has eight laterals of varying length laid out in the field.

wetted diameter but the sprinkler spacing along

1. Determine the number of interior and

If both the lateral and sprinkler spacing exceeds

Number of exterior sprinklers = 30

5. Read the irrigated area per sprinkler for the given

2. Determine whether the system in each field

If the lateral or sprinkler spacing falls between

System satisfies existing designation.

If the pattern is rectangular (rather than square

A flowchart summarizing the decision processes

Determining Irrigated Acreage

Figure 9. Layout of multiple lateral stationary

Irrigated Acreage Determination Procedures

category (column B, C, or F for an existing

Sprinkler spacing as a percentage of wetted

30 exterior sprinklers X 0.165 acres = 4.95 acres

42 interior sprinklers X 0.129 acres = 5.42 acres

5. Read the irrigated area per sprinkler for the given

Case II: Single laterals with uniform sprinkler

To use the tables without interpolating, round

1. Determine the number of interior and

area of interior sprinkler from Column (B) =

2. Determine whether the system in each field

Figure 10. Layout of single lateral stationary sprinkler

Supply line _________ Permanent pipe _ Portable pipe

Electric motor horsepower and rpm [hp] [rpm]

Supply line ______ Permanent pipe _ Portable pipe

Electric motor horsepower and rpm ______ [hp] [rpm]

_ Field number (identification) _

(b) Acres per exterior sprinkler X _ # Sprinklers