Here in the semi-arid High Plains, water is economic life. Irrigation systems supporting crops such as sugar beets, beans, and potatoes have enabled communities and businesses in this area to thrive.
Irrigation water from snowmelt in the mountains flows from rivers to irrigation canals to “laterals” and then to irrigation ditches on a farmer’s land.
In the early years, farmers would use a shovel to cut slots into the sides of their earthen irrigation ditches to allow water to flow into their crop rows, and then close up the hole again to stop the water flow. This method of irrigation was labor-intensive and could result in uneven watering across a field as the soil eroded around these slots.
The introduction of siphon tubes to irrigation was a great improvement. Siphon tubes delivered a more consistent volume of water to the crop rows and could be easily shut off by pulling out the siphon tube.
Generations of farm families have learned the art of “setting tubes,” and now you can, too!
Volunteers at Legacy of the Plains Museum have set up a section of historic concrete irrigation ditch near the tree row east of the museum parking lot. Pieces of canvas serve as dams on either end of the concrete structure to hold in the water.
Here’s how to try your hand at setting a siphon tube:
1. Use the hose to fill the concrete ditch section with water.
2. Pick up a siphon tube. Notice how one end (“end A”) has an extra curve upwards compared to the other end? That extra curve helps to direct the flow of water out of the tube so it doesn’t wash away the soil in the crop rows. So, “end B” is the “entrance” for the water and “end “A” is the “exit.”
3. Put “end B” of the siphon tube into the water. Angle it to get as much of the tube into the water as you can.
4. Place your hand at the other end of the siphon tube so you can close off the end with the palm of your hand.
5. The tricky part: “pump” the tube back and forth, pressing your palm tightly against the tube opening as you pull back, and releasing the tube as you push forward. This video, from an Australian cotton farm, gives an idea of how it’s done.
6. When water starts to spray from the tube, quickly lay it down where you want the water to go so the “exit” end is lower than the “entrance” end – this is what sets up the gravity flow. (PLEASE: DIRECT THE WATER INTO THE EMPTY SIDE OF THE CONCRETE DITCH, NOT INTO THE DIRT, SO MUD IS MINIMIZED. THANKS!)
If you don’t get it on the first try, keep trying! There’s a knack to getting the timing right to make siphon tubes flow – it comes with practice.
Copyright 2014 by Legacy of the Plains