Erosion Control Assistance
| |
Acres Enrolled |
Estimated Tons of Soil Saved |
Cost Share Provided per Ton |
| 1999 |
933 |
1314 |
$1.41 |
| 2000 |
1566 |
7562 |
$1.00 |
| 2001 |
2737 |
12418 |
$0.59 |
| 2002 |
1928 |
9774 |
$0.64 |
| 2003 |
1702 |
8190 |
$0.67 |
| 2004 |
1787 |
8599 |
$0.80 |
| 2005 |
2145 |
7353 |
$0.75 |
| 2006 |
3358 |
11180 |
$0.49 |
| 2007 |
1929 |
6424 |
$0.83 |
Apply for cost share funds by reading the Pam Cost Share Letter and completing the required forms
PAM or polyacrylamides are applied to irrigation water in order to reduce erosion on agricultural fields throughout Kittitas County. This sheet is a basic guide to getting started with PAM applications. For more in-depth information, please call or stop by the Kittitas County Conservation District office at 607 E Mountain View, Ellensburg WA 98926 or talk to your agricultural chemical dealer.
PAM is applied in two general forms - solid and granular. Solid PAM is usually in the shape of a small tablet or a larger block. The tablet is placed at the head end of the furrow under the stream of water from the gated pipe or siphon tube. One tablet generally treats about 400'. The blocks are used in the head ditch to treat the water. The blocks need a turbulent location in order to break down and move in to the water.
The granular form of PAM is applied using two methods- metered by machine into the head ditch or placed in a long patch at the head end of the furrow. Several machines are used to meter it into the head ditch including gandy box, missile machine, jug dispenser and fish feeder. The premise of all of these machines is to meter the PAM into the water at a rate of 10 parts per million (equivalent to 0.6 ounces per minute for a foot of water). The PAM needs to be metered into turbulent water in order to ensure adequate mixing. Granular PAM that is applied to the furrow is spread in a long thin patch along the side/bottom of the furrow. Easy to use applicators are available for purchase at local businesses.
Deciding which method is right for you is dependent on your situation. If your water is relatively clean, metering is a good way to ensure that your concentration stays consistent, although the equipment can sometimes be challenging. Metering PAM into your head ditch is not a good idea if your irrigation water is high in sediment as the PAM will settle the sediment into your head ditch or gated pipe and not be as effective in the field. Metering is a one time application, while the in-furrow methods require hand placement of PAM in each furrow. The benefits of the in-furrow patch method include ensuring every furrow is treated, and not worrying about equipment problems or whether or not your water is turbulent enough for mixing. Tablets are very convenient application method involving no equipment, although the tablets sometimes float/roll away or some tablets dissolve faster than others so the application rate is not as consistent as is recommended. These methods may also be combined (e.g., furrow patch method and a block of PAM in the head ditch) for maximum benefit.
After deciding on an application method, you should read the attached fact sheets that provide application tips. One of the most important considerations is that THE FIRST DROP OF WATER SHOULD BE TREATED BY PAM. If dry soil first becomes wet by contact with untreated water, the soil structure and soil pore geometry will be severely degraded almost immediately. PAM flowing down the furrow only a few seconds later will have a greatly diminished ability to reduce erosion or improve infiltration.
USDA page on PAM Research Project: http://sand.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/pampage.shtml
Contact the KCCD at (509) 925-8585 ext. 4, for more information.
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