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Abstract
Establishment of efficient farm irrigation practices is influenced by the knowledge the
irrigator has concerning both the economic and technological aspects of irrigation. The eventual
goal of water conservation research is to have water users establish conservation techniques as
parts of their continuing operating procedures. However, this will happen only when economic
incentives exist. The farm manager requires a basic understanding of the economics of water use
in order to evaluate adjustments to the irrigation system or management of water.
lEES (Irrigation Economics Evaluation System), a microcomputer model, has been
designed and developed to meet the need for conducting economic evaluation of adjustments to
irrigation systems and management techniques to improve the use of irrigated water. lEES can
calculate the operating costs for seven types of irrigation systems. It also can help compare which
type of irrigation system might be most economical for the manager to own and operate. In
addition to calculating the annual operating costs, the model has six options that can be used to
economically evaluate improvements in the pumping plant or the way the irrigation system is used
for crop production.