An Evaluation of Range Floodwater Spreaders

Range floodwater spreaders are systems of dikes constructed to automatically divert flood flows from gullies and spread them over adjacent range land. The primary purpose of the investigation was to determine what factors influence vegetal response to this supplemental moisture. Forage was established and produced only on sites that received at least one flooding per year. Forage production per unit of water was less when water was ponded and could not drain completely from the soil surface. The total moisture retention capacity of the A and B horizons had more influence than soil texture on the amount of forage produced.