Sprinkler Irrigation Design Worksheet:

Designed Use: This sprinkler design spreadsheet has been developed for small, simple irrigation projects.
It's intended use is for a maximum NRCS Job Class of II under Practice Code (PC) 430-DD and PC 442.
This relates to a maximum of 600 GPM, 7 fps, and 80 psi working pressure.
This spreadsheet can only be used for wheeline or handline systems with buried PVC mainlines.
Recommend running the IWM, Irrigation Water Management Worksheet Dos program before or in conjunction
with this spreadsheet.
Steps;
Step 1 - "System design" (tab) must be run first. Fill in the required data input cells (gray with red numbers).
Step 2 - "Est. cost and other data" (tab) can be run after step 1. Fill in the required data input cells
(gray with red numbers). Some data is transferred from step 1 data input. This part of the spreadsheet
can be run to estimate the operating and maintenance costs and also calculate additional data
for NRCS documentation and/or the landowner.
Questions;
Questions can be directed to Greg R. Card, Civil Engineering Technician and the Redmond, Oregon
Service Center. Phone No. 541-923-4358 Ext. 115 or e-mail greg.card@or.usda.gov
Reference material used:
New - National Engineering Manual, Part 652, Irrigation Guide
New - National Engineering Manual, Part 623, Irrigation Water Requirements
Engineering Field Manual, Chapters 3, and 15
National Engineering Handbook, Section 15, Chapter 1, Soil-Plant-Water Relationships
National Engineering Handbook, Section 15, Chapter 8, Irrigation Pumping Plants
National Engineering Handbook, Section 15, Chapter 11, Sprinkler Irrigation
Rainbird Impact Sprinkler nozzle catalog and Rainbird Slide-ruler
Cornell Pump Catalog
Waterman Irrigation Catalog - ARV & PRV section
Resource data required to use this Spreadsheet;
Maps;
FSA aerial photos or farm plan , 7.5 min. topog. Map and soils map
Field visit;
Locate and determine what modications are needed to existing delivery system.
Landowners existing management & operation.
Landowners proposed management & operation of new system.
Type of irrigation system, I.e. wheeline or handline.
Proposed crop(s) and rotation crops.
Other recommended computer programs:
1.) Recommend running the IWM, Irrigation Water Management Worksheet - Dos program in conjunction
with this spradsheet.
2.) For the example job - Mr. Joker there is an AutoCAD LT version 12 file included called sprinkler.dwg.
Recommend using this drawing and making edits to text and layout as needed to meet your project.
Printing and Protection:
Each individual spreadsheet (tabs) within this Excel - Design Aid is set-up (margins, etc.)
to print to an HP 4MV laser printer.
All spreadsheets are protected from tampering with the formulas and text. If there is a need
to modify something, please contact me at the numbers and address above.

Readme - Sprinkler Design.xls

ed numbers).

spreadsheet

SPRINKLER IRRIGATION DESIGN WORKSHEET

USE; This Sprinkler design aid should not be used on any project larger than 600 GPM. Based upon NRCS Job Class II
on the Skill Matrix Worksheet for Practice Code (PC) 430-DD, Irrigation Water Conveyance, High Pressure plastic pipe
and PC 442, Sprinkler system design. DATA INPUT: Gray areas (red no.'s). DATA OUTPUT: White cells (Blue no.'s).

Landowner:
Address:
Prepared by:

Mr. Joker
1515 NE Rocky rd.
Klamath Falls, OR. 97601
Greg R. Card

INVENTORY:
Acres to Irrigate
80
Field Slope (%)
1
Type of System
X
Est. Ave. Wind Speed (mph)

County:
Klamath
Location:
Sec. 3, T3S, R13E
Checked by:
Date:
16-Sep-15

Water Source
Water Right (gpm)
Wheeline
Handline
5
Direction
NW

Soil;
Type (Description & Texture)
Forney - Loamy Fine Sand
Depth (ft.)
4
Max. Allowable Sprinkler Applic. Rate (in./hr.)
0.5
Total moisture holding capcity per foot increment
0-1
1-2
2-3
3-4
(in./in.)
0.12
0.12
0.12
0.12
(inches)
1.44
1.44
1.44
1.44
Total moisture holding capacity (in.)
5.76
Crop;
Planned Crop P. Grass
Rotation Crop
Mature Crop Root Zone Depth (ft.)
3
Moisture Allowable Deficiency (MAD %)
50%
Managed Root Zone depth (ft.)
3.5
Total water holding capacity at extraction depth (in.)
Crop Requirements;
Net moisture to be replaced (in.)
2.52
Design Irrigation System efficiency (%)
Gross Application (in.)
3.88
Crops peak Evaportranspiration use (in./day)
Maximum Irrig. Frequency (days)

none

Klamath

Date:
Job Class:

II

Ditch
896
Other

Soil No.

19 A

4-5
0
0

Climate Station

Klamath

See NEM, Part 652 Irrig.Guide, Chp. 3

See NEM, Part 652 Irrig.Guide, Chp. 4

5.04

Note: Not exact, uses ave. of all increments

See Table 2 below

65%
0.24

See NEM, Part 652 I.G., Chp.4 or Website

10.5

http://mac1.pn.usbr.gov/agrimet/

** SPRINKLER DESIGN:
Sprinkler spacing (ft.)
40
Lateral spacing (ft.)
60
Designed number of hours per set (hr's)
11.5
Application rate required (in./hr.)
0.34
Sprinkler head make Rainbird
Nozzle size (in.)
Model
30EWH
GPM
8.0
at PSI of
Calculated Applic. rate (in./hr.)
0.32

See Table 1 below

13/64
45

= Wetted Dia. (ft.)

106

Should be < or equal to App. Req'd and

maximum allowable for soil

Table 1

Table 2

Sprinkler spacing on laterals and mainline

should not exceed the following spacing based
on the wetted sprinkler diameter.
Ave. Wind Velocity

District:

Wind 0-4 MPH

Laterals

Mainline

Less than 5 MPH

0.5 x dia.

0.65 x dia.

5 MPH

0.5 x dia.

0.65 x dia.

10 MPH

0.5 x dia.

0.65 x dia.

Greater than 10 MPH

0.5 x dia.

0.65 x dia.

Wind 4-10 MPH

Wind 10-15 MPH

Depth of Water

Applic. Rate

Applic. Rate

Applied

< 0.5 in./hr.

> 0.5 in./hr.

< 2.0 in.

65

70

> 2.0 in.

70

75

< 2.0 in.

60

65

> 2.0 in.

65

70

< 2.0 in.

55

60

> 2.0 in.

60

65

** ATTACH a complete layout map showing elevations, pump location, water source, mainline layout, lateral
layout, nozzle spacing, riser spacing, all pipe lengths, air vacuum & press. Relief valves, thrust blocks, etc.
System Design - Sprinkler Design.xls Page 1 of 3

** LATERAL DESIGN:
Note: Recommended use with Rainbird slide ruler
Type and size
Alum wheeline 5" dia.pipe - 5' wheels
Note: Use largest field and longest lateral.
Laterals required (ea.)
1
based on set time & crop needs
Note: Check number of riser div. By moves per
day. Should be < or equal to Max. Irrig. Frequency

Total laterals on field(s)

2
Designed Ave. operating pressure for lateral (PSI)
Longest lateral:
Total (ft.)
No.

Spacing

GPM/Nozz.

Dia.

Nozzles
(ft.)
(in.)
33
40
8.0
5
0
0
8.0
0
Pressure loss in longest lateral (PSI)
Total number of nozzles in system (ea.)
** MAINLINE DESIGN:
System capacity (GPM)
Mainline material
PVC

45
1280

Friction

Total Friction

(PSI)
2.2
0
2.2
66

Loss (ft.)
5.1
0.0
9

Note: Longest lateral in the system.

Note: Use if lateral has two pipe sizes

<<---Allowable PSI Loss (20% of op. Press)
Note: All nozzles in system

Note: Recommended use with Rainbird slide ruler

528
PSI rating

C value for selected material

150
Dia.
Q
Nominal
Friction
Length
(GPM)
(ft.)
(psi/100 ft.)
(ft.)
528
8
0.22
660
264
6
0.2
660
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total pressure loss in mainline (ft.)

Note: Assuming all nozzles at design press.

125

ASTM

D-2241

IPS
PIP
Other

Total
Velocity
Friction Nominal dia.
Comments
Loss (ft.)
(FPS)
(explain water route thru mainline)
3.35
3.37
Pump to half way point on single mainline
3.05
3.00
Half way point to end, assume lateral at end
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
6.40

Warning: Desirable mailine velocities are < 5 fps (required on PVC and AC pipe). If analysis of
waterhammer has NOT been preformed, operating pressure should not exceed 72% of pipe rating(PVC).
ESTIMATED
PUMPING HEAD: (TDH)
Design Sprinkler Operating Pressure (ft.)
Elevation above pump (ft.)
Suction lift (ft.)
Friction Loss for Suction line (ft.)
Alum.
Friction Loss for Mainline (ft.)
Friction Loss for Lateral (ft.)
Friction Loss for Misc. items (ft.)
Estimated TDH (ft.)

115.5
17.5
3.5
0.06
6.4
5.1
6.0
154.0

ESTIMATED BHP REQUIRED:

Estimated pump efficiencey (%)
Estimated BHP for motor

78%
26.3

PUMP & POWER UNIT:

Type of power unit
Make and model
Nominal HP
Impellar size (in.)

50

8"/ 20'

<<<-- May be > than est. nozz. Press.(psi)

Note: Worst condtion + nozz. Height
Note; Lowest H20 surface to pump center
<<<---Suction line dia. (in.) / length (ft.)

All elbows, Hydrants, Valves, Tee's, etc.

Efficiency of pump only

The following pump fits the above data, if PC program is used, please attach.

Elec.
Cornell 3W
22.2
RPM
6.5
Trim

3600
0

Effic. of motor

90%

** ATTACH a complete layout map showing elevations, pump location, water source, mainline layout, lateral
layout, nozzle spacing, riser spacing, all pipe lengths, air vacuum & press. Relief valves, thrust blocks, etc.

System Design - Sprinkler Design.xls Page 2 of 3

SPRINKLER SYSTEM APPURTENANCES

PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE SIZING:

Reference 430-DD Practice Code

Note: Minimum valve orfice dia. Required

Specification:
Pressure relief valves shall be no smaller than 1/4 inch nominal diameter for each inch of the pipeline diameter.
And shall be set to open at a pressure no greater than 5 lbs/in. sq. above the pressure rating of the pipe.
Manfactures available sizes are; 2, 2.5, 3, 4, and 6 inch.
Explain local of ea. valve or show on drawing

Pipeline diameter (in.)

Min.valve diameter required (in.)

Local 1
8
2.0

Local 2
6
1.5

Local 3
0
0.0

Local 1
Local 2
Local 3

On "Z" pipe at pump

End of mainline

(round up to met manufactures sizes)

AIR AND VACUUM RELIEF VALVE SIZING:

Reference 430-DD Practice Code

Note: Min. clear opening size - orfice dia.

Specification:
The ratio of the air release valve diameter to the pipe diameter for the valve intended to release air when filling
the pipe should NOT be less than 0.10 .
Manufactures available sizes are; 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4 inch.
Explain local of ea. valve or show on drawing

Pipeline diameter (in.)

Min. valve diameter required (in.)

Local 1
8
1.2

Local 2
6
0.9

Local 3
0
0.0

Local 1
Local 2
Local 3

On "Z" pipe at pump (high point)

End of mainline

(round up to met manufactures sizes)

THRUST BLOCK REQUIREMENTS

Reference 430-DD Practice Code

Specification:
The pipe maunfactures recommendation for thrust control shall be followed. In absences of the pipe
maunfactures requirements, the following formula must be used in designing thrust blocks;
Where:
H=
D=
a=
B=

Local 1
154
0.666
45
1200

Local 2
154
0.5
90
1200

A=
L&W

2.0
1.4

1.6
1.3

Local 1
"Z" pipe at pump
(ft.) Maximum working pressure
Local 2
End of line
(ft.) Inside diameter of pipe
(deg.) Deflection angle of pipe bend
(lbs/ft.sq.) Allowable passive pressure of the soil - See Table 3 below
(ft.sq.) Area of thrust block required
(ft. ) Length and width of block, based on calculated A

Area of thrust blocks for desd ends and tees shall be 0.7 times the area of block required for a 90 degree
deflection angle of pipe bend.

Table 3
Depth of cover to the center of the thrust block
Natural soil material

2 ft.

3 ft.

4 ft

----------lbs per ft. sq. -----------

5 ft.

Sound Bedrock

8,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

Dense sand & gravel mixture (assumed 0 = 40deg.)

1,200

1,800

2,400

3,000

Dense fine to coarse sand (assumed 0 = 35 deg.)

800

1,200

1,650

2,100

Silt and clay mixture (assumed 0 = 25 deg.)

500

700

950

1,200

Soft clay and organic soils (assumed 0 = 10 deg.)

200

300

400

500

System Design - Sprinkler Design.xls Page 3 of 3

ESTIMATED OPERATING COSTS - BASED ON DESIGN

USE ; This spreadsheet has input data from the "Sprinkler Irrig. Design Worksheet". These cells have a
bold boundary.
DATA INPUT; Gray areas (red no.'s). DATA OUTPUT: White cells (blue no.'s).
Type of Lateral
Wheel Line Sprinkler System
Type of Pump
Electric Pump Pressure
Owner:
Mr. Joker
Date: ###
Location:
Sec. 3, T3S, R13E
Prepared by:
Greg R. Card
Crop Data:

Reference Info.
Design cropDesign crop Estimated
P. Grass
Crop 2
Total
Note: Use if two crops are grown under

Farm Operation Irr Data

Acres
Percent by Acres
Number of Irrigations
Weighted Average Irr.
Acres Irrigated, Passes
Estimated Irr Water Needs
Crops Peak ET Use (In/Day)
Net Inches
Gross Inches
Total Acre Feet
Weight. Consumptive Use

the same irrig. System

80.0
100%
12
12.00
960

0.0
0%
0
0.00
0

0.24
2.52
3.88
25.8
0.24

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.0
0.0

80.0
100%

From step 1
= Total no. of irrig./ sea. From IWM Program

12.00
960
See NEH, Part 652, Chp. 4 or Website

2.52

= Total moisture holding cap.for crop / MAD

25.8
0.24

= Total gross ACFT applied per irrigation

Annual Costs Per Acre

Reference Info.

Power Cost per Acre:

Annual Repair Cost per Acre:
Annual Deprec. & Interest per Acre:
Labor Cost per Acre:

$
$
$
$

36.33
4.42
38.31
20.42

Total Sprinkler Costs ($/Ac/Yr):

$ 99.48
$ 99.48
Maintenance Costs
Star Thistle Control:
Fencing (1.5Mi*$3,000/Mi, 9%, 25Yrs):
Pasture Planting ($50, 9%, 25Yrs):
Water Development (5*$1,000, 9%, 25Yrs):

99.48

$
$
$
$

15.00
5.09
4.73
5.66

Total Other Costs ($/Ac/Yr):

30.48

Total Improvement Costs ($/Ac/Yr):

$ 129.96

Annual Benefits Per Acre

Increase in AUMs/Acre:
Value of an AUM to Breakeven
on Pasture Improvement:
Design Data
Weighted Peak (ET) Use :
Net Water Applied, Inches/Irr:
Irrigation Frequency, Days Max:
Irr Application Efficiency Factor:
Gross Water Applied, Incher/Irr:
Set Application Time, Hours/Set:
Application Rate, Incher/Hour:

Reference Info.
8.0
$

Note: Est. increase with new system

16.24
Reference Info. & Formulas
0.24
2.52
10.50
65%
3.88
11.50
0.34

=NET INCHES/PEAK C U
From step 1
=NET INCHES/EFFIC
From step 1
=GROSS INCHES/PUMPING HOURS

Acres Irrigated:
Weighted Average No. Irrigations:

80.00
12.00
Est. Cost - Sprinkler Design.xls page 1 of 2

System Layout
Number of Laterals:
Acres/Lateral:
Length of Laterals:
Lateral Spacing on Main:
Acres Irrigated per Set:
Number Sets per Irrigation:
Total Number of Sets:
Annual Pumping Hours:
Weighted Days per Irrigation:
System Flow Rate, Gallons per Minute:
GPM/Acre:
Acre Feet Applied:
Total Dynamic Head at Pump, Feet:
Performanance Rate, Pumping Hr/Ac/Irr:

Reference Info. & Formulas

2
40
1,280.00
60.00
3.5
22.69
272.25
3130.88
10.87
538.0
6.72
310.15
154.05
3.26

Power
Pump Efficiency Factor:
Brake Horsepower:
Motor Efficiency Factor:
Electric Motor Horsepower, Input:
Kilowatt hours per Hour:
Total Kilowatt Hours Per Year:
Cost per Kilowatt Hour:
Standby Cost per Horsepower:
Power Cost per Year:
Power Cost per Acre:
Power Cost per Acre per Irrigation:

78%
26.8
0.90
29.8
22.25
69650.91
$0.0400
$4.50
$2,906.77
$36.33
$3.03

System Cost
Percent Interest Rate:
System Life, Years:
Main Line Cost:
Lateral Cost:
Per Lateral:
Pump, Motor and Sump:
$/Horsepower:
Total Cost:
Average Cost per Acre:
Percent Salvage Value
Percent Repairs for Life
Annual Repairs:
Annual Depreciation:
Annual Interest:
Total Depreciation and Interest:
Annual Repair Cost per Acre:
Annual Deprec. & Interest per Acre:

9.00
25
$14,000
$16,000
$8,000
$5,366
$200
$35,366
$442
33
25
$353.66
$947.80
$2,116.65
$3,064.45
$4.42
$38.31

From step 1
Note: If two different lenghts, use average.
From step 1
=(NO. LAT * L * W)/43560
=ACRES/ACRES PER SET
=(A *COMP IRR)/A PER SET
=SETS * HR PER SET
=((HRS/SET) * (SETS/IRR))/(24 HRS/DAY)
=APPLIC RATE * 452.54 * (A/SET)
=(GPM*PUMP HRS/SET*NO.SETS*60)/(7.48*43560)
From step 1
=PUMP HR/A-IRR

Reference Info. & Formulas

From step 1
=(GPM * HD)/(PUMP EFF * 3960)
=BRAKE HP/MOTOR EFFIC
=ELECTRIC MOTOR HP/1.34
Note: Use $0.04 if unknown, or contact Power Co.
=((KWH/YR) * RATE) +(HP OUT * STANDBY)

Reference Info. & Formulas

=NO. LAT*

$8,000

=HP *

$200

=(REPAIR PCT * TC)/YRS

=(TC - SALV)/YRS
=((TC + SALV)/2) * INT RATE

Annual Repair Cost per Pump Hour:

Annual Deprec. & Interest per Pump Hr:
Labor Cost per Acre:
$/Hour:
Hours/Lateral:

$0.11
$0.98
$20.42
6
0.50

=(($/HR*HR/LAT)/(AC/LAT/SET)) * AVE NO. IRR

Est. Cost - Sprinkler Design.xls page 1 of 2