At the time of the report, new legislation threatened to make groundwater access more difficult in areas of the Southeastern peanut belt. Georgia, for example, had suspended new groundwater withdrawal in 41 (out of 159) counties. Access to surface water from flowing streams was also limited, and other proposed laws would regulate farm pond withdrawal. Thus, the decision to examine the potential of expanded irrigation from farm ponds, primarily from capturing and retaining runoff.

The research team assembled data on pond locations, used high-resolution imagery to identify additional ponds, calculated watershed responses to additional ponds using computer software, explored relevant questions and assembled background information on ponds. In addition, they initiated two graduate programs to assist in their research.

At the time of the report, farm ponds made up 41 percent of the primary water source for peanut farm irrigation, and ponds refilled with wells made up another 18 percent. Since less than 20 percent of Georgia’s irrigation systems that rely on surface water can obtain water directly from creeks or rivers, farm ponds are essential sources of collection and storage of water for irrigation. However, the capacity of these ponds is often insufficient for extended droughts, and too many rely on frequent refills by the rains that were inadequate to maintain soil moisture during those droughts. Direct evaporation and pond leakage also reduce the amount of available water.

The author posits that Georgia irrigators will benefit from programs that clean or increase the depth of farm ponds and minimize erosion or modify ground cover in pond rainfall capture areas to direct runoff of water to those catchments from non-production areas.