本手册描述了美国现有灌溉区普遍采用的最先进的管理、操作和维护实践和程序。“灌溉区”一词指的是任何公共或私人机构，无论该机构的具体名称如何，其提供的服务包括储存、输送和/或提供灌溉用水，或为农田提供排水服务。本手册并未试图描述供水系统的开发、新灌溉项目的规划、设计或施工，或农场用水。 对灌区和支持实际操作的人员的有效管理是灌溉企业成功的关键。灌溉系统的操作和维护 包括向农场供水所需的实际操作。本手册侧重于美国各地使用的相关实践和程序，但本手册可能在全世界范围内都很有用，尽管经济和文化差异可能需要对此类使用进行调整。

This manual describes state-of-the-art management, operation, and maintenance practices and procedures in general use by existing irrigation districts throughout the United States. The term "irrigation district"describes any agency, either public or private, regardless of the specific title of the organization, that provides the service of storing, conveying, and/or furnishing irrigation water, or providing drainage services to agricultural lands. The manual does not attempt to describe the development of a water supply, the planning, designing, or construction of a new irrigation project, or the use of water on farms.Effective management of an irrigation district and the personnel who support the physical operation is essential for the success of an irrigation enterprise. Operation and maintenance of an irrigation system includes the physical operation necessary to deliver water to the farms.This manual focuses on relevant practices and procedures used throughout the United States, but this manual could prove useful throughout the world even though economic and cultural differences may require adaptation for such use.