In many circumstances, border irrigation can be viewed as an expansion of basin irrigation to include long rectangular or contoured field shapes, longitudinal but no lateral slope, and free draining or blocked conditions at the lower end. (Walker 2003)

In border irrigation, a field is divided into strips separated by border ridges running down the slope of the field. The width of the stripes is usually from 6 to 30 meters. The area between the ridges is flooded during irrigation. Border irrigation is used for tree crops and for crops as alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and small grains. (UCCE 2003)