Yes, they are intelligent in some ways and must be to survive, but just looking at the steady long-term depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer [0] and the actual squandering of water as mentioned by GP, where spraying it in midday results in massive evaporation, they are clearly being stupid about usage [1], time-of-day optimization, etc. and dooming the area to soon become a barren wasteland.

The lack of drip irrigation used in more arid areas, jsut because they have water today, is kind of shocking, and stupid.

[0] https://www.mygeoquest.com/ogallala-aquifer-depletion-map-an...

[1] Unless cooling is somehow critical, or there is a fungus growth problem from watering at less-hot times of day.