Irrigation Scheduling with the Neutron Probe

by Douglas G. Welch, Jr., Imperial Irrigation District, Imperial, CA, USA,
Denise A. Granahan, Imperial Irrigation District, Imperial, CA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Development and Management Aspects of Irrigation and Drainage Systems

Abstract:

In 1981, the Imperial Irrigation District in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Reclamation started a demonstration irrigation scheduling program on 15,000 acres (6,075 ha). Neutron probes were used to monitor soil moisture and schedule irrigations. Water level recorders were used to measure delivery and tailwater. The irrigation scheduling program is part of a larger four year study, Water Conservation Opportunities, Imperial Irrigation District, in which the Bureau of Reclamation estimates potential on-farm water conservation opportunities of 125,000 acre-feet (154,250 cubic dekameters). Predicting irrigation dates and the amount of water to be applied has improved irrigation efficiency on many of the fields in the program.

Subject Headings: Water conservation | Soil water | Irrigation districts | Irrigation | Water resources | Water reclamation | Probe instruments | United States

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search