Irrigation Training
and Research Center

:: Online Reports ::

ITRC has provided selected reports written by our staff for use online. Below, the report titles and other information have been provided. The hyperlink will take you to a download link or a table of contents. The table of contents lets you access individual chapters for reading and printing. A step-by-step process to view the reports has been provided below.

Directions for use:

1. Is Acrobat Reader installed on your system? (If so, proceed to 3)
2. If not, you need to download Acrobat Reader . . . Click Here.
3. Look below and find the report that you would like to read.
4. Click on the title of that report.
5. Click on the links to the chapters that you would like to read or print.

Click here for a list of the reports by subject or in alphabetical order.

Reports currently available online:

2008

 
ITRC Report No. R 08-001
Conversion to Groundwater Pumping with Drip/Micro Irrigation
Twenty-one irrigation districts in the Central Valley reported "conversion acres".  Conversion acres are those on which farmers used only groundwater for drip/micro irrigation although surface irrigation water was available.  The dominant factor that influences the conversion was the lack of flexible water delivery service to fields.  The extra energy required for groundwater pumping on the 73,000 conversion acres is estimated at 76,000,000 kW-hr/yr.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission

 
ITRC Report No. R 08-002
Irrigation District Energy Survey
The purpose of the survey was to establish a benchmark for the present status of the pumping systems used by agricultural water districts in California and to determine the districts' needs.  The needs discussed involve technical assistance, research grant and low-interest loan funding, and district-related policy issues.  Thirty agricultural water districts were selected for the survey.  These districts were selected based on energy use per acre of irrigated area, size, geographic location, and distribution infrastructure.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission

 
ITRC Report No. R 08-003
ITRC Drip Tape Problem Guide 

This publication is meant to help farmers, dealers, and manufacturers recognize and understand some of the problems that have been experienced with drip tape – problems that are quite different from manufacturing defects. Problems that are quickly detected and properly identified can often be remedied, or be avoided in the future.  The report addresses drip tape damage caused by pests, installation, emitter pressure, plugging, and other categories.

2007

 
ITRC Report No. R 07-001
Flap Gate
ITRC began to investigate early designs of Flap Gates in 1992. Originating in Holland in the 1940s, the Flap Gate is a simple, inexpensive hydraulic gate for automatic upstream water level control. This report includes information on design (the Microsoft Excel files available for download), installation, maintenance, water conservation and efficiency, cost, use, and benefits.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission

2006

ITRC Report No. R 06-002
Volumetric Water Pricing 
This report discusses the concept of volumetric pricing for irrigation water, separated into the following sections: 1) The justification for paying volumetrically, 2) The challenge of charging volumetrically, 3) Characteristics of volumetric charges and influencing factors, 4) Examples of irrigation projects with volumetric charges, and 5) A summary of necessary conditions for volumetric billing.

 
ITRC Report No. R 06-003
Non-Standard Structure Flow Measurement Evaluation Using the Flow Rate Indexing Procedure - QIP
This report details the proper installation and calibration techniques for hydroacoustic meters.  The calibration procedure developed as part of this study is called the Flow Rate Indexing Prcoedure (QIP).  The QIP can be competed by a professional technician with a boat-mounted Acoustic Doppler Profiler (ADP) or a standard current meter.  Once the QIP has been used to properly calibrate a hydroacoustic flow meter, the device can then measure and record the flow rate and volume in a channel to within +/- 6% of actual values.

 
ITRC Report No. R 06-004
Electric Motor Efficiency under Variable Frequencies and Loads
The primary research objective of this study was to determine motor efficiencies under varying speeds (induced by a VFD controller) and loads.  A broader objective was to provide sufficient information to designers and economists so that they could estimate total pumping plant power usage with a VFD-controlled installation.  Motors were tested with VFDs as well as across-the-line.

 

2005

ITRC Report No. R 05-002
Canal Flow Rate Measurement Guidelines - ITRC 2005: Hydroacoustic Meters
Hydroacoustic flow meters provide remote velocity sampling and integrated flow measurement based on the physical principle called the Doppler shift.

ITRC Report No. R 05-003
CEC Agricultural Peak Load Reduction Program - Final Report
The Agricultural Peak Load Reduction Program (APLRP) was developed by the California Energy Commission (CEC) in early June 2001, under the authority of Section 5(b) of California Senate Bill 5x.  This legislation arose from the blackouts and brownouts that hit the state of California during the 2000-2001 winter, caused by a severe imbalance in electricity supply.  The primary goal of SB 5x was to reduce peak period electric demand throughout California.  As a result of this program, water agencies throughout California exceeded expectations in regard to curtailing peak load and were able to do this with lower-than-expected funding.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission

 

2004

ITRC Report No. R 04-001
Well Efficiency Class - Technical Memorandum
ITRC conducted a well efficiency demonstration at Southern California Edison AgTAC building in Tulare, California in November 2003.
Sponsor: Southern California Edison AgTAC


ITRC Report No. R 04-002
Power Quality - Measurement and Conditioning Related to Variable Frequency Drives in Irrigation Districts
ITRC completed a study to examine the quality of electric power that supplies motors for irrigation pumps.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission


ITRC Report No. R 04-003
Irrigation District Observations on Large Diameter, Low Pressure Pipeline Materials
ITRC conducted a brainstorming session with representatives from irrigation districts and engineering firms to discuss replacement options for cast-in-place pipelines.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission


ITRC Report No. R 04-004
VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) Specifications for Irrigation District Applications
This information was compiled by ITRC under the Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) End Use Agricultural Sector Program, administered by the California Energy Commission, and includes specifications for standards, warranties, submittals, VFD size, and other technical details to aid districts in the selection and implementation of VFD systems.
Replaces ITRC Report No. R 03-002
Sponsor: California Energy Commission
 
ITRC Report No. R 04-005
Water Level Sensor Testing
The findings presented here are the continuation of a series of studies begun in 1998 to test water level sensors under a variety of hydraulic conditions.  This report is intended as a supplement to ITRC Report No. R 99-002, which describes the testing processes in detail and presents detailed results for the first 17 sensors tested.  The 2003 research, summarized in this report, includes the testing of five new sensors.
Sponsor: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region


ITRC Report No. R 04-006
Water Level Sensor Testing Summary
This is a summary brochure of the findings presented in ITRC Reports No. R 99-02 and R 04-005, a series of studies begun in 1998 to test water level sensors under a variety of hydraulic conditions.  This document is intended as a quick reference and includes the sensor selection guides and ratings tables from the previous reports. 
Sponsor: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region

 

2003

ITRC Report No. R 03-001
California Crop and Soil Evapotranspiration
The goal of this publication is to provide water users, consultants, water agency personnel, and others throughout California with information that will: (a) help individual water users with irrigation scheduling and system design and (b) help agricultural water agency personnel with water balances and future planning.
Sponsors:
California Dept. of Water Resources
California State University Agricultural Research Initiative


ITRC Report No. R 03-003
Reclamation Leaching for Salinity Buildup Under Drip/Micro Irrigation of Trees
ITRC conducted a reclamation leaching experiment in a pistachio orchard to quantify the leaching water required to remove salts from the effective root zone of trees. This experiment tested a new reclamation leaching technique - multiple lines of low-flow drip tape were used to apply water to the area of salinity accumulation along a tree row.
Sponsors:
California Dept. of Water Resources
California State University Agricultural Research Initiative


ITRC Report No. R 03-004
Salinity Patterns on Row Crops under Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) on the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley of California
The objectives of this study were to identify if there was detrimental salinity buildup in the uppers layers of soil caused by the usage of SDI on row crops, identify the extent of any detrimental salinity buildup, and identify successful and/or essential practices used by farmers who use SDI.
Sponsors:
California Dept. of Water Resources
California State University Agricultural Research Initiative


ITRC Report No. R 03-005
Soil Salinity Accumulation in Orchards with Drip and Micro-spray Irrigation in Arid Areas of California
A soil salinity accumulation study was conducted to examine the long-term impact of drip and micro irrigation on salinity build-up in orchards, focusing on the salinity concentration pattern across a soil profile. The study assessed the current level of salinity accumulation in orchards irrigated with drip/micro systems and provided information to support recommendations on the most effective and efficient leaching techniques.
Sponsors:
California Dept. of Water Resources
California State University Agricultural Research Initiative


ITRC Report No. R 03-006
California Agricultural Water Electrical Energy Requirements - Final Report
ITRC conducted an analysis of the energy used to supply water to California's agriculture and examined potential future trends in the agriculture water community to predict future energy requirements.
Sponsors:
California Energy Commission
California Institute for Energy Efficiency

ITRC Report No. R 03-007
Telog PR-31 Water Level Tracker
ITRC conducted a performance review of advanced electronic water level measurement technologies in irrigation applications. An example is the Telog PR-31 Level Tracker.
Sponsor: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region

ITRC Report No. R 03-008
ITRC Weir Stick
ITRC developed a new weir rule for open-channel flow rate measurement.
Sponsor: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region

ITRC Report No. R 03-009
Government Highline Canal - A Win-Win Solution
ITRC performed canal modernization on the Government Highline Canal in the form of automated canal structures, in-system storage, and new operational procedures that could significantly reduce operational spill. Updated July 2006
Sponsor: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region, Western Colorado Area Office

ITRC Report No. R 03-010
Underground Pipe Locating Demonstration at Arvin-Edison Water Storage District
ITRC arranged an underground pipe locating demonstration/presentation at the district in August 2003.
Sponsor: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region

ITRC Report No. R 03-011
Chemigation and Fertigation Basics for California
This article answers basic questions about chemigation and fertigation, including definitions, safety concerns, general rules, and hints for fertigation systems.
Sponsor: California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR)

 

2002

ITRC Report No. R 02-001
Evaporation from Irrigated Agricultural Land in California
The intent of this research was to consolidate existing information on evaporation through literature reviews and interviews, and to compute evaporation amounts for representative conditions in California and use those amounts to extrapolate information for the complete irrigated agricultural area of California. This research was to address the question of the approximate magnitude of evaporation - a key piece of knowledge when defining the level of resources that should be committed to solving any problem.
Sponsor: CALFED


ITRC Report No. R 02-002
Side Mounted Doppler Flow Meter for Canals
The Irrigation Training and Research Center has undertaken a performance review of advanced electronic flow measurement technologies in irrigation applications.
Sponsors: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California Energy Commission


ITRC Report No. R 02-003
Infrared Inspection
Infrared thermography is the use of infrared radiation to qualitatively and quantitatively express heat signatures and heat differences. Infrared inspection can help identify weak connections in an electrical box, uneven heating of pump windings, overheating of bearings, and many other possibly devastating problems well before any failure occurs. The use of thermography as a preventative tool can increase system reliability and efficiency.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission


ITRC Report No. R 02-004
Doppler Flow Meters for Turnouts
Irrigation districts, farmers and other agricultural and environmental water users need reliable and low-cost flow meters with integrated dataloggers to measure water velocity and depth with a high level of precision. The Irrigation Training and Research Center has undertaken a performance review of advanced electronic flow measurement technologies in irrigation applications. Examples are the Unidata STARFLOW and the MACE AgriFlo Ultrasonic Doppler Meters.
Sponsors: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California Energy Commission


ITRC Report No. R 02-005
Crop and Soil Evapotranspiration for California
(Replaced by ITRC Report No. R 03-001)


ITRC Report No. R 02-006
Variable Frequency Drives and SCADA - Are they worthwhile investments?
Managers and personnel from five California irrigation districts were interviewed to determine if installing variable frequency drives (VFD) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems were worthwhile investments.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission


ITRC Report No. R 02-007
Benchmarking of Flexibility and Needs 2002
Survey of Non-Federal Irrigation Districts
ITRC interviewed irrigation district personnel from 17 agricultural districts throughout California. Data were analyzed to determine the degree of water delivery flexibility provided to farmers and the extent of existing and planned district modernization. This report did not include irrigation districts with long-term federal contracts.
Sponsor: California Department of Water Resources


ITRC Report No. R 02-009
Variable Frequency Drives - Planning your system
Many irrigation districts are installing Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to increase their level of service to their customers and/or to reduce their energy consumption.  This brochure is intended to help irrigation districts properly evaluate what type of VFD they need and how to install it.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission


ITRC Report No. R 02-010
Basic Design of Replogle Flumes
To facilitate accurate flow measurement, this paper describes specific design and construction considerations applicable to Replogle flumes in irrigation applications.  A design example is provided to illustrate these concepts.
Sponsor: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region

 

2001

ITRC Report No. R 01-001
Pumped Storage: Simple Changes - Big Savings
Several California irrigation districts achieved savings on electrical energy charges by implementing various types of pumped storage systems. Pumped storage uses some type of reservoir to store pumped water at a higher elevation than the original water supply. During times of peak statewide electricity demand, pumping is reduced while water is withdrawn from the reservoir which acts as a buffer.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission


ITRC Report No. R 01-002
Load Monitoring System
Arvin-Edison Water Storage District received a loan - from the CEC's loan program for the development of new energy conservation technology - in 1995 to develop a program with variable frequency drives. This report discusses the design of the "Load Monitoring System", cost, the need for such a system, initial start-up challenges, configuration options, and benefits.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission


ITRC Report No. R 01-004
Bottom Mounted Doppler Flow Meter for Canals
Doppler technology, similar to that used by meteorologist to track weather patterns, has been developed and expanded to fill the need for advanced water flow measurement technology that is relatively easy to use, applicable to various hydraulic conditions, and very accurate. This report discusses the operation of doppler units, provides a comparison of the technology, benefits, cost, and use.
Sponsors: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California Energy Commission


ITRC Report No. R 01-005
Adjustable Magnetic Coupler
Efficiency in terms of power consumption is vital and continues to be increasingly important. The use of adjustable speed pumps can reduce energy consumption and improve controllability of pressure or flows. One such technology, the MagnaDrive coupler, has been developed for service in a variety of applications.
Sponsor: California Energy Commission


ITRC Report No. R 01-006
Lookout vs. Intellution Comparison
A systematic evaluation was performed on two Human Machine Interface software packages (Lookout from National Instruments and iFIX from Intellution). This was accomplished with a simulated, automated water level control system, using a Control Microsystems SCADAPack PLC. Through the evaluation, Lookout clearly outperformed iFIX in nearly all categories.


ITRC Report No. R 01-007
Irrigation Consumer Bill of Rights
Cal Poly ITRC, together with various irrigation industry leaders and the Irrigation Dealers Association of California, plus with assistance from the California Energy Commission and Pacific Gas & Electric Co., developed the Irrigation Consumer Bill of Rights (ICBR) in 1994. 


ITRC Report No. R 01-008
Rapid Appraisal Process and Benchmarking
The Rapid Appraisal Process (RAP) was documented by Charles Burt and Stuart Styles in the Food and Agriculture (FAO) publication Water Reports 19 - Modern Water Control and Management Practices in Irrigation. ITRC Report R 01-008 provides an update of the spreadsheets used to record field data. The spreadsheets now automatically compute various internal and external indices and summarize them. The recent IPTRID benchmarking indicators are also computed. Links to all three of the documents below are provided and must be downloaded for a complete set.

• Rapid Appraisal Process and Benchmarking.doc (PDF Document)
• Rapid Appraisal Process (RAP) and Benchmarking BLANK.xls (EXCEL Document)
• Rapid Appraisal Process (RAP) and Benchmarking EXAMPLE.xls (EXCEL Document)

ITRC Report No. R 01-009
Proceso de Evaluacion Rapido (RAP) y Comparacion con el Patron de Referencia (Benchmarking)
Este documento explica el proceso del diagnostico rapido para proyectos de riego (sistemas de canales). El proceso fue desarrolado por Drs. Charles Burt y Stuart Styles por parte del Banco Mundial y el FAO. El documento explica una programa en EXCEL. Tambien hay dos spreadsheets de EXCEL abajo - uno blanco, y otro para un ejemplo del proceso de diagnostico rapido.

• Proceso de Evaluacion Rapido (RAP) y Comparacion con el Patron de Referencia (Benchmarking)
• RAP en Espanol -Blanco.xls (EXCEL Document)
• RAP en Espanol -Ejemplo.xls (EXCEL Document)

ITRC Report No. R 01-010
Remote Monitoring and Control - System Set-Up
This SCADA report presents a basic step-by-step outline for setting up and configuring a system for the remote monitoring and control of equipment. For demonstration purposes, it refers specifically to a system set up by ITRC for testing water level sensors.


ITRC Report No. R 01-011
Evaluation and Modification of a Float Valve for the Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District (DEID)
This report discusses the evaluation and modification of a float valve for the Delano Earlimart Irrigation District (DEID).  The float valve is one part of the system that DEID uses to meet growers' water needs.  The float valve assembly includes a frame, float, guide for the float, linkage, and a butterfly valve.  Preliminary tests showed that waterhammer was evident at DEID and posed a potential problem.  After working with DEID and making two modifications to the float valve, field tests indicate that corrections made to the assembly improved the operation and aids in the prevention of waterhammer.  


 

2000

ITRC Report No. R 00-002
SCADA System Cost and Feature Comparison
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). Range of options - from simple water level alarm to fully automated control capability.
This report is no longer available for download.  The information is distributed through ITRC SCADA workshops only.


ITRC Report No. R 00-004
Evaluation of Anti-fouling Paints
Algae and other growth on Replogle flumes, often used as flow measurement devices in irrigation canals, can effect the accuracy of measurements in those canals. Research was conducted to find a product that would prevent buildup on the flumes. Hard Anti-fouling paint, designed to be applied to concrete rather than fiberglass, wood, steel or iron, was the type of paint used in this study.
Replogle flume, Hard Anti-fouling paint, flow measurement, irrigation canals, cuprous oxide
Sponsor: USBR, Yuma Area Office


ITRC Report No. R 00-005
Benchmarking of Flexibility and Needs 2000
Survey of Irrigation Districts
ITRC interviewed irrigation district personnel from 60 agricultural district representing approximately 91% of the irrigated acreage within the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation's (USBR) Mid-Pacific Region. The purpose of this Survey was to: identify the extent of flexibility of water delivery presently offered by irrigation and water districts to farmers; identify educational programs in which districts currently participate or have accomplished; and identify improvements which can be made in regards to technology and water conservation and what types of assistance districts will require in the future to make those improvements.
Sponsor: USBR, Mid-Pacific Region


ITRC Report No. R 00-006
Actuators for Sluice Gates - Alternatives to Commercially Available Products
Gate actuators provide a method of raising and lowering canal gates using electric motors instead of human power. ITRC has investigated four alternatives to commercially available actuators designed specifically for the operation of canal gates.
Canal gate actuator, sluice gate actuator, screw jack . . .
Sponsors:USBR, Mid-Pacific Region and USBR, Yuma Area Office

 

1999

ITRC Report No. R 99-001
Simple, Portable Water Level Monitoring Package
Supplemental report to "Water Level Sensor and Datalogger Testing and Demonstration"
Covers the details necessary to to put together a simple, portable water level monitoring package.
Sponsor: USBR, Mid-Pacific Region


ITRC Report No. R 99-002
Water Level Sensor and Datalogger Testing and Demonstration
Electronic water level sensing equipment is becoming increasingly important for the implementation of water conservation programs in irrigation districts. A need has risen for information on costs, advantages/disadvantages, required support equipment, and required maintenance for the various options. ITRC conducted a yearlong study on water level sensors and dataloggers and produced this report.
Sponsor: USBR, Mid-Pacific Region


ITRC Report No. R 99-003
Managing District Data Needs - Narrowing in on a Moving Target
Ditchriders in San Luis Water District, Panoche Water District, Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District, Westside Water District, glide-Kanawha Water District, and Central California Irrigation district use or are beginning to use hand held data recorders (HHDR) to gather field information.
Sponsor: USBR, Mid-Pacific Region


ITRC Report No. R 99-004
Hand Held Data Recorder (HHDR)
An HHDR is used to collect data from the field and to download that data to a database to generate reports for meters in the irrigation districts.
Sponsor: SBR, Mid-Pacific Region


ITRC Report No. R 99-005
District Application of Hand Held Data Recorder Technology
A hand held data recorder (HHDR) enables a district to collect field data in a quick and virtually error-free manner. The data gathered with HHDRs depend on each district's needs: meter readings-totalizer, meter flow rates, crop type and double crop tracking, crop growth stage, meter status, maintenance codes for meter repairs, maintenance codes for meter area, water use type, pump runtimes, weather data, and power meter readings.
Sponsor: USBR, Mid-Pacific Region
 

1998

ITRC Report No. R 98-001
Modern Water Control and Management Practices in Irrigation: Impact on Performance
This research addressed the basic questions of what levels of water delivery service are presently provided by irrigation projects having some aspect of modernization; what hardware and software features impact those levels of service; whether modern water control and management practices in irrigation make a positive difference in performance; and what universal lessons can be learned and applied.  The full published report is also available from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO Water Report 19, ISBN 92-5-104282-9, publications-sales@fao.org


ITRC Report No. R 98-002
Drip/Micro Irrigation Survey for Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District
DEID obtained a grant from USBR Mid-Pacific region to examine perceptions of its farmers regarding future conversions to drip and micro-irrigation. DEID then contracted with the Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to conduct and analyze a survey of DEID farmers with the objectives of answering several questions. This report presents the pertinent data and results from the survey.
 

1996

ITRC Report No. R 96-001
Row Crop Drip Irrigation on Peppers Study - High Rise Farms
A 3-year study was completed on a commercial field of approx. 50 acres.  Design and management support were provided, and improvements were documented in both irrigation efficiency and energy efficiency.


ITRC Report No. R 96-002
Row Crop Drip Irrigation on Bell Peppers Study - Underwood Ranches
A 3-year study was completed on a commercial field of approx. 50 acres.  Design and management support were provided, and improvements were documented in both irrigation efficiency and energy efficiency.


ITRC Report No. R 96-003
Buried Drip Irrigation on Pistachios Study - Munger-Poonian Land and Farming Co.
A multi-year study and technical support were conducted on commercial fields of pistachios, apples, table grapes, wine grapes, and blueberries in central California. The learning curve required by growers, and energy and irrigation efficiencies was documented.


ITRC Report No. R 96-004
Status and Needs Assessment: Survey of Irrigation Districts - USBR Mid-Pacific Region
ITRC gathered data from 61 agricultural districts in the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation's (USBR) Mid-Pacific Region by interviewing irrigation district personnel and studying their Water Conservation Plans.  These districts comprise about 90% of the irrigated acreage in the Mid-Pacific Region.  Data were analyzed to determine general demographic information, the degree of water delivery flexibility provided to farmers, and the extent of existing and planned district modernization.
 

1995

ITRC Report No. R 95-001
Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District: Variable Frequency Drive Study
This study examined the pump station operation at Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District after the installation of a variable frequency drive (VFD) control.  A detailed evaluation was made in order to develop specific recommendations on the operation and use of VFDs.

 

1994

ITRC Report No. R 94-002
Estimating the Payback for an Electrical VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) Application in a Pumping Plant Which Presently Spills Excess Pumpage
This report includes equations and tips for pump selection criteria and estimating the annual KW-HR savings for a VFD installation, including the maximum potential savings and the approximate amount of KW-HR that would have been consumed if one pump had been converted to VFD.