About ITRC

 

 

 

ITRC is a center of excellence housed within the BioResource and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) Department of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo.  The linkage to the BRAE Department is unique among irrigation centers - ITRC's organization was specifically developed as such to ensure long-term positive benefits to Cal Poly's academic irrigation teaching program -  which provides long-term benefits to California and the nation. Cal Poly and ITRC are proud of their ability to combine sophisticated theory with a "hands-on" approach to provide a usable product. Many of the educational services that ITRC provides are made possible by our supporters and their generous donations of services, equipment, and funds. Water Delivery Facility

 

ITRC was officially formed in 1989, and continues to be self-supporting through contracts. The first commitment of ITRC is to enhance Cal Poly's strong irrigation teaching program through outside activities in training, research, and technical support. Focus areas include:

 

 

Class at Water Resources FacilityITRC's modern engineering offices, in addition to providing professional resources for ITRC staff, also house two training rooms and office space for both graduate and undergraduate students.  Outdoors is the unique Water Resources Facility to demonstrate pumps, pump testing, flow measurement, SCADA, and canal automation.  Additionally, the outdoor Irrigation Practices Field contains a complete assortment of on-farm and landscape irrigation systems and equipment.

 

The center is run by Dr. Charles Burt (Chairman and Founder) and Dr. Stuart Styles (Director) - both recognized internationally as irrigation experts - with an excellent professional staff of 13 persons.  Additionally, 15-25 students are hired at any one time to provide support.  ITRC utilizes specialists from within and outside the university to provide additional expertise.  As an example, ITRC has worked for several years with an international team to develop sophisticated canal automation algorithms.

 

ITRC is active throughout the western U.S. and the world in irrigation research, technical assistance, and environmental/energy assessments.  For example: