Progress 12/01/10 to 10/01/15
Outputs
Target Audience:My target audience was students, agricultural producers, irrigation district operators and managers, and researchers. I tried to produce tools that could be readily used by these people. Changes/Problems:We had one problem that arose. We hoped that the irrigation districts would have been able to use the gate drawings to manufacture and install control gates at this point but the extended drought in New Mexico has created some unforseen problems that has delayed this. We hope to see gates completed in the next year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The ET internet site has been presented at several extension workshops as well as in class material and at conferences The irrigation control gate drawings have been supplied to irrigation districts and they are in the process of building the gates. The open channel flow program has been used in class instruction and a presentation of the program has been made at an irrigation conference. Research papers have been published for all of these objectives. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been presented at extension activities, in class material, irrigation conferences, and in research publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1 An ET estimation internet site was developed where users can input a limited amount of data such as: Crop type Planting Date Crop location Last Irrigation Precipitation/last irrigation The internet site tracks the ET and water use and estimates the next time that the crop needs to be irrigated. Objective 2 A low cost gate has been designed and drawings were developed. The drawings were provided to two irrigation districts and they are in the process of building and installing the gates in their irrigation districts. Objective 3 A nonlinear canal model that solves the nonlinear open channel flow equations has been developed for single and multiple canal reaches. The models have been used to test algorithms and the results have been published. Objective 4 A very simple but effective management algorithm has been developed. It is so simple that it can be used in a hand held calculator.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Stringam, B. Wahl, T., (2015) Ratio controller for regulation of turnout flow rate International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage Journal, Vol. 64. p. 69-76
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Stringam, B.L., Bleiweiss, M.P., and A.S. Bawazir (2012). Internet
Evapotranspiration Tool to Help Water Users Estimate Water Requirements Managing Irrigation Systems in Today's Environment, US Society on Irrigation and Drainage, Reno, Nevada. Nov 13 Nov16.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Stringam, B. and G. Merkley, (2013). Matlab/Simulink Nonlinear Hydraulic Models for Testing Canal Gate Control Algorithms . The Agriculture/Urban Water Interface Conflicts and Opportunities, US Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, Denver, Colorado.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Stringam, B.L., Berg, D., Shukla, M., and K. Grover, (2015). Using the TI 84 for Irrigation Scheduling Training . Emerging Issues in Water Management Governance, US Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, Albuquerque, NM
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Stringam, B., and Grover, K. (2014) Crop yield function and evapotranspiration comparison for crops near Hatch, New Mexico . Journal of Arid Land Studies. Vol. 24(1) p. 125-128
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Stringam, B.L. and T. Gill (2012). Simplified overshot gate constructed and maintained by irrigation districts . International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage Journal, Vol. 61. p. 666-672.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Stringam, B.L. (2010). Design of a single-pool downstream controller using quantitative feedback control theory . J. Irri. Drain Eng., ASCE, Vol (136)10 p.685-691
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Stringam, B.L. (2011). ET Internet Tool. Southern Region Water Conference Innovations and Partnerships for Clean Water Athens, Georgia. Sept 2011
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Presentations have been made to researchers and water users on ET water estimation. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The ET estimation tool has been presented to 2 water user groups over this past year. There have been requests by individuals at these presentations to use the internet site. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The ratio control method will be tested further to its capabilities to operate an extensive canal system.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
An internet site that can be used to estimate ET for a crop has been developed. The internet site can estimate ET for any of the lower 48 US states. All that is required from the farmer is crop type, acreage, planting date, and last irrigation date. Testing is continuing to determine any possible problems that may occur when the internet site is accessed and used. A spreadsheet program has been developed that will help farmers evaluate and track irrigation pump performance. This program requires that the farmer enter a minimal amount of data to estimate pump energy costs. These estimated costs can be compared to actual costs so that the farmer can track pump performance and determine if the pumping system is operating properly. This spread sheet has been presented at several irrigation workshops. Refinement of an initial design is being conducted on a simplified canal control gate. A design for a simplified overshot gate has been completed. Two irrigation districts have been given drawings and they are in the process of constructing and installing the gates. An open channel simulation algorithm has been completed to operate in Matlab. The algorithm solves the St. Venant open channel flow equations using a 4 point implicit solving method. This program has been expanded to model several reaches on a canal system. The program is being developed to test a ratio control program.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Crop yield function and evapotranspiration
comparison for crops near Hatch, New Mexico
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Ratio controller for regulation of turnout flow rate
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Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Water users, and other research professionals Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Presentations have been made to water user groups on pump efficiency and how to use the pump efficiency spreadsheet. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Two journal papers have been submitted and hopefully will be approved for publication. This will help to report some of the work that has been done so far. Work is still continuing that is building on the things that have been accomplished so far.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The ET internet site is nearly complete. Farmers will be able to access this site and track irrigation water use. They will be able to follow the water use for their crop and determine when to irrigate next. This internet site will help the farmer to use the right amount of water at the right time. As farmers properly manage water applications other input costs will be minimized. A presentation on this internet site is scheduled for presentation in the spring of 2014. Developing a simple spreadsheet tool that will evaluate irrigation pump performance, will help irrigation farmers track energy use and efficiency and help identify any problems that are developing. This tool will identify a problem before thousands of dollars are lost to inefficient pumping. Developing a low cost, easy to construct water control gate will help irrigation districts and farmers manage water more efficiently. This device will be safer than stop-log structures and individual irrigation districts or farmers will be able to construct this gate with common fabrication tools that they have available. Canal control algorithms will help irrigation districts determine how much water to divert down canals to meet the water demands of individual farms. Water use will be matched to the needs of the water users with little or no waste.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Stringam, B., G.P Merkley. (October 22, 2013), "Matlab / Simulink Nonlinear Hydraulic Models for Testing Canal Gate Control Algorithms", The Agriculture/Urban Water Interface-Conflicts and Opportunities, US Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, Denver, Colorado.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Stringam, B., and K. Grover, (November 19, 2013). "Crop Yield Function and Evapotranspiration Comparison for Crops near Hatch, New Mexico", Managing Desert Technologies Conference, Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture & Department of Horticultural Sciences Texas A&M University, San Antonio, Texas.
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We have just completed a prototype internet site that can be used by a farmer to estimate the ET for his crop. The internet site can estimate ET for any of the lower 48 US states and parts of Canada. All that is required from the farmer is crop type, acreage, planting date, and last irrigation date. Testing has been ongoing. Several problems have been identified and corrected. Additional refinement of the internet site is continuing. A spreadsheet program has been developed that will help farmers evaluate and track irrigation pump performance. This program requires that the farmer enter pump operating pressure, pump drawdown, and flow rate to estimate energy costs. These estimated costs can be compared to actual costs so that the farmer can track pump performance and determine if the pumping system is operating properly. If it is determined that the pump has significantly departed from expected performance, measures can be taken to correct the departure. The program is undergoing continued testing to determine if there are any problems that need correction. A simplified canal control gate design has been determined and drawings are being completed for this gate. Two irrigation districts have been selected to construct these gates to try to determine if the drawings and instructions are adequate. An open channel simulation algorithm has been completed to operate in Matlab. The algorithm solves the St. Venant open channel flow equations using a 4 point implicit solving method. This algorithm has been used to test a simplified gate control routines that can be used on numerous canals in the Western United States. A paper has been completed and submitted for review from this work. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The ET internet site is nearly complete. Farmers will be able to access this site and track irrigation water use. They will be able to follow the water use for their crop and determine when to irrigate next. This internet site will help the farmer to use the right amount of water at the right time. As farmers properly manage water applications other input costs will be minimized. Developing a simple spreadsheet tool that will evaluate irrigation pump performance, will help irrigation farmers track energy use and efficiency and help identify any problems that are developing. This tool will identify a problem before thousands of dollars are lost to inefficient pumping. Developing a low cost, easy to construct water control gate will help irrigation districts and farmers manage water more efficiently. This device will be safer than stop-log structures and individual irrigation districts or farmers will be able to construct this gate with common fabrication tools that they have available. Canal control algorithms will help irrigation districts determine how much water to divert down canals to meet the water demands of individual farms. Water use will be matched to the needs of the water users with little or no waste.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We have just completed a prototype internet site that can be used by a farmer to estimate the ET for his crop. The internet site can estimate ET for any of the lower 48 US states. All that is required from the farmer is crop type, acreage, planting date, and last irrigation date. Testing is continuing to determine any possible problems that may occur when the internet site is accessed and used. A spreadsheet program has been developed that will help farmers evaluate and track irrigation pump performance. This program requires that the farmer enter pump operating pressure, pump drawdown, and flow rate to estimate energy costs. These estimated costs can be compared to actual costs so that the farmer can track pump performance and determine if the pumping system is operating properly. If it is determined that the pump has significantly departed from expected performance, measures can be taken to correct the departure. The program is undergoing testing to determine if there are any problems that need correction. Refinement of an initial design is being conducted on a simplified canal control gate. We are trying to determine if the design can be simplified to make the gate more reliable and easier to construct. An open channel simulation algorithm has been completed to operate in Matlab. The algorithm solves the St. Venant open channel flow equations using a 4 point implicit solving method. This algorithm has been used to test a simplified gate control routine that can be used on numerous canals in the Western United States. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Once work on the ET internet site has been completed, farmers will be able to access this site and track irrigation water use. They will be able to follow the water use for their crop and determine when to irrigate next. This internet site will help the farmer to use the right amount of water at the right time. As the farmer properly manages the irrigation time and amount, energy and other input costs will be minimized. Developing a simple spreadsheet tool that will evaluate irrigation pump performance, will help irrigation farmers track energy use and efficiency and help identify any problems that are developing. This tool will identify a problem before thousands of dollars are lost to inefficient pumping. Developing a low cost, easy to construct water control gate will help irrigation districts and farmers manage water more efficiently. This device will be safer than stop-log structures and individual irrigation districts or farmers will be able to construct this gate with common fabrication tools that they have available. Canal control algorithms will help irrigation districts determine how much water to divert down canals to meet the water demands of individual farms without sending too much of too little. Water use will be matched to the needs of the water users with little or no waste.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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