Irrigation Water Measurement

Suggested Objectives

1. Explain the importance of measuring devices.
2. List and explain the various measuring devices available for irrigation conveyance flow measurement.
3. Describe procedures for using various measuring devices available for irrigation conveyance flow measurement.
4. Apply appropriate technology to select the measuring device best suited to the planned conveyance system.

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Suggested Outline

1. Introduction
2. Body
   1. Importance of water measurement devices
   2. Measuring Devices
      1. Open channel measuring devices
         1. Weirs
         2. Flumes
         3. Gates and Orifices
         4. Current meters
         5. Acoustic meters
         6. Others
3. Closed conduit measuring devices
   1. Differential head meters
   2. Velocity meters
   3. Acoustic meters
   4. Other
4. Secondary Measuring Devices
   1. Head and pressure measurement devices
   2. Volume totalization devices
   3. Data storage and transmission devices
5. Procedures for Using Measuring Devices
6. Selection of Best Device for Site
3. Summary

Note: Note all copies of documents that were contained in the original Irrigation Training Toolbox are available electronically.

If you are unable to find a hard copy of a document in your state, you may be able to borrow a copy from the Water Management Engineer at your regional National technology Support Center

1. NEH Part 652: Irrigation Guide, Chapters 7: Farm Distribution Components
2. NEH Part 623: Chapter 9: Water Measurement
3. ASAE, "Flow Measuring Flumes for Open Channel Systems” ISBN-929355-15- 6
   • Publication “The Surface Irrigation Manual”, Chapter 1, ITRC

 

• Video 013 “Step Out of The Stone Ages, Water Works: A Guide to Effective Water Measurement”, US Bureau of Reclamation (18:45)
  
• Video 014 “Irrigation Flow Measurement in Piped Systems”, Bureau of Reclamation, NRCS & The University of Nebraska (46:16)

There are many extension documents about irrigation water measurement desgin. The following is a sample of 10.

• Arizona Measuring Water Flow and Rate on the Farm
• Arizona Determining the Amount of Irrigation Water Applied to a Field
• Arizona Measuring Water Flow in Surface Irrigation Ditches and Gated Pipe
• Florida Measuring Irrigation Water
• Florida Water Measurement for Agricultural Irrigation and Drainage Systems

• Kansas Irrigation Water Measurement as a Management Tool
• Kansas Irrigation Water Measurement
• Louisiana Irrigation Flow Measurement
• Utah How Good Is Your Water Measurement?
• Oklahoma Water Measurement Units and Conversion Factors

 

1. Water Measurement
   120 slides