Almost 90% of the irrigated acreage represented in teh survey receives water that is measured at the farm gate.

Approximately 2/3 of the irrigated acreage represented in the survey is investigating ways to improve water measurement technology.

*In December 2008, the Council released a report that represents over 40% of the State's total irrigated acreage.
Download a copy of the report here.

Seemingly simple, agricultural water measurement is deceptively intricate.  Many factors add to teh complexity of accurately measuring agricultural water deliveries and water use, beginning with the frequent reuse of agricultural water.  Unlike urban sttings where water is tradionally only used once, agricultural water is commonly recaptured from a field or neighboring farm and reapplied for a second or third application.

 Within any given farm, field size, crops and irrigation methods are often different from field to field, making the needs at each irrigation turout unique.  Water deliveries may vary even on a given field from one irrigation to another because of plant maturity or cultural practices.  Flow rate changes are even possible during an irrigation event due to irrigation management actions or changes in the district's delivery system.

 While most agricultural water measurement is within 10 percent accuracy, most districts are researching ways to further improve the accuracy of their measurements.  Using technology, such as SCADA, inproved nmeasuremt devices and GIS mapping, irrigation districts are adopting new technology as it becomes available and affordable.  One of the main impediments to improved water measurement is cost.  Advancing technology makes improved water measuement feasible but the cost to achieve accuracy better than what currently exists is often not locally cost effective.

Where conjunctive use is appropriate, approximately 70% of the irrigaed acreage represented in the survey is actively engaged in a conjunctive use program.

*In December 2008 the Council released a report representing over 40% of the State's total irrigated acreage.
Download a copy of the report here.

Conjunctive use is the coordinated management of surface and groundwater.  Surface and groundwater are closely connected.  Management changes to either supply affect the conditions of the other. 

Conjunctive use and recharge programs have grown substantially in California as groundwater levels in some areas began to decline and surface water supplies grow increasingly scarce.

Approximately 79% of the irrigated acreage represented does not have an on-demand type delivery system.

While irrigation district operators strive to provide responsive service to their farmers, there is a limit to on-farm irrigation efficiency improvements attainable unless water is delviered in a flexible manner that gives teh farmer the ability to turn the water on and off as needed. 

1. The less time it takes for a farmer to turn on and off the irrigation water allows for more efficient use of the water byenabling the farmer to take water when the crops need it and not just when the water is available
   
   
2. and; reducing operational spill in the conveyance system by allowing water to be turned off when the irrigation cycle is complete instead of water for another farmer to begin irrigating.

Agricultural Water districts serve large quantities of water toa few customers, whereas urban municipalities serve smaller volumes of water to a large population.  It is estimated that the typical agricultural water district ahs the conveyance capacity to service only 14 percent of its customers at any given time.  Because of this physical constraint, farmers must plan their irrigation cycles in advance, so that the district can implement a delviery rotation that best meets the needs of its farmers.  Improving the flexibility in water delivery to the farms usually requires substantial investments in major infrastructue.

More than 85% of the irrigated acreage represented in the Council survey have invested in delivery automation.

* In December 2008 the Council released a report representing over 40% of the State's irrigated acreage.
Download the report here.