Where you can go for help...

Education/Training

There are always new techniques and technologies being developed in irrigation and water management, investing in education and training can help make the difference.  Check in with these groups to see what they have to offer.

ITRC Short Courses  ITRC at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo offers a variety of grower and district short courses intended to improve water management techniques.  Short courses are held both on and off campus.  Some courses also are offered in Spanish.

Wateright Advisories and Tutorials Advisories and Tutorials are available covering a variety of topics including: Irrigation System Planning, Furrow and Drip Planning, Distribution System Uniformity, and Irrigation Efficiency.

UCCE County Offices  The University of California Cooperative Extension has local offices throughought the state.  County Offices have locally relevant information, and personnel knowledgeable about conditions in your county/area.  Check with your local office to see what services they can offer you. 

USDA Local Offices The US Department of Agriculture has offices throughout California.  Many of these offices can provide one-stop access to Information and Personnel from various departments within the US Department of Agriculture.

Water Management Planning

NRCS Conservation Planning Natural Resource Conservation Service has prepared a number of worksheets to improve water and soil management, and facilitate conservation efforts. This site has a number of worksheets that focus on water conservation, and evaluating your current irrigation system.

Irrigation Scheduling

California Farmers are already aware of the vital importance of effective Irrigation Scheduling. A number of tools are available to supplement and improve scheduling efforts.

CIMIS

Wateright Scheduling Software

Mobile Labs

DWR Mobile Labs  Mobile Labs can be a great way to increase uniformity, reduce runoff, and enhance irrigation efficiency. Many labs are also able to help with agricultural pump energy efficiency concerns.

Professional Irrigation Consultants

DWR Consultants The Department of Water Resources has compiled a list of private irrigation consultants, however there are many other local irrigation consultants available that do not appear on this list.  Check with your local irrigation supply company to see if they have any recommendations.

Financial Advice/Assistance

The time to prepare for a short year is as early as possible! If financial conditions warrant, check in with the USDA FSA or your private creditors.  Early, and frequent communication can make all the difference!

USDA FSA Local Offices -The US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency can provide assistance in case of a Disastrous Drought.  Check here to find your local FSA office.

USDA FSA State Page - This page offers the lastest California FSA information including current agricultural news items from the FSA. and current assistance programs. 

Other Resources

Many other agencies and organizations have useful information available regarding drought preparedness. Check these pages for additional information about drought conditions during the coming year.

Drought Tips Produced by the UCCE and CA DWR, these drought tips are full of useful ideas and suggestions to improve water management. Topics covered include: leaching, water quality needs for specifc crop types, irrigation systems, cropping patterns, and other important tips.

Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region Drought Page prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation's Mid-Pacific Region

DWR Drought Page

NRCS Irrigation Page The NRCS Irrigation Page provides information on a wide variety of irrigation topics including: Water management models, irrigation discussion groups, and a number of handbooks and manuals concerning irrigation systems.

NOAA

ATTRA provides a wide variety of Drought-Related material, including many of those areas previously mentioned here, including: Irrigation scheduling, system maintenance and evaluations, and crop selection/patterns

Don't forget to check with your local Irrigation district, many offer technical assistance to agricultural water users.