CALIFORNIA GROWERS FACE GROUNDWATER RESTRICTIONS

摘要

IN THE WAKE of one of the state's worst droughts in modern history, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) became law in California in 2014. It's intended to ensure better local and regional management of ground water use, with the overallgoal being sustainable groundwater management by 2042.The state's growers will face increasing pressure to justify their water usage, and depending on their location, could face tough restrictions. Irrigation suppliers are of course very familiar with the law, so we asked them how they can help growers, andwhat advice they might offer. Here's a sampling of their responses:SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER, DAVIS INSTRUMENTSMonitoring soil moisture levels allows growers to charge lower levels and build health when water is available; then cut back to, but not beyond, lower levels of irrigation needed for fruit growth. Davis weather stations allow them to monitor evapotranspiration (ET), and thus replenishment, and rain received on site. Start with a Davis weather station for ET, frost, and effective weather monitoring, for a low startup cost. Then expand to soil moisture monitoring, then irrigation monitoring, and beyond as budget permits.