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CSU Water Resources Update Water Forum – CMU Oct 31 st 2011. Denis Reich Water Resources Specialist CSU – Grand Junction. Overview. CSU - UppCRBForum. Colorado Water Institute CSU Extension and Water 4 Projects of varying scope: Orchard Irrigation Small Acreage Outreach
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CSU Water Resources UpdateWater Forum – CMUOct 31st 2011 Denis Reich Water Resources Specialist CSU – Grand Junction
Overview CSU- UppCRBForum • Colorado Water Institute • CSU Extension and Water • 4 Projects of varying scope: • Orchard Irrigation • Small Acreage Outreach • CoAgMet Improvements • CRB Ag Water Security
Colorado Water Institute CSU- UppCRBForum • Under the Office of Engagement at CSU • Same as Extension • Director: Reagan Waskom • also manages the “Colorado Water” Center USGS CWI CSU Office of Engagement Extension Conduit between academia and public need
CSU Extension and Water CSU- UppCRBForum • Extension Water Resources Team • 4 On-campus Specialists: Fort Collins • 3 Field Specialists: Akron, Pueblo, Grand Junction • Additional support: CWI, Colleges of Engineering and Agriculture • Broad Scope: • Basic and Applied Research • Irrigation Management • NRCS, CDA, CCC • Water Quality • Stakeholder Processes • Watershed Groups • IBCC, SeTF
Project 1: RDI in Peach Orchards CSU- UppCRBForum • Project Trigger: • “Yellow” Trees – chlorosis • Potential for Saved Water • Orchard IWM pieces missing • History: • Since 2008 in Palisade • Completing 3rd year of RDI trials • First year of Research Center plots Unnecessary Irrigation = Yellow Trees • Current Work • Maximizing: • Seasonal Efficiency (RDI) • Applied Efficiency • Reducing unwanted growth • Support • Reclamation WCFSP 2 years $25K • CSU Extension 2 years $10K RDI uses soil moisture sensing to take advantage of Peach growth stages
Project 1: RDI in Peach Orchards CSU- UppCRBForum • Major Findings: • RDI Possible: reduces sucker growth • Needs new management habits • Influence of rain unclear • Future Work: • Quantify salt and water savings • Design and disperse outreach tools
Project 2: Irrigation Ambassador CSU- UppCRBForum • Project Trigger: • Education for new irrigators • Standing irrigation water = mozzies • History: • Piloted by CSU Extension 2010 • Contracted Ambassador with Mesa Conservation District in 2010 Reaching the target audience has proved challenging • Current Work • Reporting and Evaluation of 2011 • Lessons Learned • Support • Pilot: CSU Extension $5K • 2011: Colorado Roundtable $18K • GRMCD $7K • GVIC, GVWUA $1K Mosquitoes have proved an effective hook for the program
Project 2: Irrigation Ambassador CSU- UppCRBForum • Major Impacts: • 2009: Protocol and 12 pilot visits • 2010: 59 visits / 2 major drain fixes • Future Work: • Build Capacity for 2012 and beyond • Expand to Delta and Montrose Co.’s • Outreach Video Visit photos: “duck habitat”
Project 3: CoAgMet upgrades CSU- UppCRBForum Atmometers used for site testing The relocated GJ station in Olathe • Project Trigger: • Efficiency: Salt and Selenium • EQIP Contract requirements (NRCS) • History: • Sole source of crop CU data in state • Assists with pesticide application • CoAgMet challenged for funding CoAgMet Station • Current Work • GJ Station to Olathe 2010 • Site testing for future locations • Support • Water Supply Reserve Account $112K: • Gunnison Basin Roundtable • CWCB • Host Producers $7K/station + $2K/yr Station Service Ended New or Proposed Station
Project 4: CRB Water Security CSU- UppCRBForum • Project Trigger: • Rapid Population Growth • Ag Water is the likely future source • History: • Federal Agencies spending on CRB • Barriers to cooperative solutions • Can Ag/M&I/Env/O&G share water? • Current Work (PD: Reagan Waskom) • “Water Sharing” Workshops / Tours • Building a Basin-wide Team • Support • Walton Foundation • USDA-NIFA Planning Grant • In-Kind from 6 of 7 basin states
Projects Summary CSU- UppCRBForum 4: Security Conservation Education Efficiency