The relationship between D and meteorological parameters such as wind speed will be evaluated using meteorological data collected from a temporary weather station located upwind of the study site. The fraction of water lost to drift will be computed by taking the ratio of D to V. The total volume of water applied (V) will be determined from meter readings obtained at the start and conclusion of the irrigation event. The water collected will be adjusted to reflect the total amount of D by multiplying the ratio of the total drift area to the total area of the collection systems.
![water drift water drift](https://blog.dataiku.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sailboat-drifting-on-open-water.jpg)
Drift towers will be installed along the downwind edge of the field. Water drifting off target will hit the collection tube and drain to the ground where the water will be directed to a collection vessel. These half cylinders will be attached to 3 m high towers in a near vertical orientation with the open portion of the cylinder facing the irrigated area. Three meter lengths of the pipe will be cut in half lengthwise to form 3 m long half cylinders. Collection systems will be constructed from 15 cm diameter PVC pipe. Drift (D) will be quantified using drift collection systems that will be placed along the downwind edge of the irrigated zone. The two procedures for estimating evaporation will be compared with differences related to meteorological conditions, water temperature and system operating pressure.
WATER DRIFT PORTABLE
A portable meteorological station will be installed upwind of the site to monitor the temperature, humidity and velocity of the air at the time of each test. The collection systems will be set out in a square matrix with exact spacing adjusted for daily wind conditions. A total of 16 tubular and 64 glass collection systems will be used during an irrigation event. Each jar will be assigned a cap and the jar (with oil) and cap will be weighed prior to placement in the field. A second catchment system will provide water samples to facilitate evaporation estimates using Method 2 and will consist of cylindrical glass jars containing a small quantity of mineral oil. Collected water will accumulate in the tube during the irrigation event and will be transferred to plastic collection bottles at the conclusion of the event. A total of ten equally spaced 8 cm diameter holes will be drilled on one side of the tube and will serve as the ports to collect irrigation water. The first system will consist of 1.5 m lengths of 10 cm diameter PVC pipe that are sealed on both ends with end caps.
![water drift water drift](https://get.pxhere.com/photo/driftwood-tree-water-nature-wood-mud-weathered-bank-waters-dead-wood-drift-wood-729215.jpg)
Two forms of catchment systems will be deployed to collect irrigation water reaching the surface-one for each estimation method. Method 2 will use a volumetric approach wherein evaporation is estimated as the difference between the volume of water dispensed by the irrigation system (Vi) and the volume of water collected in catch cans(Vs).
![water drift water drift](https://i0.wp.com/bluewaterdriftdive.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/a3881024834_10.jpg)
Evaporation (E) is estimated using: E=(ECs-ECi)/ECi. Method 1 will estimate evaporation by making measurements of the electrical conductivity of the water entering the irrigation system (at meter ECi) and water that reaches collection systems placed on the ground (ECs). Project Methods Evaporation during irrigation events (E) will be assessed using two methods. The research outlined in this proposal will establish field studies that 1) quantify these spray evaporation and drift losses from pressurized turf irrigation systems and 2) develop meteorological models to predict the magnitude of these losses.
![water drift water drift](https://images.pushsquare.com/9221e5ac5fc33/1280x720.jpg)
Two components of irrigation efficiency - evaporation of water while in transit from the irrigation head to the ground (spray evaporation) and drift of liquid water off target (to non-turfed areas) will play a critical role in determining whether Arizona's water duties provide adequate water for the proper culture of turfgrass. A recent evaluation of the Arizona turf water duties suggests the duties may force turf facilities in the Phoenix and Tucson areas to utilize deficit irrigation regimes that could eventually lead to problems with soil salinity. In Arizona, turf facilities that irrigate with groundwater and maintain more than 4 ha of turfgrass must comply with water duties that restrict the amount of water that can be used for irrigation. Many DSW states are now limiting the amount of water that can be used to irrigate turf in an effort to encourage conservation. Irrigation is required to sustain the turf areas of the DSW because the bulk of the region is classified as arid or semi-arid. Non Technical Summary The amount of land area planted to turfgrass is growing rapidly in the Desert Southwest (DSW) as population growth and tourism increase the demand for more golf courses, parks and schools.