Bonanza Valley Irrigation Water Management

A landowner located in the Bonanza Valley Groundwater Management Area implemented new variable rate irrigation technology on their farm.

The new technology includes advanced irrigation water management, variable rate technology, and advanced pumping plant automation in the form of a control panel to integrate all the new technology advancements made. These advancements help to better control amounts of water applied to prevent over-watering on wetlands, non-cropland, and where irrigators overlap on two adjacent fields.

Additionally, weather stations were installed and integrated into the systems. These advancements allow the landowner to access real time data - temperature, wind speed, soil moisture, and rainfall amount - on demand to help irrigate efficiently and effectively.

Irrigation water management is essential for efficient water use in agriculture. Proper management techniques help farmers optimize water resources, reduce overwatering in overlap areas, improve crop yields, and reduce water quantity concerns. By implementing effective irrigation water management, the landowner is enhancing their productivity while conserving this valuable groundwater resource.

Components:

• Soil moisture sensors with data recorder and telemetry (hardware)

Benefits:

• Maximize water stored in soil profile 

• Minimize overwatering, which helps decrease nutrient movement 

• Monitor and evaluate management impacts to environment 

• Potentially increase yields 

• Provide moisture for desired crop response

Partners on this project included the landowner, Stearns CD, USDA NRCS through EQIP, MN Department of Agriculture, and the Board of Water and Soil Resources.