Restoring Stream Flow and Reducing Groundwater Use Through Conservation Irrigation

Irrigation using groundwater exceeds or is approaching sustainable thresholds in many areas across the United States. Little Rock Creek is one of four DNR groundwater management areas in the state. This groundwater fed, cold-water, trout stream is impaired due to a lack of coldwater fish assemblage, low dissolved oxygen, and excess nitrogen. Restoration efforts focus on reducing groundwater use to improve base flow conditions in the creek. Reducing groundwater use through conservation irrigation is the focus of this Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund (ENRTF) project. Most conservation irrigation scheduling tools available are outdated and no longer effective in meeting resource management needs. This project consists of developing an open source, web-based, mobile irrigation scheduling application that also provides users with real-time information on stream conditions and regularly updated information on groundwater levels.