Measuring Water Flow in Surface Irrigation Ditches and Gated Pipe

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Measuring water is a critical part of any irrigation management system. This informational bulletin gives some simplistic methods of measuring flow rate in an open ditch and in gated pipe. Using the float method, dye tracers and velocity head meters, growers can get a quick estimate of the flow in their farm ditch. From this, an estimate of water applied or a set time can be determined. The bulletin also explains how a propeller meter works for gated pipe. Gated pipe is widely used through the state and in the West.