Sotoyome RCD Water Conservation Tools

Sonoma County's Mediterranean climate means that each year we experience periods where water is abundant, and periods where water is scarce. Challenges for agricultural and rural residential landowners in the dry season can be addressed through a number of tools that can maximize water use efficiency, and these tools can be combined for even better results.

If you are interested in conserving water or developing alternative water sources on your property, the Sotoyome RCD can help. Please contact us to discuss what might be possible on your property. We can provide ideas and advice, and can help pursue funding to help pay for these improvements.

For more information on a variety of water conservation and development measures see the many resources listed below.

Topics Water Savings in Residential Landscaping Water Savings in Agricultural Irrigation Frost Protection Water Savings Rainwater Catchment Groundwater Recharge

Water Savings in Residential Landscaping

Using drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping is a great way to conserve water. The Water Wise Gardening Guide for Sonoma and Marin Counties provides information on designing your garden using drought-tolerant plants, selecting an irrigation system, and timing your irrigation based on the location of your home.

Drip irrigation, when used properly, can help you conserve water in your garden. The Sonoma County Master Gardeners Water-wise Gardening provides resources for designing, installing and maintaining drip systems.

Water Savings in Agricultural Irrigation

Drip irrigation can help reduce the water demand of irrigated crops. Through careful operation and maintenance of drip systems, water savings can be optimized. The Sotoyome RCD's Mobile Water Lab Program can help by providing free irrigation efficiency checks, and recommending improvements to infrastructure and changes in system operation.

Other resources for agricultural irrigation efficiency and scheduling:

• The Cal Poly Irrigation Training and Research Center offers papers summarizing results of irrigation experiments, books and equipment for purchase, databases on evapotranspiration and irrigation efficiency, and training opportunities.
  
  
• The UC Davis Department of Land Air and Water Resources offers research-based publications and resources for purchase.
  
  
• The UC Extension Sonoma County Viticulture Program offers easy to access online information regarding irrigation scheduling and efficiency measurements.
  
  
• The California Irrigation Management Information System offers weather data from over 125 weather stations throughout California.
  
  
• The Natural Resources Conservation Service Irrigation page offers links to Water Management Models, Irrigation Discussion Groups, Irrigation Facts, Figures and Trends, Handbooks and Manuals, and more.
  
  
• The California Microirrigation Pocket Guide is also a great resource for management and maintenance of microirrigation systems.
  
  
• The publication, "Smart Water Use on Your Farm or Ranch," by the Sustainable Agricultural Network (part of USDA-SARE), provides idea on conserving water through a combination of soil management, plant management, and water management.

Frost Protection Water Savings

Like any element of an agricultural operation, it is clear that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to frost protection. The RCD can work with you and your vineyard manager to determine what frost protection options are most appropriate for your vineyard. Some examples of "alternative" options for frost protection are listed below:

The UC Davis Biometeorology Program Frost Protection webpage provides information on several frost protection methods, including passive methods such as soil water content and ground cover, and active methods such as wind machines and micro-sprinklers.

An article published in Wine Business Monthly in January 2010 describes various methods of frost protection and provides case studies of how these methods have been used throughout the Western US, as well as links to several companies offering frost protection equipment.

Frost Protection Considerations - a slideshow describing various methods of frost protection.

Rainwater Catchment

In a residential setting, rainwater can be captured from roof gutters and routed into tanks for future use. Systems can be as simple as an old barrel at the bottom of a downspout, or as complicated as a large thank with a treatment system that makes rainwater safe for drinking (potable use).

In an agricultural setting, rainwater can be captured in tanks as above, and used for irrigation, drinking water for animals, or for potable uses. Underground cisterns can also be used to capture water on a larger scale. Many ag landowners have also turned to rain-filled ponds to supply water for irrigation and animals.

Occidental Arts and Ecology Center's WATER Institute has developed the booklet "Roof Water Harvesting for a Low Impact Water Supply" to provide information on roof-based rainwater catchment systems - how they work, example designs, things to consider in planning a system, and other resources.

Groundwater Recharge

Managing stormwater so that it sinks into the ground rather than running off into creeks and storm drains can have many benefits. Reducing runoff during storms prevents erosion and flooding. Sinking water into the ground contributes to groundwater and base flows in creeks.

"Slow it. Spread it. Sink it! A Homeowner's Guide to Greening Stormwater Runoff" , available from the Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District, is an exciting new guidebook that will help landowners and homeowners make the most of the many potential benefits of innovative stormwater management.

Once thought of as a nuisance, stormwater is now universally recognized as one our most important natural resources and proper management (simple to complex) is more important than ever.