Denis Reich

Water Resources Specialist

CSU – Grand Junction

Colorado Water InstituteCSU Extension and Water4 Projects of varying scope:

Orchard IrrigationSmall Acreage OutreachCoAgMet ImprovementsCRB Ag Water Security

Under the Office of Engagement at CSUSame as Extension

Director: Reagan Waskom also manages the “Colorado Water” Center

CSU Office of Engagement

CWI

Extension Conduit between

academia and public need

USGS

Extension Water Resources Team 4 On-campus Specialists: Fort Collins 3 Field Specialists: Akron, Pueblo, Grand Junction Additional support: CWI, Colleges of Engineering and

Agriculture Broad Scope:

Basic and Applied Research

Irrigation Management NRCS, CDA, CCC

Water Quality Stakeholder Processes

Watershed Groups IBCC, SeTF

Project Trigger:• “Yellow” Trees – chlorosis• Potential for Saved Water• Orchard IWM pieces missing

History:• Since 2008 in Palisade• Completing 3rd year of RDI trials• First year of Research Center plots Current Work

• Maximizing:• Seasonal Efficiency (RDI)• Applied Efficiency

• Reducing unwanted growth

Support• Reclamation WCFSP 2 years $25K• CSU Extension 2 years $10K

Unnecessary Irrigation = Yellow

Trees

RDI uses soil moisture sensing to take advantage of Peach growth stages

Major Findings:• RDI Possible: reduces sucker growth• Needs new management habits• Influence of rain unclear

Future Work:• Quantify salt and water savings• Design and disperse outreach tools

Project Trigger:• Education for new irrigators• Standing irrigation water = mozzies

History:• Piloted by CSU Extension 2010• Contracted Ambassador with Mesa Conservation District in 2010

Current Work• Reporting and Evaluation of 2011• Lessons Learned

Support• Pilot: CSU Extension $5K• 2011: Colorado Roundtable $18K

• GRMCD $7K• GVIC, GVWUA $1K

Reaching the target audience has proved

challenging

Mosquitoes have proved an effective hook for the

program

Major Impacts:• 2009: Protocol and 12 pilot visits• 2010: 59 visits / 2 major drain fixes

Future Work:• Build Capacity for 2012 and beyond• Expand to Delta and Montrose Co.’s• Outreach Video•

Visit photos: “duck habitat”

Project Trigger:• Efficiency: Salt and Selenium • EQIP Contract requirements (NRCS)

History:• Sole source of crop CU data in state• Assists with pesticide application• CoAgMet challenged for funding

Current Work• GJ Station to Olathe 2010• Site testing for future locations

Support• Water Supply Reserve Account $112K:

• Gunnison Basin Roundtable• CWCB

• Host Producers $7K/station + $2K/yr

CoAgMet Station

Station Service Ended

New or Propose

d Station

Atmometers used for site

testing

The relocated GJ station in Olathe

Project Trigger:• Rapid Population Growth• Ag Water is the likely future source

History:• Federal Agencies spending on CRB• Barriers to cooperative solutions• Can Ag/M&I/Env/O&G share water?

Current Work (PD: Reagan Waskom)• “Water Sharing” Workshops / Tours• Building a Basin-wide Team

Support• Walton Foundation• USDA-NIFA Planning Grant• In-Kind from 6 of 7 basin states

Conservation

Education

Efficiency