Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE)

Studies conducted measured data from over a dozen crops and cropping patterns. Measurements include crop ET, irrigation efficiencies, and soil salinity loading and leaching. Systems evaluated include pre-irrigation scenarios, and crops such as iceberg lettuce, spinach, durum wheat, Sudan grass, barley, romaine lettuce, leaf lettuce, cantaloupe, watermelon, cauliflower, broccoli, and cotton. Crop water use data for modern production systems was needed. In many cases figures show slightly higher crop water use as compared to a half-century ago, while crop yields have in some cases doubled. Having accurate up-to-date crop water use numbers will assist in all types of planning for this precious resource.