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Irrigation Leak Detection: Using Flow Rate Sensors To Detect Breaks In An Irrigation System, Adam Openshaw, Kalvin Vu

Computer Engineering

This report details the exploration and invention of a mechanism that can detect breaks in an irrigation system. With the ultimate goal of conserving water, we have designed an inexpensive, self sustaining flow rate monitor that can be used to identify anomalies in an irrigation system and wirelessly communicate the status of the system to a base station. Our implementation can also determine the direction of the anomaly based on the nature of the anomaly itself. This means that multiple monitors can be used to pinpoint the location of a break within the system in addition to merely detecting its …

Lavers Ranch Vineyard Design, A.J. Borba

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project discusses the design of a vineyard irrigation system for Lavers Ranch in Glennville, Ca. The vineyard is 33 acres in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and water will be provided for the system by three springs located on the ranch. This senior project discusses vineyard layout: vine direction, vine spacing, and emitters per vine. Using Microsoft Excel, a program will be developed that will give irrigation requirements for the conditions given by Lavers Ranch. Along with the Excel program final maps will be included with detailed information of the field requirements.

Effects Of Recycled Water On Landscape Plants, Casey R. Miranda

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT EFFECTS OF RECYCLED WATER ON LANDSCAPE PLANTS Casey Ray Miranda Recycled water is water that has been previously used, has suffered a loss of quality, and has been properly treated for redistribution (Wu et al. 2001). The use of recycled water as an alternative to fresh water in the landscape can have positive and negative effects. Experimentation on 40 different plant species during a 32 week period (2 phases of 16 weeks), was conducted to analyze the effects of recycled water irrigation on the appearance of landscape plants. Each species of plant was planted into 10 individual number 2 …

Evaluation And Design Of A 20-Acre Avocado Orchard, Daniel Holtz

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Rocky H Ranch is a 120 acre avocado farm located in Escondido California. There is a 20 acre parcel that has not been planted. The roads, trees, and irrigation system were designed to maximize yields and irrigation system performance while utilizing the latest technology.

Roads were laid out along the contours to maintain block sizes to an average length and width. This is done for two reasons, ease of harvesting and so the irrigation laterals are not excessively long. Nine blocks, or where roads surrounded trees, were created. The trees were laid out along the contours at a 15 foot …

Wi-Fi Evapotranspiration Irrigation Controller, Ryan Goodman

Electrical Engineering

This report discusses the applications of an Irrigation Controller with Wi-Fi connectivity, with focus on cost-effectiveness and usability. It addresses the amount to which traditional irrigation is wasteful, and proposes solutions to solve this problem. Methods for using online weather data resources to increase efficiency of residential landscaping are discussed in depth. Included is the procedural development of an irrigation controller using the Microchip Explorer 16 Development Board and TCP/IP Stack. Also discussed is web hosting and use of the scripting language PHP, and database MySQL. This project found inexpensive means for providing HTTP and FTP services. Results indicate an …

Intelligent Irrigation Zone Splitter, David Boeck

Electrical Engineering

The intelligent irrigation zone splitter allows easy expansion of an existing irrigation controller. To expand on an existing controller a new wire is needed to run between the controller and the valve. This path may be buried beneath driveways, patios, and sidewalks. The intelligent irrigation zone splitter uses an already existing wire path to control two valves and create a new watering zone. This controller uses timing and memory to split the total watering time of the zone.