University of California, Davis
OP-T2-48: Weather-Informed Irrigation

The campus uses a Rainmaster ll weather station, which uses sensors to record data and produces an evapotranspiration factor daily. Irrigation run times are adjusted automatically by the central irrigation computer. There is also a rain gauge that will shut off the system when a certain threshold of precipitation is reached in a specified time. It is a state-of-the-industry system, used on the Davis campus. The campus is one of the largest operators of this system on the West Coast, and the irrigation staff are trained professionals who are members in an irrigation association that encourages education and certification for irrigation professionals.

Further information can be found at:
http://rainmaster.com/wthr_cntr2_prod_lit.htm
http://rainmaster.com/dx2_prod_lit.htm
http://rainmaster.com/central_sys_prod_lit.htm

UC Davis continually strives to improve effectiveness of campus irrigation, and has greatly reduced run-off and over-watering practices since installing smart controllers that use weather data and . Campus landscape management staff provide specifications for efficient irrigation on all new facilities and landscape improvements, have written guidelines for reducing water consumption for irrigation, work in conjunction with faculty and researchers on pilot projects and programs for effective and efficient landscape management, including irrigation practices, and are looked as upon a resource for other cities and universities in best practices for irrigation management.