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Learn to measure your water diversionsLearn to measure your water diversions

The University of California stepped up in recent years to help water rights holders, who are required to report the water they take from surface streams.

Farm Press Staff

January 21, 2025

1 Min Read
Water diverted onto a crop field
Water diverted onto a crop field.UCANR

After a historic five-year drought, California’s State Water Resources Control Board in 2016 ramped up reporting requirements for the state’s roughly 12,000 property owners and users with senior riparian water rights.

The rules now require annual reporting of surface water diversions rather than every three years, and landowners can no longer avoid the mandate by claiming an economic hardship.

To save landowners the cost of hiring an engineer, legislation sponsored by the California Cattlemen’s Association in 2018 enabled landowners to install their own devices or use an alternative method if they take a course developed by the water board and University of California.

The UC has been offering periodic half-day courses around the state ever since, and has its next one scheduled for 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Building, 2801 Second St., Davis.

“We are limiting the number of participants for the water measurement training to 30 people per session,” said Larry Forero, UC Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resources advisor emeritus. “If you need this training, please register soon.”

At the workshop, participants can expect to:

  • Clarify reporting requirements for ranches.

  • Understand what meters are appropriate for different situations.

  • Learn how to determine measurement equipment accuracy.

  • Develop an understanding of measurement weirs.

  • Learn how to calculate and report volume from flow data.

Related:UC course helps landowners track water use

Cost is $35. To register, click here.

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