Colorado Water Dec 2003

• Year: 2003
• Title: Colorado Water
• CWCB Section: Administration
• Author: Water Center of Colorado State University
• Description: December 2003 Issue
• Publications - Doc Type: Newsletter

Weather data from COAGMET are currently being used in
several ways, one of which is to assist ET -based irrigation
scheduling. Irrigators can use ET data to determine past
crop water use and to more accurately project irrigation wa-
ter needs and timing. This helps ensure that adequate water
is applied to meet crop need, while avoiding over- applica-
tion. Dr. Schwartz and his team use the COAGMET data
for modeling and prediction of disease outbreaks in high
value crops such as onions and potatoes.
Currently, the ET reports provided on the internet
( www.coagmet.com), by email and through printed reports
and news releases are calculated using the 1982 Kimberly
Penman method. Crop ET reports are available in two for-
mats. Crop reports are currently available for alfalfa, corn,
dry beans, small grains, sugar beets, potatoes, and onions.
A new output format for crop ET reports allows users to
select individual stations and the crops of interest. Users
can also select their precise planting date to more accu-
rately reflect stage of development and crop canopy (Figure
3). Although these stations are located in predominantly
agricultural areas, turf grass was added in 2003 due to the
increased interest in landscape water conservation.
A strength, but also a handicap for COAGMET, is the infor-
mal nature of the program. The enthusiastic and generous
support from a variety of groups and individuals is respon-
sible for keeping a large and effective agricultural weather
network functional for a decade with very little exchange of
funds and few administrative problems. Several disadvan-
tages exist, however, that may pose problems in the future.
With limited resources earmarked specifically for the sys-
tem, long -term continuity is at risk. Already, data quality
and station maintenance do not receive the oversight needed
for strict quality assurance. This is a particular concern for
COAGMET, because a few key individuals perform most
of the station setup, maintenance, and data collection and
management functions.
For over ten years the COAGMET participants and partners
have been able provide nearly continuous daily data for ET
calculations needed for irrigation scheduling, plant disease
models, and other purposes. However, maintaining the
continuity of this successful program will require renewed
support from the University and COAGMET partners to
provide high - quality climate data on a daily basis. To ac-
cess COAGMET, go to www.coagmet.com.
CoA Met Crop mater Use
(ET) Results
Fart Lupton: 07.07 -2003
Pktwn to
Figure 3. Crop ET report in new format begun in 2002.
Endangered Species Act /Klamath Basin
In a final report issued on Nov. 18, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) claims the direct cause of death in the
Sept. 2002 Klamath River fish kill was an outbreak of two freshwater pathogens, "Ich and columnaris." The two patho-
gens are commonly found in the Klamath River and other aquatic systems, so FWS concludes that additional factors
combined to stress the fish and render them more susceptible to the pathogens. The report says those factors included: the
large size of the fall run of Chinook salmon returning to the Klamath River from the Pacific Ocean; the high densities of
fish in the lower river (enabling the pathogen outbreaks to spread quickly); the relatively low flow in the lower Klamath
River; and hot weather, which raised water temperatures above that optimal for salmon. The report is consistent with a
recent report from the National Research Council (NRC), which concluded that the die off was not principally due to low
water levels in the Klamath River, but more likely a combination of numerous factors. Environmentalists, however, insist
that the primary factor was the low flow in the Klamath River. The report does not indicate whether releasing more water
from the Klamath Irrigation Project would have helped to prevent the fish kill. Reports on the causative factors of the fish
kill and the estimate of mortality can be found at http: / /sacramento.fws.gov /ea /Media- Latestnews.htm.
Western States Water, 11/21/03
............ .................................................. ... .__.._.... ... .. ...... ____ 13
"Aatt1^'K0 Er -m Ow t4taw&d t-T afa u �rerat~ a4a & €Wd 0 Ad cam'
Pktwn to
Figure 3. Crop ET report in new format begun in 2002.
Endangered Species Act /Klamath Basin
In a final report issued on Nov. 18, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) claims the direct cause of death in the
Sept. 2002 Klamath River fish kill was an outbreak of two freshwater pathogens, "Ich and columnaris." The two patho-
gens are commonly found in the Klamath River and other aquatic systems, so FWS concludes that additional factors
combined to stress the fish and render them more susceptible to the pathogens. The report says those factors included: the
large size of the fall run of Chinook salmon returning to the Klamath River from the Pacific Ocean; the high densities of
fish in the lower river (enabling the pathogen outbreaks to spread quickly); the relatively low flow in the lower Klamath
River; and hot weather, which raised water temperatures above that optimal for salmon. The report is consistent with a
recent report from the National Research Council (NRC), which concluded that the die off was not principally due to low
water levels in the Klamath River, but more likely a combination of numerous factors. Environmentalists, however, insist
that the primary factor was the low flow in the Klamath River. The report does not indicate whether releasing more water
from the Klamath Irrigation Project would have helped to prevent the fish kill. Reports on the causative factors of the fish
kill and the estimate of mortality can be found at http: / /sacramento.fws.gov /ea /Media- Latestnews.htm.
Western States Water, 11/21/03
............ .................................................. ... .__.._.... ... .. ...... ____ 13