Divining Rod May 2006

• Year: 2006
• Title: Divining Rod
• Author: New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute
• Description: May 2006
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

May 2006 DIVINING ROD
(continued from page 4)
"This research has been a good
learning experience," Lopez says. The
outcomes of his research will benefit
farming, because better estimates of ET
help determine how much water is
needed and when to water a particular
crop, thereby saving water. "This
research will improve estimation of
plant water use and show us how to use
water more conservatively," he asserts.
When asked how he became
interested in this research, Lopez replied
that he has always been interested in
agriculture and engineering because his
family owns a 107 -acre farm in
Carlsbad, New Mexico. He also credits
his advisor, Dr. Bawazir, who "has been
really helpful. He makes the subject
interesting."
Lopez plans to continue his
education after graduating this year
from New Mexico State University.
Currently, he is thinking about pursuing
a master's degree in civil engineering
with an emphasis on water resources.
He may go on to pursue a doctorate in
agricultural engineering, although
becoming a professional engineer also
appeals to him.
He will soon install a 3D sensor
system onto the tower. "The maximum
number of sensors that we can have is
five," Lopez says, "but this sensor will
verify all of the friction velocity
calculations made so far. We can tell
from that if our numbers are off or not."
Also in the near future contingent on
funding, he will install a new tower in a
young pecan orchard to continue his
research.
At 75 feet above the ground, Eric Lopez checks the instruments
at the top of the tower.
Mark Your Calendars!!
51 st Annual New Mexico Water Conference
October 3 -4, 2006
Hotel Albuquerque Old Town
This year's conference will highlight Water Quality Issues
Program details available on the WRRI website as they become available: http: / /wrri.nmsu.edu
5