Technology Transfer at the Rio Grande Center for Ag Water Efficiency

Alongside HID’s 100-year-old pumping plant right off the Rio Grande is a new TWDB-funded training center designed specifically to provide ag producers and surface water districts with hands-on instruction in efficient irrigation techniques and district automation technologies.

The Rio Grande Center for Ag Water Efficiency — part of Texas AWE — is built around a simulated canal system, complete with automated gates and telemetry, where trainees experience first-hand the efficiencies of integrated operations over manual methods for controlling flow and managing canal levels for ag water conservation.

For farmers, the Center offers classes in various irrigation techniques proven on local farms to save water and still produce a net cash farm income.

Other classes focus on readily available tools for irrigating more efficiently, including using soil moisture sensors and linking into evapotranspiration networks for precision irrigation scheduling.

Both producers and districts also can calibrate flow meters at the Center, a service available at only two other facilities in the U.S., in California and Florida.

Training workshops and classes for all irrigation districts and ag producers are offered at the Rio Grande Center for Ag Water Efficiency at a nominal charge. Event listings will be posted on this page as they are announced.