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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #190830
Title: THE TEXAS HIGH PLAINS EVAPOTRANSPIRATION NETWORK-AN IRRIGATION SCHEDULING TECHOLOGY TRANSFER TOOL

Author
item MAREK, THOMAS - TAES
item PORTER, DANA - TAES
item Howell, Terry

Submitted to: Irrigation and Water Quality Research Reports
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/24/2005
Publication Date: 10/24/2005
Citation: Marek, T., Porter, D., Howell, T.A. 2005. The Texas High Plains evapotranspiration network-an irrigation scheduling techology transfer tool. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Contract #2004-358-008. Completion Report.

Interpretive Summary: Irrigation scheduling services on the Texas High Plains required a modernized web site design for users to access data in customized formats to suit their demands. A grant was awarded by the Texas Water Development Board to accomplish this assignment to the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES) in Amarillo that worked in cooperation with TAES in Lubbock and USDA-ARS in Bushland, TX. A new database system was designed and developed for the respective 18 weather stations in the Texas High Plains Evapotranspiration (TXHPET) network that comprise both the North Plains ET and the South Plains ET networks within the Texas High Plains region located in the 15 Texas counties that provide regional coverage for the estimated four million irrigated acres. The database utilized a mySQL language structure and a pHp language interface. The database utilizes a partitioning station structure whereby additional ET stations can be added without the typical difficulty of expanding database record length. A new listserv was also established with electronic sign-up for user selection of the various station data and file formats. This listserv provides information for the automated daily (early morning) e-mail delivery of the selected files.

Technical Abstract: The Texas High Plains Evapotranspiration (TXHPET) network is comprised of two evapotranspiration (ET) networks, namely the North Plains ET and the South Plains ET networks within the Texas High Plains region. The TXHPET network entails the operation of 18 meteorological stations located in 15 Texas counties, and regional coverage is estimated at four million irrigated acres. The network disseminates meteorological data, including ET-based crop water use information used by agricultural producers and consultants in irrigation scheduling, on a daily basis. Through this project, enhancements were developed for the TXHPET network to provide increased utilization and electronic dissemination capabilities for irrigated producers and other users of the TXHPET. The operational and enhancement development objectives set forth in the project were completed within the project duration period; but with a 60-day delay in initiation for contract signatures. A new database system was designed and developed for the respective station data. The database utilized a mySQL language structure and a pHp language interface. The database utilizes a partitioning station structure whereby additional ET stations can be added without the typical difficulty of expanding database record length. A new listserv was also established with electronic sign-up for user selection of the various station data and file formats. This listserv provides information for the automated daily (early morning) e-mail delivery of the selected files.