Water security: Investing in proper reservoir design helps growers achieve essential water security

Authors: WHITE, SARAH - Clemson University; Owen Jr, James - Jim

Submitted to: Nursery Management and Production
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/12/2022
Publication Date: 6/15/2022
Citation: White, S.A., Owen Jr, J.S. 2022. Water security: Investing in proper reservoir design helps growers achieve essential water security. Nursery Management and Production. https://www.nurserymag.com/article/reservoir-design-water-security/.

Interpretive Summary: Quality freshwater is essential for growing plants, directly impacting profits when producing nursery and greenhouse crops. The increasing frequency of sporadic weather patterns that increase the risk of short rainless periods (meteorological drought) and reduced water supply (hydrological drought) can cause crop damage or loss. Recent and recurring droughts have made us rethink water security now and into the future. While reservoirs are commonplace where nursery and greenhouse plants are produced, little has been done to holistically understand and thoughtfully design irrigation reservoirs for specialty crop production. Irrigation reservoirs are not a new technology, but their design and successful implementation on-farm can help achieve water security, ensuring a supply of quality fresh water to put your mind at ease when water availability from typical sources (e.g., municipal, well, river, etc.) become limited. This article aims to transfer new design guidelines and tips for existing water retention reservoirs to greenhouse and nursery producers.

Technical Abstract: Quality freshwater is essential for growing plants, directly impacting profits when producing nursery and greenhouse crops. The increasing frequency of sporadic weather patterns that increase the risk of short rainless periods (meteorological drought) and reduced water supply (hydrological drought) can cause crop damage or loss. Recent and recurring droughts have made us rethink water security now and into the future. While reservoirs are commonplace where nursery and greenhouse plants are produced, little has been done to holistically understand and thoughtfully design irrigation reservoirs for specialty crop production. Irrigation reservoirs are not a new technology, but their design and successful implementation on-farm can help achieve water security, ensuring a supply of quality fresh water to put your mind at ease when water availability from typical sources (e.g., municipal, well, river, etc.) become limited. This article aims to transfer new design guidelines and tips for existing water retention reservoirs to greenhouse and nursery producers.