Approximately one-third of the flowmeters in the URNRD are now able to transmit readings in near real-time over a radio network, and the next round of installations is planned to begin late this year. The telemetry project will allow farmers to know exactly how much water they’ve applied over a given timeframe and how that usage affects their remaining allocation.

Irrigators will also be able to see how their usage compares to evapotranspiration estimates from three NRD-owned weather stations in the district, one in each county. Evapotranspiration is the sum of evaporation of water on surface area, such as plant leaves and soil, and transpiration of water by crops.

Currently, NRD staff are installing ground cables on digital meter heads that have been installed to ensure that electrical interference doesn’t affect operation of the units. That work is expected to be completed this spring.

The project is made possible by cooperation from Highline Electric Association, based in Holyoke, Colo., and Y-W Electric Association, based in Akron, Colo. Both have developed the infrastructure, including towers and gateways, necessary to utilize a Sensus-based radio network to get readings from their electrical meters. Both Highline and Y-W allow URNRD meters to communicate with their towers and gateways at a reasonable cost to the URNRD.