This article explains how irrigation activity is measured, how Applied Water values are calculated, and what pressure readings can reveal about system performance.
How is irrigation activity measured?
Irrigation activity is measured using pressure sensors installed on the irrigation system.
Pressure Transducers
Pressure transducers measure the pressure in the irrigation line and report the actual pressure value. When the pressure rises above a configured threshold, the system records irrigation activity as On. When pressure falls below the threshold, irrigation activity is recorded as Off.
Pressure Switches
Some installations use pressure switches instead of pressure transducers. Pressure switches send a simple on/off signal when pressure exceeds a preset value, typically 5 psi.
Unlike pressure transducers, pressure switches cannot report the actual pressure in the line.
How is Applied Water calculated?
Applied Water values shown on maps, charts, summaries, and reports are calculated by multiplying:
Irrigation Run Time × Application Rate
Application rates are configured at the block level under:
If an application rate has not been entered, the system uses a default value.
Because irrigation system designs and flow rates vary significantly, entering actual application rates is strongly recommended to improve the accuracy of Applied Water calculations.
Learn more about emitter configurations here.
What can I learn from irrigation on/off times?
Irrigation activity data helps verify that irrigation is occurring as intended.
Many growers discover that actual irrigation times differ from planned irrigation schedules due to operational delays, scheduling changes, or system issues.
Monitoring irrigation activity can help:
Confirm irrigations occurred as expected.
Identify missed or shortened irrigation events.
Improve irrigation consistency and efficiency.
If irrigation schedules are entered in the Irrigation Scheduler, you can compare scheduled irrigation events with actual irrigation activity.
What do periodic pressure drops indicate?
Regular pressure drops during irrigation are often caused by filter backflushing events.
These brief pressure reductions are typically normal and expected.
However, if pressure drops by more than 8 psi during backflushing, it may indicate that the filters are not cleaning effectively and may require maintenance.
How can I monitor filter pressure?
For properties with filter stations, a dedicated Filter Pressure section is available under Irrigation Activity.
This section includes its own station dropdown, allowing you to select the filter station you want to review.
Once a station is selected, you can view:
Pre-filter and post-filter pressure: An overlay chart displays pre-filter pressure in green and post-filter pressure in orange, making it easy to compare pressure on either side of the filter.
Pressure differential: A separate chart shows the difference between pre-filter and post-filter pressure (pre-filter minus post-filter). This can help identify increasing pressure differences that may indicate filter clogging.
Reviewing these charts can make it easier to identify changes in filter performance and determine when filters may require attention or maintenance.
Note: The Filter Pressure section only appears on properties that have filter stations installed.
What can pressure data tell me about my irrigation system?
Pressure data can provide valuable insight into irrigation system performance.
High Pressure
Higher-than-expected pressure may indicate:
Pressure settings that are too high.
Plugged or restricted emitters.
Reduced water flow through the irrigation system.
If soil moisture is not responding as expected, plugged emitters may be a possible cause.
Low Pressure
Lower-than-expected pressure may indicate:
Pump performance issues.
A leak in the irrigation system.
An irrigation set that is too large for the available capacity.
Large Pressure Drops During Irrigation
Pressure drops greater than 8 psi during backflushing events may indicate that the filter system requires maintenance.
Reviewing pressure trends regularly can help identify irrigation system issues before they affect crop performance.