Available Water Content (AWC) is Semios' primary soil moisture view. It shows how much plant-available water remains in the root zone and helps determine when irrigation may be needed.
Unlike Volumetric Water Content (VWC), which measures the total amount of water in the soil, AWC is normalized so that 100% always represents a full soil profile. This makes it easier to compare soil moisture conditions across different soil types and locations.
Step 1: Open the AWC View
Navigate to Water Management.
Select Soil.
Enable the soil layer in the map.
The first value displayed is the Root Zone Average, which represents the average Available Water Content within the active root zone.
Step 2: Open AWC Details
Select a block or monitoring location.
Open the Graphs tab.
Locate the Available Water Content (AWC) chart.
The AWC chart shows soil moisture trends over time, along with irrigation, rainfall, and forecasted moisture conditions.
Step 3: Understand the AWC Colors
Color | Meaning |
Blue | Soil is too wet |
Green | Ideal soil moisture |
Yellow | Moderate water stress |
Orange | Severe water stress |
Dark Orange | Extreme water stress |
The goal is generally to keep soil moisture within the green zone whenever possible.
The boundary between the green and yellow zones is the Refill Point (MAD Threshold). By default, this threshold is set at 70% AWC.
Step 4: Understand the AWC Percentage Scale
AWC is displayed on a scale from 0% to 100%.
100% AWC means the soil is holding as much plant-available water as possible.
Lower percentages indicate that water has been depleted from the root zone.
It is normal to occasionally see values above 100% immediately after irrigation or rainfall. This represents excess water moving through the soil profile. If values remain above 100% for more than 24 hours, contact your Semios representative for support.
Step 5: Review Water Events
The AWC chart includes Water Events, which display irrigation and rainfall events.
Comparing these events to the soil moisture trend can help you evaluate how the soil responded and whether irrigation is reaching the intended root zone.
Step 6: Use the Forecast
The AWC chart includes a forecast showing projected soil moisture trends over the next several days.
Use the forecast to:
Estimate when soil moisture may reach the refill point.
Determine when irrigation may be needed.
Evaluate whether scheduled irrigations are likely to keep soil moisture in the target range.
If irrigation schedules have been entered into the Irrigation Scheduler, Semios can also predict how planned irrigations may affect future soil moisture levels.
Step 7: Monitor the Right Depths
Most irrigation decisions should focus on the active root zone, where the majority of water uptake occurs.
Some growers also monitor deeper depths to identify over-irrigation and determine whether water is moving beyond the root zone.
Key Takeaways
Use the AWC chart to:
Monitor root zone soil moisture.
Track irrigation and rainfall events.
Identify when irrigation may be needed.
Monitor soil moisture forecasts.
Evaluate irrigation effectiveness.
Detect potential over-irrigation.
The goal is generally to keep soil moisture within the green zone and avoid prolonged periods of water stress.