Large irrigation district adds low-maintenance Doppler sensors to its monitoring mix

Overview
Seeking a flow monitoring alternative for areas where mechanical meters were problematic, the Central California Irrigation District found an affordable and reliable solution with AgriFlo XCi meters and Doppler insert velocity sensors.

Challenge
From its point of origin at Jones Pumping Plant, The 117-mile long Delta Mendota Canal in central California delivers water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the Mendota Pool in the San Joaquin Valley, where it travels through a 500-mile network of gravity-fed canals maintained by the Central California Irrigation District (CCID) to its final destination: the fields of more than 1,600 central valley growers.

CCID is charged with monitoring hundreds of turnouts, making sure irrigation water arrives at its destination unimpeded and canal operators have the information they need to anticipate demand through the growing season.

For decades the district largely relied on mechanical propeller meters to monitor flow at diversion points along the canals. CCID SCADA Specialist John Relvas says that the meters were readily available and typically performed well. But at several locations, routine maintenance was required to ensure the propeller meters performed to district standards.

Solution
CCID sought a suitable alternative to monitor flow in sub-surface, reinforced concrete pipes ranging in size from 24 to 72 inches. They found what they were looking for in the AgriFlo XCi and Doppler Insert Velocity Sensor.

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