Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2006KY68B

Monitoring Soil Moisture for Efficient Use of Irrigated Water on Selected Grass Lawn

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2006 Start Date: 2006-03-01 End Date: 2007-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $4,979 Total Non-Federal Funds: $10,523

Principal Investigators: Samuel Boateng

Project Summary: Excess precipitation and/or irrigation can cause a drastic increase in soil moisture with the consequent adverse effects of increased storm runoff. Recently, Sanitation District 1 initiated a program to manage urban storm water in Northern Kentucky in compliance with USEPA regulations. The purpose of the proposed program is to mitigate the adverse environmental and ecological effects of increased storm runoff. Efficient use of irrigated water on grass lawns has the potential to reduce excess soil moisture and decrease the potential for increased runoff over such surfaces during storm events. Thus, a study that will look into the factors affecting irrigated water infiltration (soil slope, soil texture, and soil moisture) will help in planning irrigation schedules that will reduce excess soil moisture.