Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID MI_2025_Das3

Detecting and evaluating irrigation water usage efficiency in Michigan using very high-resolution satellite SAR-Based soil moisture observations

Institute: Michigan
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $10,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $10,000

Principal Investigators: Narendra Das

Project Summary: Michigan's agricultural sector has experienced a significant increase in irrigation over the past decades, with irrigated areas expanding by approximately 70% from 1997 to 2017 . This growth has led to heightened groundwater withdrawals, raising concerns about the sustainability of water resources. To address these challenges, our project aims to utilize high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data for effective detection and quantification of irrigation practices across Michigan. By integrating SAR-based soil moisture data, we seek to monitor irrigation events, assess water usage efficiency, and support sustainable agricultural practices in the region. This approach offers a promising solution for continuous monitoring and informed decision-making in irrigation management