A Remote Sensing and GIS Approach to Model Irrigation Water Use in Washington’s WRIA 1

This talk is one of three graduate student presentations (~10-15 minutes each) to be delivered during this week's speaker series. 

In my research, I aim to develop a model derived from satellite imagery and weather station data to estimate agricultural irrigation in western Whatcom County (WRIA 1). Irrigation accounts for about 70% of the water used in this region but ground-based measurements are inconsistent, unreliable, and expensive, so the total quantity of agricultural water use is unknown. This, combined with decades of convoluted water rights policies, has caused tensions between water users in Whatcom County, ultimately leading to the initiation of a large court process called an adjudication to officially establish water rights for all users. By validating model-derived estimates, I hope to establish a more accessible, reliable, and cohesive method to measure agricultural water use. The results of my research could inform policymakers to help streamline the adjudication process and ultimately support water conservation efforts.