A major part of any irrigation management is determining irrigation dates and how much water should be applied during each irrigation. This decision-making process is referred to as irrigation scheduling.

Successful irrigation scheduling depends on the performance of an irrigation system. In particular, it depends on the uniformity with which water is applied across the field, distribution uniformity, and by extension the efficiency of the irrigation system. The farmer or manager must therefore know the performance of the irrigation system.

Mobile Irrigation Laboratories evaluate the performance of irrigation systems. The laboratories measure water application rates and system distribution uniformity and give recommendations for irrigation system improvement, if necessary.

DWR is attempting to expand the mobile lab service to small farms and landscape water users. Increasing uniformity, decreasing over-application of water, and reducing runoff saves water to help sustain California's economic predominance. Education is the key to management of water resources and Mobile Labs can help in that education.