Given the current drought, conserving freshwater is critical to the health of our society and ecology. Farmers tend to be conscious of their water use, for cost reasons if nothing else, and many have been proactively incorporating water-saving techniques for years. From high-tech sensor-based, computer-operated underground drip systems, to simply planting less, farmers across the state will do their best to keep the farm producing, and using less water to do so.

The Capay Valley is no exception. In the summer months, and parts of spring and fall, when rainfall is not adequate, farmers here rely on surface water from Cache Creek, as well as water pumped from generally strong underground aquifers. Cache Creek summer flows come from both Clear Lake and Indian Valley Reservoir, supporting not only agriculture but also recreation and rich riparian corridor flowing east to the Sacramento River. Due to a lack of rainfall, the available water for release this year is a mere 20 percent of that of last year. Low water levels also may mean the water is of low quality (high in minerals and salts), and less desirable than well water.

Trying to conserve use of their various wells, Capay Valley’s Riverdog Farm has been using drip irrigation wherever feasible. By using a special ‘drip tape,’ a thin plastic hose with evenly spaced holes, the water is deposited closer to the plant’s (or tree’s) roots, targeting water usage to grow the valuable crop. Compared to overhead sprinklers, the use of drip tape reduces water lost through evaporation and pooling, and fewer weeds emerge.

Full Belly Farm in Guinda has been making improvements to reduce water use for years. They have used water-saving drip irrigation on corn and melons, crops usually grown with furrow or overhead sprinkler irrigation. Most recently the farm incorporated a deep underground drip system that could hopefully last several years once put into place. For their largest summer crop, tomatoes, Full Belly digs a furrow and places the drip tape 10” underground. Because it is deep, the tape will not be harmed by tractor work just above. This allows the farm to rotate crops through one area, while keeping the water-saving irrigation system in place.