Irrigation Science

Irrigation Science and Management at the University of Wyoming focuses on developing practical tools and applied research that help ranchers and water managers improve irrigation practices and strengthen locally driven water administration. Funds raised on Giving Day will directly support field instrumentation, data collection, researchers, and students—providing Wyoming producers with the reliable information they need to make timely confident irrigation decisions.

Your gift will have an immediate impact by enabling graduate and undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience in hydrology, soil and plant sciences, and water policy. It will also strengthen partnerships with ranchers, state agencies, and water managers to improve irrigation scheduling, enhance transparency in water delivery, and test on-farm approaches that reduce conflict and support long-term agricultural productivity.

Projects supported include measuring water balances at the field, ditch, and ranch scale; advancing scheduling tools that integrate plant-soil-water interactions; and developing locally relevant approaches to irrigation administration. This work not only informs day-to-day decision making but also builds a stronger foundation for understanding how Wyoming’s irrigated systems shape its economy, landscapes, wildlife, and communities.

Together, these investments advance the University of Wyoming’s mission to deliver science-based locally driven solutions for agriculture and water management—ensuring resilient operations for ranchers and effective stewardship of Wyoming’s water resources.