We are a research team from Indiana University Bloomington, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Florida, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and University of Montana. We are investigating irrigation water use (IWU) trends across the United States using Earth observation and citizen science approaches.
NOTE: This project is public so we can submit it through our University’s IRB office. Submission of data will not begin until this summer.
In the United States, the lack of field-scale observed IWU data limits the validation of satellite-derived IWU products and constrains the accuracy of hydrological and climate modeling. Currently, irrigation estimates largely rely on model-based data rather than direct observations, introducing significant uncertainty in understanding how, when, and where water is applied for crops. Understanding IWU is scientifically crucial, especially under increasingly irregular precipitation patterns and intensifying climate variability.
As rainfall becomes less predictable, irrigation serves as a critical buffer to sustain crop productivity and food security. Improved knowledge of IWU dynamics helps quantify agricultural water demand, evaluate water-use efficiency, and better model feedback between irrigation, land surface processes, and regional climate. By integrating satellite data with information directly from farmers, this research advances the accuracy of IWU mapping and supports more resilient and adaptive water-management strategies in agriculture.
If you are a farmer, we invite you to complete this survey each day you irrigate your field. Data from this survey will contribute to a public dashboard with regional irrigation information, and we will send you regular updates about this. All data will be anonymized and aggregated to the regional level to protect individual identities.
As a participant of this project, you will: 1) Receive customized feedback on your irrigation practices that may help improve water-use efficiency. 2) Gain access to field-scale maps and insights derived from satellite data for your fields. 3) Learn about opportunities to reduce irrigation costs while maintaining or improving yields. 4) Contribute to a broader effort to secure sustainable water resources for agriculture in your community and across the U.S
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Yaqian He at yaqhe@iu.edu.
Farmer Irrigation Nation 