Utah’s Lost Water: Scientists Track Evapotranspiration with New Sensor Network
Utah is losing a significant amount of water to evapotranspiration, but the details of this process have been poorly understood until now. Kathryn Ladig and her team of scientists have set up a state-of-the-art sensor network called the Utah Flux Network to track the amount of water evaporating from water bodies, soil, and plants in real-time.
This network includes nine monitoring stations across the state, from southern Utah to northern salt flats, with plans to install more in the future. The data collected from these stations could have a big impact on Utah’s water conservation efforts and reaching its future water goals. By understanding how much water is lost through evapotranspiration, lawmakers and farmers can make more informed decisions about water use and efficiency.
The Utah Flux Network data can also help in ongoing Colorado River negotiations and provide insights for agriculture practices. This groundbreaking research will provide valuable information to stakeholders and decision-makers, ensuring a more sustainable future for Utah’s water resources.
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Photo credit www.kuer.org
