Smart irrigation planning starts with accurate field efficiency. Track runoff, percolation, and evaporation in seconds. Enter volumes, compare losses, and export clean project reports.
Tip: You can enter values directly, or use optional methods to compute them.
| Scenario | Applied (mm) | Beneficial (mm) | Runoff (mm) | Percolation (mm) | Evap/Drift (mm) | Ea (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open-channel to sprinkler zone | 45 | 32 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 71.11 |
| Hose-fed compaction curing area | 30 | 24 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 80.00 |
| Drip line on planted embankment | 18 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 88.89 |
Temporary irrigation supports dust control, landscaping establishment, and moisture conditioning of soils. Application efficiency (Ea) quantifies how much applied water becomes beneficial storage in the intended zone. Tracking Ea reduces pumping time, tanker trips, and schedule risk, while improving documentation for owners and permit requirements. Consistent efficiency records also help compare crews, zones, and equipment settings over time. This supports daily budgeting and water-use accountability.
Applied water can be entered as a measured depth over area, or computed from flow rate and run time. Beneficial stored water can be entered from field tests, or estimated from soil moisture change across a defined root zone depth. Losses are recorded as runoff, deep percolation, and evaporation or drift. Keep units consistent and note the irrigated area boundaries used for calculations.
Ea (%) = (Beneficial ÷ Applied) × 100. The calculator also reports the percentage share of each loss component. If beneficial plus losses exceeds applied water, inputs are inconsistent; the applied depth is adjusted upward to match the balance and a note is shown so you can recheck measurements.
Area 2,500 m²; applied 45 mm; beneficial 32 mm; runoff 4 mm; percolation 6 mm; evaporation/drift 3 mm. Ea ≈ 71.11%. Optional: conveyance 92% and uniformity 85% help estimate overall delivery performance. If target net depth is 30 mm, gross depth is about 42.19 mm at the same Ea.
High runoff suggests reducing application rate, using cycle-and-soak, or improving surface preparation. High percolation indicates smaller pulses and timing aligned to infiltration capacity. High evaporation or drift favors low-wind scheduling, lower nozzle angles, or drip lines. Recalculate after changes to confirm measurable improvement.
Ea is the percentage of applied water that becomes beneficial storage in the intended soil zone. Higher Ea means less wasted water and fewer losses to runoff, deep drainage, or evaporation.
Use applied depth if you already have a measured depth over the area. Use flow rate and duration when your source is metered or pump output is known and you want the calculator to compute depth.
You can enter a measured net depth directly, or estimate it from soil moisture change before and after irrigation using a defined root zone depth. Keep moisture readings consistent in time and location.
That indicates inconsistent inputs. The calculator will adjust applied depth upward to match the water balance and display a note. Recheck measurements, area, and unit conversions for the run.
Lower application rate, use shorter cycles with soak periods, and avoid watering during heavy wind. Improve surface grading, add mulch or erosion control blankets, and consider drip lines for planted slopes.
Uniformity reflects how evenly water is applied across the area. Low uniformity often leads to overwatering some zones to meet minimum needs elsewhere. Improving nozzle selection, pressure, and spacing can increase uniformity.
Export CSV for spreadsheets, trend charts, and multi-day summaries. Export PDF for daily field reports, QA submittals, and client documentation. Both formats help create consistent, auditable water-use records.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.