Rotorua at Upper Oturoa Rd
| Site Info: |
The Rotorua at Otoroa raingauge and soil probe was installed to enhance the monitoring programme associated with the long term mangement of Lake Rotorua and to assist farmers with their farm management, especially effluent irrigation.
Soil Moisture Information:
The soil moisture data shows the percentage of moisture in the top 250mm of soil. Soil moistures are separated into three zones: Red, Yellow and Green, with the Field Capacity line at the top of the Red Zone showing the maximum amount of water that the soil can hold. Guidance for effluent irrigation management is set out below with reference to these three zones.
Field Capacity: The maximum amount of water the soil can hold is expressed as a percentage of soil volume, for this soil the field capacity is 49%.
Guidance for effluent management - with a travelling irrigator
►Red Zone (above 39% soil moisture)
Effluent irrigation with a travelling irrigator should not occur when readings are within the Red Zone as soil moisture is considered to be too close to Field Capacity. There is a high risk that the effluent would make its way into waterways either by overland flow or via drainage.
►Yellow Zone (between 29% - 39% soil moisture)
Effluent irrigation with a travelling irrigator may commence with caution when readings are within the Yellow Zone. Irrigation needs to be carried out with care. A travelling irrigator needs to be set at maximum travelling speed as there is still a medium to high risk for effluent to enter waterways either by overland flow or via drainage.
►Green Zone (below 29% soil moisture)
Effluent irrigation with a travelling irrigator can operate within the Green Zone with a much reduced risk of effluent entering waterways either by overland flow or via drainage through mole/tile drains, provided best management practices for irrigating are followed and the irrigator remains set at maximum travelling speed. Be cautious with effluent application when the soil is extremely dry as effluent may move straight to drains via soil cracks. |
| Grid Reference: |
U15:826 471 |
| Elevation (m): |
560 |
| Other Info: |
Historical Data Summaries (9.73 MB)
Rainfall Summary Report
|
Latest Summary
| Sensor |
Latest Sample (NZST) |
Latest Value |
Alarm Status |
| Rainfall Depth |
2.5 mm | 08-Sep-2010 08:00 | N/A |
| Soil Moisture |
53.34 % | 08-Sep-2010 08:00 | Red Zone - Do NOT irrigate if above 39%
|
| Soil Temperature |
8.59 deg. C | 08-Sep-2010 08:00 | N/A |
Click on a sensor name to view graphs and samples
Disclaimer
Real-time data available on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council web site are provisional
data that have not been reviewed or edited in any way. This data may be subject
to significant change before being reviewed and archived for subsequent use.
Data users are cautioned to consider carefully the provisional nature of the information
before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety, or the conduct
of business that involves monetary or operational consequences.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council, its employees and external suppliers of data, while providing
this information in good faith, accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage,
injury in value to any person, service or otherwise resulting from its use.
