Properly designed, installed, and maintained irrigation systems save money and water. An understanding of basic irrigation hydraulics is necessary for any water manager.

Acquiring the knowledge of basic irrigation hydraulics is more complicated than it seems. Math, theory, water at rest, and water in motion are all part of the equation. As a result, the way hydraulics is taught might be more important than what is taught.

Dr. Franklin Gaudi, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo alumnus and a Project Manager for the Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC). Dr. Gaudi is skilled at making irrigation training interesting and will take us through the training. More importantly, he shares some stories about how he gets students to understand basic hydraulics. This will be educational and entertaining as well.

As a bonus, Dr. Peter Livingston will join us to discuss opportunities to learn more about irrigation by studying at Cal Poly. Dr. Livingston is the Department head for BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department. Dr. Livingston is the BRAE Department Head.

He came to Cal Poly from the University of Arizona, Tucson, where he was Associate Professor of Practice in the Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering Department. Peter has more than 35 years of professional experience in agricultural and water resources engineering and natural resources planning. He will provide information on other areas of study at Cal Poly as well.