Introduction
In today’s economy, it is easy to forget about looking ahead to implementing state-of-the-art technology and instead focus on “just getting by.” However, continual improvements in technology provide the backbone in processes and systems to increase efficiency and provide protection from the vulnerabilities caused by antiquated methods. Technological advances affect all aspects of irrigation and water system operations, from engineering, planning and finance, to system operations and environmental protection. This Conference will provide a forum for presentation and discussion of advancements in technology, and demonstrate its application to all areas of irrigation and water resource system planning, engineering, operation and maintenance.
The Conference will incorporate a one-day session dedicated to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. This session is designed to continue exchange of ideas and information regarding state-of-the-art SCADA systems, building upon previous USCID conferences on this subject. In addition to presentation of current research and applications, representatives from private sector suppliers of irrigation equipment, sensors, SCADA hardware and software, and related technologies will be present at the conference to discuss the latest advances in equipment.
Participants in this multi-disciplinary Conference will be professionals from the U.S. and abroad with an interest in irrigation, drainage and water resources planning, including engineers, scientists and managers representing water districts, government agencies, academia and consulting firms. The conference will be held in Fort Collins, Colorado, which offers access to Colorado State University, one of the nation’s premier universities in water resources and irrigation, and a multitude of recreational and entertainment opportunities.
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Who Should Attend?
Conference attendees will include water resources professionals, irrigation district managers, growers, government agency managers and staff, consultants and academicians from the U.S. and overseas.
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Conference Format and Program
The Conference will begin with a Tuesday morning field tour to agricultural and irrigation sites east of Fort Collins. Michael Gabaldon, Director of Technical Resources for the Bureau of Reclamation, will deliver the opening keynote address during lunch at the Conference hotel. The Tuesday afternoon Plenary Session will feature three keynote presentations on topics addressing the Conference Theme:
- Interstate Compacts — Dick Wolfe, State Engineer and Director of the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Denver, CO
- Remote Sensing — Luis Garcia, Head, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Invited)
- Platte River Recovery Implementation Program — Jerry Kenny, Executive Director, Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, Kearney, NE
The Plenary Session will also feature a Panel Discussion on The Future of Irrigated Agriculture. Panelists include:
- Steven C. Macaulay, West Yost Associates, Davis, CA
- Mark Sponsler, Colorado Corn Growers Association, Greeley, CO
- Jeffrey J. Lukas, CIRES-NOAA Western Water Assessment, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
- Eric Wilkinson, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Berthoud, CO
Wednesday papers will be presented in a Plenary Session, addressing two Conference Topics: Water Policy and Water Law; and Canal Operations and Management. A full day session on SCADA Implementation will take place on Thursday, held concurrently with sessions on Evapotranspiration and Water Management and Quality Issues. Additional papers will be presented during the Poster Session, held during the continental breakfast and breaks on Thursday.
Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory J. Hobbs will be the featured speaker during the dinner on Wednesday evening. The Thursday lunch speaker will be Marvin E. Jensen, retired from the Agricultural Research Service, USDA, and Colorado State University.
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Exhibition and Sponsorships
An Exhibition will be held Tuesday evening and Wednesday. To maximize opportunities for exhibitors to meet with Conference participants, several functions will take place in the exhibition hall, including the Tuesday opening reception, and continental breakfast, buffet lunch and coffee breaks on Wednesday.
The Tuesday Plenary Session will conclude with Meet the Exhibitors, providing an opportunity for exhibitors to give a brief summary of their products and services. The welcome reception in the exhibit hall will immediately follow.
Conference Exhibitors are listed below. Additional Exhibitors will be listed as they reserve their space.
Conference Sponsors are listed below.
Exhibition and Sponsorship Information.
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Continuing Education Units
CEUs offered through Colorado State University will be available for participants of the Conference. Information will be available at the Conference.
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Hotel and Airport Transportation
The Conference will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 425 West Prospect Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526, www.fortcollins.hilton.com. Located near Colorado State University and downtown Fort Collins, the hotel includes a fitness center, 24-hour business center, complimentary parking and the Toscana Restaurant.
The rate for Conference participants is $90 single or double, plus tax. To make reservations, call the Hilton at 970-482-2626 and ask for the special USCID rate. The room block at this rate is guaranteed only through September 9, 2010. Reservations made after September 9 will be on a space available basis.
Hourly shuttle service to and from Denver International Airport is available from Super Shuttle. A schedule and online reservations at http://www.supershuttle.com/en/DENAirportShuttleFortCollins.html, or call 970-482-0505. Another shuttle service is Green Ride Colorado, www.greenrideco.com, 888-472-6656.
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Enjoy Downtown Fort Collins
On Thursday evening, complimentary transportation will be provided for participants to enjoy the many dining and entertainment options in downtown Fort Collins. Sample the local brews, enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants and experience outdoor dining and people watching on Old Town Square.
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Field Tours
Tuesday, September 28
The Field Tour will travel east of Fort Collins to visit the USDA-ARS Limited Irrigation Research Farm. The Farm uses drip irrigation to develop water:yield relationships for Central Plains crops. Then, tour participants will visit innovative gate and control structures along the New Cache La Poudre Irrigating Company’s #2 canal. A new reservoir, an equalizer reservoir, a pump station and actuated gates near Greeley will also be visited. The tour will leave the hotel at 7:30 a.m. and return by 11:30 a.m.
The tour will leave the hotel at 8:00 a.m. and return by 11:30 a.m.
Friday, October 1
This day-long tour will begin with a visit to the Colorado State University Hydraulics Laboratory. The tour will then go to Horsetooth Reservoir, part of the Bureau of Reclamation's Colorado-Big Thompson Project, and the proposed Glade Reservoir site, an integral component of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District's proposed Northern Integrated Supply Project.
The tour will continue through the beautiful Big Thompson Canyon to the town of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, with a chance to hear and watch elk bugle during the fall mating season. The tour will conclude with a visit to Carter Lake, near Loveland, to visit the newly completed Carter Lake Outlet Project.
The tour will begin at 8:00 a.m. and return to the hotel by 5:00 p.m.
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Guest Program
The Guest Registration Fee of $150 includes the reception on Tuesday evening, continental breakfasts on Wednesday and Thursday, reception and dinner on Wednesday, Thursday evening downtown transportation, the Tuesday field tour and the Friday field tour with lunch.
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Registration
In addition to the Conference Technical Sessions, Poster Session and Exhibition, the Participant Registration Fee includes the field tours on Tuesday morning and Friday. Also included are lunches on Tuesday through Friday; reception on Tuesday; reception and dinner on Wednesday; continental breakfast on Wednesday and Thursday; downtown transportation Thursday evening; and the Proceedings.
To receive the Early Registration Rate, you must register by September 17. The Late Registration Fee applies to registrations received after September 17 and on-site registrations. The Registration Fee can be pre-paid by check or credit card (VISA/MasterCard) or purchase order. Reduced registration fees are offered to USCID Members and to authors. Online Registration
Cancellation Policy: To receive a refund, USCID must receive notice of cancellation by the end of business on September 24. All refunds are subject to a $25 processing fee. After September 24, the registration fee is not refundable, but substitutions are acceptable.
Please note: USCID will not waive the Conference registration fee, nor provide funding or scholarships for participants to attend the Conference. USCID will not seek funding from donors or other sources for participants.
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Conference Planning Committee
Gerald A. Gibbens, General Chairman, MWH Americas, Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado
Altaf A. Abro, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Khaled Bali, University of California, Davis, Holtville, California
Richard Belt, Aqua Engineering, Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado
Joe E. Blankenship, Natel Energy, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ
Mark A.Crookston, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Berthoud, Colorado
Luis A. Garcia, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
Suat Irmak, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska
Samuel W. Schaefer, GEI Consultants, Bookman-Edmonston Division, Bakersfield, California
Larry J. Schluntz, Consultant, Longmont, Colorado
Stephen W. Smith, Regenesis Management Group, Fort Collins, Colorado
Dan Steele, FreeWave Technologies, Inc., Boulder, Colorado
Thomas J. Trout, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Fort Collins, Colorado
Tony Wahl, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colorado
Darell D. Zimbelman, Consultant, Loveland, Colorado
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