Technical assistance is provided to land owners, "cooperators", who are interested in conserving natural resources while using or developing property. Services provided to cooperators include:
- onsite evaluation of a problem, such as an inefficient irrigation system,
- conservation planning based on resource data such as soil type and crop water needs,
- design and/or specifications for the installation of conservation practices, such as erosion control structures.
Natural resource management and conservation planning information is provided to district cooperators with assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The RCRCD's Irrigation Water Management (IWM) Mobile Lab evaluates irrigation systems for efficiency and uniformity in applying water. The Mobile Lab staff travels to cropland, homes, and large turf areas at parks, schools, and golf courses to test irrigation systems. The staff develops a report with recommendations for system improvements, which helps irrigators conserve water and reduce expense.
The RCRCD office provides resource data and planning tools, including soil and water testing, soil survey maps, copies of historic aerial photos, and a technical guide Best Management Practices Handbook for Erosion and Sediment Control and Storm Water Retention/Detention.
For more information concerning the Mobile Lab, Click Here
Natural Resource Management and Conservation Planning
Natural resource management and conservation planning information is provided to district cooperators by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Conservationists meet onsite with landowners, evaluate resource concerns, and recommend alternatives. Conservation practices are also referred to as BMP's, Best Management Practices.
NRCS conservationists provide technical information to land owners to assist with preventing and repairing natural resource problems, such as soil erosion and sediment. Conservationists supply the standards and specifications to help land users properly install conservation measures.
When a site is being developed to a new use, conservationists help landowners develop conservation plans. Conservation plans inventory resources and offers alternatives for resource care and management. For example, if a landowner plans to develop a property to an avocado grove, the conservationist might discuss water availability, soil quality and capability, and erosion control alternatives such as cover crops, land-clearing techniques, check dams, and drain lines.
If you would like assistance, please contact District Conservationist, Bob Hewitt of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Bob can be reached at (951) 654-7733 or Robert.Hewitt@ca.usda.gov. Additionally, technical information can be found on the web at the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Irrigation Water Management Program (IWM)
The RCRCD's Irrigation Water Management Mobile Lab evaluates irrigated sites with operational systems. Irrigation systems are tested for uniformity and efficiency of water delivery. The onsite evaluation determines soil conditions and cultural practices that affect irrigation. A report is developed based on field test data, soils analysis, and weather data. A computer analysis determines irrigation scheduling based upon the system's operation and plant water needs. The report indicates potential water savings, deep percolation losses, and maintenance needs.
Property owners and managers, including farmers, ranchers, homeowners, landscape maintenance companies, and contractors may request an evaluation.
If you have questions or have an irrigation system that you would like to have evaluated, please e-mail us or call Kerwin Russell at (951) 683-7691 extension 203. Evaluations will be provided free of charge if your property lies within RCRCD boundaries or within the service area of Western Municipal Water District.
Over 800 evaluations on greater than 10,000 acres have been completed since 1987.
If your property lies within Los Angeles, Orange, or San Bernardino counties, or in other portions of Riverside County, Mobile Lab evaluations are conducted for a fee. Fees are based on irrigated acreage or system size. In the past, evaluations have been conducted for Santa Anita Race Track, the Los Angeles Coliseum, Hollywood Park, the City of Irvine, Southern California Edison, and several water districts and municipalities.
Some irrigation information, such as consumptive use or soils data, may be mailed or provided over the phone for non-district properties.
The IWM Mobile Lab is funded by Western Municipal Water District, the City of Riverside, and Metropolitan Water District. A California Department of Water Resources grant, created to assist drought-stricken California, helped establish the program. Since the 1980's, eight labs have been developed throughout the state, with four labs operating in Southern California.
Resource Data and Planning Tools
For technical information, tools, models, and data search the USDA Natural Resources Conservation website.
SOIL AND H2O TESTING SERVICE
The RCRCD provides a limited soil testing service, which can measure:
- Nitrate-nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Lime requirement
- Gypsum requirement
- pH
- Soil Texture
- Conductivity
Click Here for Sampling Information and costs.
Soil survey maps and data for Western Riverside and Orange Counties can be obtained by bringing a property location map to the RCRCD office. Soil maps for properties within the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District are published in the Soil Survey, Western Riverside, California, (published in 1971) which is also available at local libraries. US forest lands are not included. Copies of individual soils maps are provided free of charge.
Soil maps can be used for site analysis, water management evaluation, erosion control planning, and Environmental Impact Reports. Soil surveys provide information about a soil's suitability for crops, building sites, roads, septic systems, and land use. The boundaries of each soil type are overlaid onto aerial photos. Included in the survey are the Unified and AASHO engineering classifications for each soil type mapped. Soil surveys include information about a soil's
- drainage
- flood hazard
- depth to bedrock
- slope
- load bearing capacity
- shrink-swell capacity
If you would like soils information, please contact District Conservationist, Bob Hewitt with your property location (township, range, section, etc.) at (951) 684-1552, (951) 654-7733, or email him: email Robert Hewitt.
To obtain aerial photos, contact the Riverside County Flood Control office or a private company, such as Rupp in Corona. Find photos online by visiting a private company, such as mapquest.com. Aerials for properties in the City of Riverside can be found by clicking here.
For maps, imagery, and data resources information search the USDA Natural Resources Conservation website.
Best Management Practices Handbook for Erosion and Sediment Control and Storm Water Retention/Detention includes over 300 pages of conservation management information with detailed drawings depicting how to install conservation practices, which are also referred to as Best Management Practices or BMP's. This technical reference covers BMP's for Western Riverside and San Bernardino Counties and includes sections on:
- Understanding the erosion and sediment process
- How to write an erosion control plan
- BMP's for erosion and sediment control
- BMP's for storm water retention/detention
- Soils information for Western Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
The handbook was written by Bob Hewitt, local district conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and was developed by the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District.
The cost of this handbook is $45.00 per copy, plus $10.00 shipping. To order, please call the RCRCD office at (951) 683-7691 extension 207.