Low Elevation Precision Agriculture (LEPA) places the emitter type sprinkler on or just above the soil surface. Low Elevation Sprinkler Application (LESA) has the sprinklers located three feet or less above the soil surface and uses spray type sprinklers. Both technologies improve sprinkler system application efficiency, reduce the direct evaporation from the sprinkler, reduce moisture loss from wet leaves, and require less pressure to operate. This reduces pump power consumption. Although the technology is primarily used on pivots, it can also be used with lateral move irrigation systems.
Partnering with Washington State University (WSU) and University of Idaho (U of I), BPA funded a demonstration pilot to assess the viability and suitability of the LEPA and LESA for broader deployment in the Pacific Northwest. LEPA and LESA technology was originally designed for center pivot irrigation in areas with short water supply and high energy costs. These measures are very popular in the Midwest and Texas. In the Pacific Northwest, the typical center pivot has sprinklers on the top pipe or on drop tubes, or Mid Elevation Sprinkler Application (MESA).
WSU and U of I focused their research on LESA and found water savings of five to 15 percent. They also determined that LESA systems may reduce fertilizer requirements and have the potential to improve crop quality and yield. This means that on top of saving energy, water, and money, LESA is also beneficial to crops!
