CPH Irrigation and Water Management Flashcards
6 cards from real CPH practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CPH Irrigation and Water Management flashcards as text
What is the primary advantage of a 'smart' or weather-based irrigation controller over a standard timer?
Answer: It automatically adjusts watering schedules based on real-time or historical weather data
Smart controllers use ET data or on-site weather sensors to automatically adjust runtimes, preventing overwatering and conserving water without manual reprogramming.
What causes 'water hammer' in an irrigation system?
Answer: Sudden changes in water velocity creating damaging pressure surges
Water hammer occurs when rapidly closing valves cause sudden velocity changes that produce destructive pressure surges, potentially cracking pipes and fittings.
What is the typical minimum operating pressure required for most standard pop-up spray heads to function correctly?
Answer: 30 PSI
Most pop-up spray heads are engineered to perform at a minimum of 30 PSI; operating below this threshold reduces throw radius and distribution uniformity.
The application rate of drip emitters is most directly determined by:
Answer: The emitter's rated flow rate in gallons per hour and the spacing between emitters
Application rate depends on each emitter's rated flow (GPH) and the spacing between emitters; both must be matched to soil infiltration rate to prevent runoff.
The purpose of 'zoning' in irrigation system design is to:
Answer: Group plants with similar water requirements into the same irrigation circuit
Zoning groups plants with similar water needs into the same circuit so each zone receives the precise amount of water its plants require.
What is 'cycle and soak' irrigation scheduling?
Answer: Running multiple short irrigation cycles with rest periods between them to improve soil infiltration
Cycle and soak splits a full irrigation run into two or more shorter cycles separated by rest periods, allowing water to percolate into the soil and reducing surface runoff.