Week 6: Getting Out of Deep Water

Arwen H -

Welcome back guys! While it may be week 6, this is the first week I have started my new research method of analyzing the documents surrounding the WSC program to complete a formative evaluation (evaluating a program that is still in development). This still follows the AP Research guidelines that our research has to be adding something new to conversation since due to how recent the program is (as I learned the hard way through my survey), little analysis has been completed on it.

So to add to the conversation, I have begun by gathering the links of over 60 news articles, irrigation district websites, USDA documents, and FSA documents and will be going over every single one of them with a fine-tooth comb to see if the program fits the criteria for a successful water conservation program. For reference, those criteria are as follows: sufficient funding, motivation for voluntary participation, stakeholder involvement, distinction between effective and ineffective water conservation activities, the correct definition of water conservation, and benefits that are felt on-farm as opposed to off-farm. I found these criteria when creating my literature review for my final paper and reading other researcher’s analysis of why similar water conservation programs had succeeded or failed in the past.

On top of beginning my new research method. I have also had to go back and edit my introduction, literature review, and methodology sections of my paper to reflect the changes in my project. This has actually been one of the things I have found most interesting about the whole project as I would have never guessed that the sections of my final research paper that I wrote back when I was still on campus would change as drastically as they have. And I am sure they will be changing even more as later this week, I will be sending what I have so far to my expert advisor to hopefully get another set of eyes on it.

Finally, I just wanted to thank you guys for sticking with me through this change in plans and I know that my final product will be better because of it!

Till next time!

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    tiffany_e
    Hi Arwen! I'm glad that you were able to come up with a new plan of action! You mentioned "the correct definition of water conservation" as a criteria for a successful water conservation program. What exactly is the correct definition and why would/could it be incorrect?
    March 21, 2025 at 8:41 am - Reply
    Aashneel C.
    Hi Arwen, could it be possible for certain groups to stretch their capabilities to be seen as a water conservation program? Maybe something along the lines of manipulating stakeholder involvement or the amount of voluntary participation.
    March 24, 2025 at 8:14 am - Reply
    arwen_h
    Hi Tiffany, that's an amazing question! Quite a common phenomenon in the study of irrigation practices is the "irrigation efficiency paradox" which states that when irrigation systems on a farm are improved, the farm's water usage becomes more efficient and there is less of their set allotment of water leftover. And while this seems as though it would be a good thing, that leftover water can often be used for other purposes down stream. Therefore, when irrigation systems improve, the water removed from the basin doesn't decrease, only the excess water remaining. Therefore, in this study, the correct definition of water conservation would be defining water use in terms of depletion levels from the basin as a whole instead of water applied by individual farmers.
    March 24, 2025 at 10:33 am - Reply
    arwen_h
    Hey Aashneel, thanks for the question! I would say it would be possible for water conservation programs to appear on paper to be doing more good than they actually are in real life. As I was addressing in my response to Tiffany, many irrigation improvements that on paper sound ideal can actually lead to no significant decrease in water depletion from the basin or even worsen it.
    March 24, 2025 at 10:39 am - Reply

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