🌾 Water-Opt: Rice Growing Decision Tool

About This Project

Water-Opt is a decision support tool built for Central California rice growers facing the annual choice between growing rice or fallowing their land and selling conserved water rights. The tool integrates real-world data from:

• Hydrology: NRCS SNOTEL stations and DWR Bulletin 120 forecasts
• Markets: USDA ERS Rice Outlook price data
• Land Use: CA DWR Statewide Crop Mapping
• Compliance: California water transfer regulatory framework

Key Features

• Profit Comparison: Real-time calculation of growing vs. fallowing profitability
• Breakeven Analysis: Determine the water price threshold for decision-making
• Sensitivity Analysis: Tornado charts showing impact of parameter variations
• Hydrology Scenarios: Dry/Median/Wet water year planning
• Spatial Visualization: 20,000+ rice fields mapped in Sacramento Valley
• Regulatory Compliance: Built-in guardrails and water transfer requirements