Catch Can Irrigation Uniformity Calculator
Analyze measured catch depths for lowest-quarter distribution uniformity and compare average/low-quarter runtime scenarios.
YOUR CALCULATION
Result
—
Calculation steps
Work through one step at a time or reveal the complete calculation. The steps use your current inputs.
How to calculate
Average all equally sampled depths and the lowest quarter separately. Divide low-quarter mean by overall mean and scale observed depths by test runtime.
DUlq=mean lowest quarter/overall mean; precipitation mm/h=mean depth×60/runtime minutes
Worked example
Catch depths 8,9,10,11 mm have mean 9.5 and lowest-quarter mean 8 mm, so DUlq≈84.2105%. A 20-minute test implies 28.5 mm/h average precipitation.
Assumptions and input details
Use equal-area representative catch locations and depth measurements from one common runtime. Sample count must be 4–100 and divisible by four. Container volumes need conversion to depth before entry; differing openings cannot be compared as raw mL. Zero depths are allowed, but not an all-zero test. If low-quarter mean is zero, no finite runtime reaches a positive low-quarter target in this constant-rate model. No performance grade or automatic watering recommendation is imposed.
References: New Mexico State University: catch-can audit and lowest-quarter DU
Using this calculator
Can I enter my own problem?
Yes. Replace the example values with your own inputs. The result, calculation steps, tables and applicable diagrams update from those inputs. Blank or invalid values clear the result; example values are never silently substituted for missing inputs.
Are the results exact?
Results use floating-point arithmetic and displayed rounding. Read the formula, assumptions and any stated data precision before interpreting the result.
Is my input uploaded?
The calculation runs in your browser. No account, file upload or external AI service is required. Inputs are not saved between page reloads.
Estimate irrigation volume and runtime from area, entered target water depth, effective rain, application efficiency and measured flow.
Split identical plant/emitter groups into source-flow-limited sequential zones and calculate entered target delivery times.
Convert US or Imperial gpm, L/min, cubic meters per hour and cubic feet per minute.
Reserved advertising space.