Projected changes in water demand and potential water savings for US grown rice under alternate wetting and drying practice

Authors: YESILKOY, SERHAN - Orise Fellow; Fleisher, David; BEEGUM, SAHILA - University Of Nebraska-Lincoln; Timlin, Dennis

Submitted to: Agricultural Water Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/3/2026
Publication Date: 8/8/2026
Citation: Yesilkoy, S., Fleisher, D.H., Beegum, S., Timlin, D.J. 2026. Projected changes in water demand and potential water savings for US grown rice under alternate wetting and drying practice. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 334. Article 110683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110683.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110683

Interpretive Summary: Rice grown in the United States makes up about 10% of the world’s rice trade and adds over $6 billion to the U.S. economy each year. Ways to reduce the amount of water used in rice production while maintaining yields are important to reduce farm production costs. This study utilizes mathematical models to evaluate the efficiency of the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) approach for rice water management. The results show that AWD can save water and still produce high yields, but how well it works depends on where the rice is grown. The findings support US farmers and crop consultants by providing data-driven decision-making information to improve farm production capacity and efficiency.

Technical Abstract: In the United States (US), rice production accounts for roughly 10 percent of global rice trade and contributes more than $6 billion annually to the national economy. Although rice is a critical staple crop for global food security, it has traditionally been cultivated under continuous flood irrigation. Farming practices that more effectively use water resources while maximizing yield can help buffer impacts of extreme weather events and accommodate increased consumer demand. Accurately quantifying the water and irrigation requirements of US rice systems is therefore essential for improving on farm water use efficiency and advancing agricultural sustainability. This study evaluates the water use implications of alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation compared with conventional continuous flooding by applying a modified version of the ORYZA crop model for US conditions. Using a broad range of weather datasets, we assess both short term and long term changes in simulated crop water demand, irrigation requirements, and water use efficiencies. Results showed that adoption of AWD can reduce water use while sustaining high yields, but the effectiveness of this practice varies across the production landscape. The analysis provides new insight into blue water use in US rice production and highlights the importance of utilizing data-driven methodologies to identify irrigation management strategies for maximizing productivity and resilience.