San Dimas Lysimeter Facility

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Installed in 1937 to study water use and hydrology in native plants and soils. They were not used from 1937 to 1940 to settle the soil. During 1940 to 1946 most were planted to grass, and in 1946 to shrubs and trees. 5 types of lysimeters were used during peak
research years. 26 large (64 tons , 58 tonnes) for runoff and seepage under plantings of various shrubs and trees. 30 medium (1800 lb, 818 kg), and 72 small (300 lb , 136 kg) to grow small groups of plants or individual plants and measure transpiration and evapotranspiration. 5 unconfined allowed plant roots to expand beyond the confines of concrete walls. 5 root study lysimeters allowed examination of soil and plant roots by removal of one end wall. The lysimeters were used only for water use until 1960 when the complex was damaged during the Johnstone Fire, then the types of research allowed broadened.
www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/4403/TheSanDimas.pdf