Decision Support System for the Real‐Time Operation and Management of an Agricultural Water Supply

Abstract

AbstractAgricultural uses are responsible for approximately 48% of the total annual water use in South Korea. While approximately 70% of the annual rainfall is received during the summer season, most of the agricultural water is utilized from May to June. Therefore, irrigation facilities including reservoirs, canals and pumps were installed to efficiently manage agricultural water. Efficient operation of irrigation systems is important for sustainable irrigated agriculture, which is undermined due to the low water efficiency of the irrigation systems. Irrigation water management using web‐based decision support systems is necessary to resolve water efficiency problems. In this study, automatic water gauges were installed at the main and secondary irrigation canals in the Dongjin River Basin, South Korea. The water levels in each canal were monitored and the irrigation water supply calculated. An irrigation model considering intermittent irrigation was developed to compare the estimated irrigation demands with the actual supplies for decision‐making and demand strategies. Using this model and water‐level data, a risk‐based decision support system for the operation and management of agricultural water was developed and evaluated. Using this system. it is possible to optimally manage irrigation water and to make plans for efficient agricultural water operation and management. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.