Evaluation of hydraulic performance on Lower Areb small-scale irrigation scheme Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted in the Lower Areb small-scale irrigation scheme for one crop season from March to May 2018 to evaluate the hydraulic performance of the scheme by estimating the hydraulic performance indicators, physical performance indicators, and maintenance performance indicators. The primary data, including water flow rate, soil physical properties, and water infiltration, were collected. The secondary data collected were climatic, crop data, and data from different reports and design documents including the irrigation water users' interviews. The hydraulic performance of the irrigation scheme was evaluated by estimating adequacy, efficiency, dependability, and equity indicators at nine selected offtakes; three each at the head, middle, and tail reaches of the scheme. The physical performance and maintenance indicators were determined using the irrigation ratio, the sustainability of the irrigated area, the effectiveness of infrastructure, and the water surface elevation ratio. The data were analyzed using CROPWAT 8.0, ARC GIS 10.1 software, and Microsoft Excel 2013. The overall average values of adequacy, efficiency, dependability, and equity were found to be 0.89, 0.91, 0.096, and 0.07, respectively. Therefore, dependability, equity, and efficiency were under good condition and adequacy was under fair condition. The irrigation ratio and sustainability of irrigated areas were 54% and 123%, respectively. The effectiveness of infrastructure and water surface elevation ratios were 73.33% and 94%, respectively.