Abstract
AbstractThe previous decades have shown an incredible progress in information and computer technology for among others the optimal planning and use of water and soil resources, especially after the introduction of geographic information systems (GIS), satellite remote sensing and global positioning systems. GIS is able to integrate spatial and non‐spatial geographical data for the management and planning of land and water resources. These recent developments provide new ways to collect, store and retrieve, evaluate and analyse a broad variety of data for a wide range of irrigation management aspects. They also may assist in specific planning and decision‐making processes in irrigation through the input, spatial analysis and output of relevant information. Furthermore, if GIS is employed together with other computer applications it becomes more powerful in various fields, for example in the design and construction of irrigation and drainage canals.This article describes a procedure to design an irrigation canal and to optimise this design in view of earthwork. The procedure uses specific data processing and functions in GIS to facilitate the canal layout based on physical conditions and economic considerations. Digital information on topography, soils and natural drainage is used to identify the most suitable location for the canal. Digital elevation models (DEMs) are applied to prepare the horizontal and vertical canal alignment. Additionally, a computer model in Visual Basic has been developed to obtain an optimal hydraulic design by an iterative process. Next, the results of both packages are linked in a spreadsheet to optimise the canal layout in view of minimal earthwork. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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