Main Irrigation Canals Research Articles

Robust system identification of an irrigation main canal

In this paper, a mathematical model of irrigation main canals is derived from on-line system identification experiments. This model is obtained experimentally by using a robust system identification procedure. The entire process followed to obtain this model is described in this paper: from the design of the experiments to the model validation. The model takes into account prior physical information. A recursive least-squares parameters estimation algorithm with normalization for robust system identification of main irrigation canals is developed. The validation results show the robustness of the parameters estimation algorithm and justify its use in robust model-based control system design. The results also show accurate water levels prediction in open irrigation main canals with time-varying parameters. The reported results show that robust system identification has an important role to play in management and efficient use of water resources.

Fractional robust control of main irrigation canals with variable dynamic parameters

A new method is proposed for controlling main irrigation canals with variable dynamical parameters based on robust fractional order controllers. A methodology for designing PID controllers robust to changes in the time delay and the gain is presented first. Then this method is generalized to design fractional controllers that exhibit the same robustness as the previous PID to time delay and gain changes, but are noticeably more robust to variations in the dominant time constant of the process. This method is applied to control main irrigation canals. Extensive numerical simulations using the dynamic model of a real canal were carried out. Then experimental results were obtained in a prototype canal that proved the effectiveness of the proposed control method in terms of performance and robustness.

FRACTIONAL PI CONTROL OF AN IRRIGATION MAIN CANAL

This paper proposes a new advanced strategy to control open main irrigation canals. A methodology is developed to design fractional PI controllers for irrigation main canals, which show enhanced robustness properties over the standard PI controllers. This methodology is applied to solve the problem of effective control of water distribution in the first pool of Aragon's Imperial Irrigation Main Canal belonging to the Ebro Hydrographical Confederation (Spain). The experimental results show the effectiveness of the developed methodology.

SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION OF ARAGON'S IMPERIAL IRRIGATION MAIN CANAL

In this paper a mathematical model of the water level variation in the first pool of the Aragon's Imperial irrigation main canal belonging to the Ebro Hydrographical Confederation (Spain) is derived from system identification experiments. The complete identification procedure from experiment design to model validation taking into account prior physical information is presented. It is shown that a linear second order model with an ARMAX structure and a time delay describes adequately the main dynamical behavior of this canal pool. The obtained model will be used for prediction and control purposes.

Automation of the East Bench irrigation main canal

Canal automation equipment in the East Bench Irrigation District in Dillon, Montana, was over 30 years old and needed to be replaced. Portions of the old automation system were salvaged in an attempt to reduce rehabilitation costs. Because wiring diagrams were not available for the old control system, time would have been saved if the old control system were completely removed and replaced with a completely new system. Data communication via radio and bubbler water level sensors proved to be troublesome. After three seasons of operation, problems with the new automation system were corrected, but it became evident that a technician was needed to maintain the system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

THE HYDRAULIC AND HYDROCHEMICAL IMPACTS OF THE NILE SYSTEM ON THE GROUNDWATER IN UPPER EGYPT التأثيرات الهيدروليکية والهيدروکيميائية لنظام النيل على المياه الجوفية بمصر العليا

The Nile system in Upper Egypt includes the River Nile, the irrigation canals and drains nets. The Quaternary groundwater aquifer represents the main aquifer in the area. It is essentially recharged locally from the Nile system water. During the last four decades the water levels in the river were nearly controlled. However, the water levels in the main irrigation canals are periodically fluctuated and are more higher than the water levels in the Nile River at the same latitudes. They are fluctuating continuously but with different amplitudes and manners. In the present study a trial has been made to detect the hydraulic and hydrochemical impacts of the Nile system on the groundwater in some selected localities in Upper Egypt. The study depends mainly on the analysis of the available measured and collected data concerning the surface and groundwater levels and composition in the area. It was concluded that the fluctuations in the groundwater levels are strongly related with the surface water fluctuations in the main irrigation canals, while the chemical impact of the surface water on the groundwater is limited.

Crop and irrigation management strategies for saline-sodic soils and waters aimed at environmentally sustainable agriculture

Irrigation has long played a key role in feeding the expanding world population and is expected to play a still greater role in the future. As supplies of good-quality irrigation water are expected to decrease in several regions due to increased municipal–industrial–agricultural competition, available freshwater supplies need to be used more efficiently. In addition, reliance on the use and reuse of saline and/or sodic drainage waters, generated by irrigated agriculture, seems inevitable for irrigation. The same applies to salt-affected soils, which occupy more than 20% of the irrigated lands, and warrant attention for efficient, inexpensive and environmentally acceptable management. Technologically and from a management perspective, a couple of strategies have shown the potential to improve crop production under irrigated agriculture while minimizing the adverse environmental impacts. The first strategy, vegetative bioremediation—a plant-assisted reclamation approach—relies on growing appropriate plant species that can tolerate ambient soil salinity and sodicity levels during reclamation of salt-affected soils. A variety of plant species of agricultural significance have been found to be effective in sustainable reclamation of calcareous and moderately sodic and saline-sodic soils. The second strategy fosters dedicating soils to crop production systems where saline and/or sodic waters predominate and their disposal options are limited. Production systems based on salt-tolerant plant species using drainage waters may be sustainable with the potential of transforming such waters from an environmental burden into an economic asset. Such a strategy would encourage the disposal of drainage waters within the irrigated regions where they are generated rather than exporting these waters to other regions via discharge into main irrigation canals, local streams, or rivers. Being economically and environmentally sustainable, these strategies could be the key to future agricultural and economic growth and social wealth in regions where salt-affected soils exist and/or where saline-sodic drainage waters are generated.

The barasingha, or swamp deer, in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, Nepal

Between 1988 and 1993 six periods of field study were undertaken to investigate the environmental impact of the construction of a main irrigation canal and other works in the proposed extension of Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and to recommend protective measures. Suklaphanta is administered by His Majesty's Government of Nepal through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Special emphasis was placed upon the barasingha Cervus duvauceli population because it is the largest remaining group of this endangered deer species in the world. This paper presents recommendations for the management of the barasingha and its habitat.

Alluvial Canals Adequacy

Canal adequacy, identified with discharge accuracy and the ability to convey that discharge, is investigated. Calibration techniques for canal design criteria are proposed using field data. The data are from two stable main irrigation canals in Sudan and Egypt. One is silting and the other is eroding. The techniques for discharge calibration of hydraulic structures suggested in this paper and the development of rating curves from currently available data is not new in hydraulic literature. They do, nevertheless, suggest a break from the type of rating curves presently in vogue. Attempts to modify the stream‐power design criteria of stable alluvial channels are outlined. To design a new stable canal section, nested iterations can be used to solve for the width and depth. Discharge, side slopes z, and D84 are used as input parameters. For canal stability, the sediment transport rate used here is treated as a dependent variable. The procedure can be interpreted for canals with similar conditions.

Barrier Net to Reduce Entrainment Losses of Adult Kokanee from Banks Lake, Washington

Abstract A barrier net 1,341 m long was developed to reduce the entrainment of mature kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) into the main irrigation canal intake of Banks Lake in Washington. The dacron net was constructed of 83-mm mesh (stretch measure) and relied on the visual avoidance response exhibited by salmonids. The net was hauled by machine and cleaning was done with high-pressure water jets. The screening efficiency of the barrier was evaluated by numerous methods including sampling the fishes entrained in the irrigation canal with large nets, mark and recapture of adult kokanee in the reservoir, estimates of the number of beach spawners, sonic tracking near the barrier, census of the sport fishery, and mortality of kokanee gilled in the barrier. The annual canal entrainment of kokanee declined from an average of 64% before installation of the net to 10% afterwards, based on 4 years of catch data. An estimated 35,391 adult kokanee, based on mark-and-recapture estimates, were retained in the lake during t...

Towada and Misawa Cities destructed by the Tokachi-oki Earthquake

The destruction by the Tokachi-oki Earthquake in Towada City on the Sambongi-hara fan, eastern Aomori Prefecture, was concentrated at the northeastern quarter of the built up area. Here, the main irrigation canal on the fan had acted as a supply origin of ground water, because of the lack of water-proof lining 800m long.The heavy rain of 3 days before the earthquake added the supply of ground water, and the building grounds were soaked and getting fragile against any shake.The fact that the distribution of severe damage coincides with the flow direction of ground water tells us the influence of ground water in bringing the earthquake damages.The destruction in Misawa City to the east of Towada City was concentrated at the reclaimed land of Furumagi area, where houses were crowded on the soft reclaimed ground.

The Hoover (Boulder) Dam

THE completion, just announced, of the great concrete structure originally known as the Boulder Dam, but afterwards officially designated the Hoover Dam, across the Colorado River in Black Canyon, which forms the boundary between the States of Arizona and Nevada, at a point about twenty-five miles south-east of Las Vegas, Nevada, marks the attainment of an advanced stage hi the execution of the notable Boulder Canyon Project, the Act for which was approved by the United States President in December 1928. The project in its entirety comprises not only the construction of a dam and the formation of an artificial lake, respectively the highest and the most capacious of their kind in the world, but also other incidental works involving an expenditure estimated at the time at 165 million dollars. The probable outlay is now given as 385 million dollars. The dam has a maximum height of about 730 ft., an extreme length of 1,180 ft., a crest width of 45 ft. and a bottom thickness of 650 ft. It contains about 4J million cubic yards of concrete, and will be the retaining wall of a reservoir having a length of 115 miles and a total cubic capacity of 30,500,000 acre-feet. It is designed to impound the flood water of the Colorado River for use in irrigation, and will serve to regulate the flow of that stream so as to improve its navigability, and protect the adjacent valleys from overflow, water shortage and silt accumulation. Irrigation and protection from inundation of valuable farm lands in Southern California are the primary and essential objects of the undertaking, but hydraulic turbines of exceptional calibre are also being installed to enable electric power to be generated, the revenues from which will fully recoup the outlay on the entire scheme, which, including a main irrigation canal, 80 miles in length, with an extension 130 miles long to adjacent valleys, is among the most remarkable instances of engineering enterprise in modern times.