Irrigation Water Storage Research Articles

Evaluation of the Safe Yield of Groundwater Production Derived from Wind Energy

AbstractGroundwater aquifers are key sources of water in arid and semiarid regions. Fossil fuels are commonly used to power water-well pumps. The adverse effects of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use have led to the search for alternative clean energy sources to extract groundwater. A key factor in assessing the viability of wind energy use in groundwater extraction is the safe yield of groundwater production that can be derived by using windmills to power water wells. This paper presents and tests simulation and optimization models developed to estimate the safe yield of groundwater production derivable from the joint application of wind energy to water extraction and water storage for irrigation.

Characterisation of the Rota Wewa tank cascade system in the vicinity of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

A complex and sustainable watershed management strategy was implemented in Sri Lanka during the ancient Anuradhapura period, from the 5th century BC to the 11th century AD. Like modern watershed management strategies, it focused on flood prevention, soil erosion control, water quality control and water storage for irrigation. Tank cascade systems were the key element of these ancient watershed management installations. The wewas investigated were constructed in valleys characterised by fluvial accumulation. Sedimentological analyses of these tank cascade systems show that a precise age determination and the reconstruction of sediment and water f luxes as triggered by human-environment interactions are difficult. This is caused by the shallow character of the wewas leading to the steady redeposition of the tank sediments by wave motions during the wet season and agricultural use of the desiccated wewas during the dry season. Beyond, the sediments analysed allow to distinguish between the weathered parent bedrock and the overlying sediments. A differentiation between wewa deposits and the underlying fluvial deposits remains challenging.

Comparison of techniques for estimating evaporation from an irrigation water storage

Key Points Techniques for estimating evaporation were compared to measured values Penman‐Monteith model performed well with local site data and wind function Model predictions are sensitive to local variation in meteorological data

Long-term energy flux measurements over an irrigation water storage using scintillometry

An analysis is presented of the long-term energy balance of a small water body in south-east Queensland, Australia. The main focus of this study was on the use of scintillometry to determine the turbulent fluxes of sensible and latent heat. A novel approach is utilized for identifying periods where the scintillometry measurement footprint extends beyond the water surface. This approach relies on comparison of ‘inferred’ water surface temperature and measured skin temperature. The ‘inferred’ temperature is an independent assessment of water skin temperature derived through rearrangement of key equations in the scintillometry calculation scheme. An extensive dataset is used to investigate the processes controlling heat and vapour fluxes and to develop simple relationships that can be used for reliable predictions. These relationships are used to fill missing measurements in the dataset and to construct a complete energy balance for an 18 month period. The long-term data set is used to describe the diurnal, seasonal and annual variations in energy fluxes and to explore issues related to energy balance closure. Average energy balance closure across the study was 82%, however closure was much better during the winter than the summer. The key factors likely to lead to errors in energy balance closure are considered and it is concluded that the most likely causes are underestimation of latent heat fluxes, advection of energy that is not measured by the scintillometer, or overestimation of net radiation.

Study on agricultural benefits by increasing capacity of water ponds: a case study at Taoyuan paddy fields

In Taiwan, agricultural water is frequently reduced or suspended for reallocation of water resources during drought. To cope with such a situation, the irrigation district of the Shihmen Reservoir in the northern Taiwan fully utilizes the functions of water ponds to regulate water resources, so that industrial and domestic water demands can be met. Constructing new water ponds is indeed able to increase water storage for irrigation. However, when it is compared with the method of dredging or excavating the existing water ponds, constructing new water ponds is not easily accepted by the public because of environmental protection and land acquisition. Dredging water ponds is adopted to obtain a larger storage capacity, so that more flexibility may be acquired in water allocation during drought. Furthermore, it is more practical from engineering point of view. This study presents a formulation of the pond-dredging problem for an irrigation system. The formulation is implemented as optimization programs and applied to the area irrigated by the eighth lateral of the Taoyuan Irrigation Association. The irrigation area is a paddy field of 2,283.8 hectares and consists of 32 water ponds storage capacity of which is analyzed as dredging is conducted. Two models are presented; the first minimizes the water extracted from the Reservoir in a cropping season; while the second maximizes agricultural financial net benefits. Various allowable dredging ratios are used in the two models for different case studies. The first model shows that the water supplied by the Reservoir decreases as the ratio increases, and it reaches the minimum (2,520.3 × 104m3) when the ratio is 0.5. The second model displays that the maximum agricultural financial net benefit increases as the ratio increases and it reaches the highest value (NT$ 6,996 × 104) when the ratio is 0.5, a result similar to that of the first model. However, the dredging priorities of 32 water ponds for the two models are different because of the optimization objectives. The simulation results provide references to the performance improvement of water ponds. With such improvement, water ponds can possess an optimal capacity, and an optimal regional water allocation during drought can be achieved.

Water losses from a reservoir built in karst: the example of the Boljunčica reservoir (Istria, Croatia)

The paper presents the case of the Boljuncica reservoir, which began operation in 1973. It is situated on the Istria peninsula (Croatia). This is a multipurpose reservoir which was built in order to protect the downstream area from flood, to store water for irrigation, and to control sediment transport. The reservoir is situated on the contact zone between water impermeable Eocene flysch and deep Eocene and Cretaceous limestone. The bottom of the reservoir is covered partly by both flysch and quaternary deposits. Water losses from the reservoir bottom are so large that the main service intended for the reservoir, the storage of water for irrigation, is impossible. After every intensive precipitation, which occurs often in this region, the reservoir fills very quickly. The problem is that its retention of water is very short, and lasts only a few days. The water volume of the reservoir at the spillway altitude of 93.00 m a. s. l. is about 6.5 × 106 m3. Because of water losses from the reservoir bottom, the mean annual volume of water stored in it, during the period of 1977–2005 was only 0.5 × 106 m3, which is less than 8% of the full reservoir volume. On the reservoir bottom, many new swallow holes opened through the sediment cover after each time it filled and emptied with water. Special attention is paid to the groundwater level analyses. Interdisciplinary analyses and investigations of hydrological and hydrogeological factors causing the formation of swallow holes and water losses from the Boljuncica reservoir are discussed. The example given in this paper explains one unsuccessful case of building a reservoir in Dinaric karst, caused mainly due to insufficient geological, hydrogeological and hydrological investigations. In order to prevent water losses from the Boljuncica reservoir, very complex and expensive work needs to be done, but its success regarding the reasonable reduction of water losses from the reservoir is in question.

Engineering geological appraisal of the Sulakyurt dam site, Turkey

This paper discusses the engineering geological investigations, diversion tunnel support design and slope stability assessment studies carried out at the Sulakyurt dam site, northeast of Ankara, Turkey. The Sulakyurt dam will be used for flood flow control and water storage for irrigation. Engineering geological mapping, discontinuity surveys, core drilling, water absorption and laboratory tests were undertaken. The RMR, Q and GSI approaches were used to estimate the rock mass quality, site characteristics, rock mass parameters and appropriate tunnel support elements. The results of kinematic and limit equilibrium analyses for the slopes on the right and left banks are reported.

OPTIMALIZATION OF OXYGEN LEVELS IN ROOT SYSTEMS AS EFFECTIVE CULTIVATION TOOL

OPTIMALIZATION OF OXYGEN LEVELS IN ROOT SYSTEMS AS EFFECTIVE CULTIVATION TOOL

Aquaculture–agriculture systems integration: an Australian prospective

The concept of integrating aquaculture with irrigated farming systems was evaluated in three projects in the Goulburn–Murray Irrigation District (GMID) in south‐eastern Australia. (1) Semi‐intensive cage culture trials using silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell), were undertaken in a range of irrigated farming systems: irrigation supply channels; groundwater supplies; and on‐farm storage dams. Survival and growth of fish under these conditions were comparable to fish reared in conventional aquaculture ponds. However, poor water quality at some sites reduced survival and growth. (2) A study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of the cage culture of silver perch and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in three irrigation water storage reservoirs. Conditions within each reservoir, particularly water quality, wind and wave action, and cage fouling, varied considerably, and influenced fish growth and survival. (3) Mariculture trials were undertaken in two saline groundwater evaporation basins, which were part of an integrated agriforestry and salt reclamation system. The species tested included two oyster, two prawn and nine fish species. Some species exhibited exceptional survival and growth rates under trial conditions. These projects indicate that the concept of integrating aquaculture with existing irrigated farming systems has the potential to enhance productivity, water use efficiency and overall environmental sustainability in the GMID.

Historical water storage for irrigation in the Fayum depression (Egypt)

Investigations into the much-discussed question of a historical manmade water storage lake within the Fayum depression were carried out in spring 1988. The results of the research into the dam between Itsa and Shidmuh indicate that there existed an artificial lake in the south-east of the Fayum as early as the 3rd Cent. B.C. The findings are in agreement with the reports of the classical writers. There is no reason not to identify this lake in the El-Mala'a basin with the lake the ancient (post-Ptolemaic) historians and geographers referred to as Lake Moeris. The question as to whether Herodotus in the 5th Cent. B.C. described the same lake or whether he saw the water level of the Birket el-Qarun at 19 to 21 m must, at present, remain unanswered.

The Impact of Dry Years on Crop Water Requirements in Eastern England

AbstractAgricultural water demand is weather and climate driven. Irrigated crop production which makes the largest agricultural demands is highly seasonal, water only being required in a few summer months. A ‘droughtiness’factor which is based on crop type and potential soil moisture deficit indicates large differences in the amount and timing of water demand for different crops. Soils with low water retention capacity are shown to be marginal for the potato crop unless irrigation is available in these areas. Economic data are presented which indicate that potato production realizes a considerable benefit from investment in irrigation, but this leads to inertia in the relocation of agricultural production centres in dry years. It is concluded that investment in on‐farm winter water storage for irrigation should be a priority investment in eastern England.

Irrigation Water Storage Cost Reduced by Stream Level Control

Irrigation water costs are becoming of greater concern as groundwater supplies decrease and irrigation demands increase. This paper compares water storage costs for a stream water level control system (SWLC), which provides underground storage, with storage costs for impoundments and excavated ponds. A Fabridam, an automatic, water-inflatable dam was used to control the stream water level for a distance of more than 3 000 m (9800 ft) upstream. Underground storage volume was calculated from data collected during the driest year (1983) of a four-year study. A least-squares regression line through measured water volume values was determined and extrapolated to the lowest expected stream elevation. From this relationship, it was estimated that a water volume of 900 000 m3 (730 acre-ft) could be pumped frm the creek for irrigation with the Fabridam in place. This storage volume was used to determine the size, number and cost of impoundments and excavated ponds required to provide equivalent storage. Annual costs of irrigation water storages are $0,039, $0,051, and $0,121 per m3 ($48, $63 and $149/acre-ft), respectively, for SWLC, impoundments and excavated ponds. The lower-cost SWLC method could be used on an estimated 5 million hectares (12.4 million ac) of land in the southeastern Coastal Plain.

Some notes on water supply in South India

Abstract This Article investigates the assertion by many Indian agronomists that methods of water management advocated by various Research Institutes are not being applied in the field. The sample village studies on the coastal plain around Madras and in the Cumbum Valley to the West of Madurai were carried out in 1969. Particular reference is also made to the Coimbatore Agricultural Research Centre in Tamilnad and the value of informed leadership in the villages of South India. “Although India can boast of her gigantic feats in the storage of water for irrigation and the distribution thereof in well planned channel systems, her performance in the actual application within the field continues to be outdated”. — (A. P. Bhattacharya1).

Predicting Nitrogen Availability to Rice: II. Assessing Available Nitrogen in Silt Loams With Different Previous Year Crop History

Soil test methods that measure NH44-N in silt loams before and after incubation under waterlogged conditions were evaluated as predictors of N availability to ‘Nato’ rice (Oriza sativa L.) grown in the greenhouse. Eighteen soils for each of five previous year crop histories were utilized. All so ls were from crop rotations containing rice. Coefficients of determination (r2) for the regression of N uptake by rice on NH4+-N after 6 days incubation of soil from the different crop histories increased in the order of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) < rice < lespedeza (Lespedeza striata Thumb.) < soybean (Glycine max L.) < reservoir (irrigation water storage or fish production), and ranged from .12 to .77. Exchangeable Ca was inversely related to N uptake and accounted for significant percentages of variation in uptake on all soils except those from reservoirs. Exchangeable Ca was not related to NH4+-N production during incubation. For all previous year crop histories NH4 -N in soil after 6 days incubation was a better single predictor of N uptake by rice than soil organic matter values. Initial NH4+-N content of reservoir soils was about 5 times greater than in soils of other crop histories. The amount in these silt loam soils from reservoirs (55 kg N/ha) was about half that found in previous studies for reservoir soils of clay texture. Multiple regression analyses indicated that including initial NH4+-N together with NH4+-N production during incubation improved the prediction of N uptake over NH4 -N production values alone. Including exchangeable Ca together with initial NH4+-N and NH4+-N production values improved the prediction on all soils except those from reservoirs.

Reproduction, Size, and Mortality in the Rocky Mountain Muskrat

Although the muskrat has received considerable investigative attention throughout the United States and Canada in recent years, few studies have dealt with the Rocky Mountain muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus osoyoosensis (Lord), the endemic subspecies of the Rocky Mountain and Puget Sound regions. Two independent but similar studies at Gray's Lake and Dingle Swamp in southeastern Idaho afforded opportunity to obtain data on reproduction, sex and age ratios, subadult mortality, and size of the Rocky Mountain muskrat. A comparison of aging validity by external examination of reproductive organs (Baumgartner and Bellrose, 1943) and pelt primeness pattern (Applegate and Predmore, 1947; Shanks, 1948) with the internal examination of reproductive organs (Errington, 1939) was also undertaken on each area. Field work at Gray's Lake was conducted by Williams from June, 1949, to May, 1950, while a graduate student at the University of Idaho and at Dingle Swamp by Reeves from April, 1952, to December, 1953, while employed by the Idaho Fish and Game Department as leader of Pittman-Robertson Project W 106-R. The study areas .—Gray's Lake and Dingle Swamp remain two of Idaho's major muskrat producing marshes despite adverse environmental conditions created by irrigation water storage developments. Harvests of up to 50,000 pelts annually were formerly reported from each area, but recent harvests have seldom exceeded 10,000. Gray's Lake, a 22,000 acre marsh, is located in a shallow, ancient lake basin at an altitude of 6,386 feet in Bonneville and Caribou Counties. Emergent aquatic vegetation covers an almost solid expanse of 19,800 acres and is chiefly hardstem bulrush ( Scirpus acutus ) with a minor interspersion of common cattail ( Typha latifolia ). Except for small scattered potholes and channels, the open water area is concentrated in the southeastern corner of the marsh. Prior to 1924, excess runoff flowed from the marsh through a natural outlet. However, …

Electric Generators at Boulder Dam

DURING 1938, Engineering published a series of articles dealing with the remarkable work being carried out at Boulder Dam, Arizona. This project has a three-fold purpose-flood control, storage of water for irrigation and domestic and industrial use, and the generation of electric power. There are two power-houses, the Nevada wing and the Arizona wing, and the series of articles referred to is brought to a close by a description of the electrical equipment being installed in these. The two articles on this subject are by Mr. L. N. McClellan, and were published in Engineering for February 10 and 24. There will ultimately be eight large units of 82,500 k.v.a. in the Nevada wing and seven similar units and two units of 40,000 k.v.a. in the Arizona wing; the hydraulic turbines driving the larger units being of 115,000 h.p. Each of the 82,500 k.v.a. generators is 40 ft. in diameter, 32 ft. in height above ground-level and weighs approximately 900 long tons. The stator frames are constructed entirely of steel plates and structural shapes electrically welded together. The rotors are 25 ft. in diameter, 8 ft. deep at the rim, and are carried in shafts 38 in. in diameter and 36 ft. long. Each weighs approximately 580 tons. One group of machines will furnish power for the pumping plants on the Colorado River, supplying the Metropolitan Water District, a second group will supply the cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena, a third the Southern California Edison Company, and a fourth will supply power to the States of Arizona and Nevada. With the service station generators the ultimate capacity of the plant will be 1,323,500 k.v.a.

Aelius Gallus and the Reorganization of the Irrigation System of Egypt under Augustus

Previous articleNext article FreeAelius Gallus and the Reorganization of the Irrigation System of Egypt under AugustusW. L. WestermannW. L. Westermann Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Classical Philology Volume 12, Number 3Jul., 1917 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/360098 Views: 103Total views on this site Citations: 2Citations are reported from Crossref PDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:G�nther Garbrecht Historical water storage for irrigation in the Fayum depression (Egypt), Irrigation and Drainage Systems 10, no.11 (Feb 1996): 47–76.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01102764 W. L. Westermann The Development of the Irrigation System of Egypt, Classical Philology 14, no.22 (Sep 2015): 158–164.https://doi.org/10.1086/360222