Application of EPA-SWMM with Modulated Controls for Agricultural Water Balance Analysis

Abstract

Due to the recent spring drought, it has been difficult to supply agricultural water owing to an insufficient water supply before irrigation, thereby illuminating the importance of efficient water management for allocating optimal agricultural water amounts. Thus, improved management plans for irrigation facilities are required as well as an optimal water management plan for agricultural water supplies and equitable distribution. In this study, we applied modulated controls to the EPA-SWMM and analyzed the agricultural water supply and demand. The EPA-SWMM simulates the hydrological water supply and can be applied to a water supply network. Modulated controls can simulate continuous, intermittent, and rotational irrigation methods by setting the supply time series, and adjusting the water supply and drainage based on ponding depth conditions in the paddy field. We applied the EPA-SWMM with modulated controls to Gosam reservoir in Anseong to analyze the agricultural water supply and irrigation efficiency. The water supply via canals and irrigated areas was analyzed to identify areas of water shortages or oversupply. According to the results of a quantitative water supply analysis, we determined that it is necessary to control the water supply using gate opening rate controls. The results obtained herein can contribute to efficient water management by evaluating the efficiency of irrigation organizations during a drought when insufficient agricultural water is available via preliminary analysis of agricultural water supply methods.