Integrated Stepwise Approach for Optimal Water Allocation in Irrigation Canals

Abstract

Optimal water management in irrigation networks should be an integrated approach which includes both canal and field systems. Integrated optimal water management of irrigation networks requires consideration of both optimal allocation of water among different crops at field level, and optimal water delivery scheduling at the canal level, which is often neglected. In this study, an integrated stepwise approach has been presented for considering both farm‐ and canal‐level optimization problems. Three modules are proposed for the optimization model. In the first module, crop–water production functions for different crops are produced, and optimal seasonal allocation of available water among several crops is determined using an LP algorithm. The objective function of this module is to maximize total net benefit of all crops. The second module takes the optimal allocated water to each crop from the first module, and determines its optimal distribution through the growing season for each crop, such that the total yield at the end of the season is maximized. Taking into account the output of the second module, and cultivated area of each crop, the water requirement volume for each secondary canal is computed. The third module determines optimal water delivery scheduling among outlets of the secondary canal using a genetic algorithm (GA). The objective of the third module is to minimize canal flow, and to maximize delivery adequacy and beneficial water delivery duration. The decision variables are delivery discharge to each outlet, the number of outlets grouped in a block which receive water sequentially, and the sequence of water delivery to the outlets in each block. The proposed approach was applied on the K canal of the Moghan Irrigation Network in the north‐west of Iran. The optimal water delivery scheduling of a secondary canal, based on the optimal water allocation among several crops, and intra‐seasonal irrigation scheduling are presented, which shows the utility of the integrated approach. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Optimization of Canal Water in an Irrigation Network Based on a Genetic Algorithm: A Case Study of the North China Plain Canal System

“…GAs have been applied in various water distribution forecasting and optimization fields with high efficiency and robustness (Yao et al, 2011;Kurek and Ostfeld, 2013;Kanooni and Monem, 2014;Hu et al, 2017). Canal water distribution is vital for fulfilling water requirements and achieving food security.…”

“…As a vital aspect of water supply systems, water distribution networks represent one of the largest infrastructure assets of industrial society. Optimal water management in irrigation districts assumes a comprehensive knowledge of the frequency and duration with which irrigation water must be applied (Monem and Namdarian, ; Singh, ; Homayounfar et al, ; Kanooni and Monem, ). Water is essential in arid and semi‐arid areas and limited capital must be used in such a manner as to provide maximum benefits.…”

A Multi-Objective Hierarchical Model for Irrigation Scheduling in the Complex Canal System

“…Irrigation, as a measure to improve crop production, is one of the main ways of agricultural water consumption, especially in semi-arid and arid areas [8]. There are several methods for irrigation, in which the canal irrigation is a traditional one that is widely used around the world [3,[9][10][11]]. The canal system usually consists of main canal, branch canal and lateral canal in hierarchy.…”

“…Although there is an increasing trend in using multi-objective model to optimize canal scheduling [10,24], many following limitations still exist. (i) The distribution of canal system is hierarchical for real cases and the requirements of decision makers may vary with each other.…”

Decision Support System for the Real‐Time Operation and Management of an Agricultural Water Supply

“…It can save water and increase irrigation efficiencies, and it can also help in the development of a scientific irrigation scheduling plan for different seasons and for over a large cropped area. These methods can save water and contribute positively to the improvement of agricultural productivity and food security (Molden and Gates, 1990;Mishra et al, 2001;Goncalves et al, 2007;Reinders et al, 2013;Kanooni and Monem, 2014).…”