Allocation and Water Delivery Scheduling Optimization in Irrigation Networks

This paper shows an optimal water allocation and delivery model at two levels of irrigation networks, namely farm level and canal level, for maximizing of the net benefit. For this purpose, three sub models were developed to optimization of water allocation among different crops, water distribution during each crop growth stage, and water delivery scheduling between canal outlets. The model was performed on the K canal of Moghan irrigation network. With purpose of maximizing the net benefit, optimal water allocated among different crops, distribution of water during each crop growth stages, and water delivery factors at canal level were determined based on optimization procedures. Three water content scenarios were considered in the procedure: normal condition, 25 and 50 percent water deficit conditions. The results showed that the net return was reduced at 25 and 50 percent water deficit scenario, but the water productivity was increased 24% and 40% respectively for the other scenarios. The inflow to the distributary canal was 640 l/s, 590 l/s and 360 l/s in the scenarios, respectively. This indicates that the discharge of canal can be decreased in the deficit scenarios up to 8% and 44% less than normal scenario. Therefore it can reduce canal evaporation and seepage loses.