Analysis and Classification of Arranged Delivery Methods in Irrigation Networks

Selection of appropriate water delivery method is one of the most important parameters in irrigation networks that plays an effective role in determining flexibility and improving water productivity. Depending on the management of delivery parameters, water delivery systems can be classified into three main types of, Rotational, on-request (arranged), and on-demand methods. Among main delivery systems, on request system is proposed to increase flexibility. This method, while doesn’t need high cost automatic systems, could be applied on existing irrigation networks with minor changes, and manual operation. Depending on the range of delivery parameters variation, limitation on requests, and method of reaching an agreement between managers and farmers, several on request methods could be defined. Each one of the defined methods has direct impact on management of the network, which requires their appropriate classification in order to facilitate operation planning. So far no basis for classification of on request method is introduced. In this research, data are collected from previous researchers and field investigation from some national and international networks, which are operated using on-request delivery methods. Analyzing the collected data, the basis for classification of on request delivery systems is developed. The on-request delivery method of the studied network are classified. Regarding variation range of delivery parameters, and method of reaching agreement, on request method is classified in to 3 categories with maximum, medium, and minimum flexibility.