Integration of Automatic Upstream and Downstream Control Systems with Nonlinear Channel Models: Implementation, Running, and Comparison

ICSS model has been used in various researches in irrigation canals. Due to the new capabilities of recent versions of the HEC-RAS model and its advanced strategies, this model has also been considered. The combination of upstream and downstream control systems of classical controller with nonlinear channel simulation models (HEC-RAS and ICSS), the way of implement, and the results comparison are the main objectives of this research. The utilization of the rules strategy in HEC-RAS and comparison of the model is the novelty of this research. For this purpose, a controller has been developed for each regulating structure and an operational program has been developed for each turnout in advanced boundary conditions in the Eastern Dez Canal. The results showed that the HEC-RAS model performed very well and showed a lower error value in the upstream control system than the downstream control, and the maximum MAE and IAE were equal to 5.3% and 1.8%, respectively. Also, the water flow is stable most of the time and there are no fluctuations in the water depth. In the ICSS model, almost similar results were observed, so that the upstream control performs better than the downstream control, but there are more depth changes and instability, and the maximum MAE and IAE were obtained as 9.9% and 0.3%, respectively. In terms of discharge delivery indicators, HEC-RAS outperformed ICSS.