Irrigation System Modernization: Case Study of the Middle Rio Grande Valley
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 2
Abstract
The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) was officially founded in the 1920s, but it may well be the oldest operating irrigation system in North America. Currently the MRGCD serves about 22,300 ha of irrigated land and provides additional benefits to the Middle Rio Grande MRG Valley by providing proper soil drainage and protection against flooding. In recent years, the demand for water in the MRG Valley has increased drastically due to explosive population growth, expanding industry, and water allocated for environmental and ecological concerns, which include two federally listed endangered species—the silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) and the southwestern willow fly catcher (Empidonax traillii extimus). In response to the call for more efficient water use, the MRGCD embarked on a program of irrigation system modernization with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) incorporation. Over the past few years, the MRGCD has developed a SCADA system focused on improving water use efficiency throughout the MRG Valley. This paper examines the five components of the system and how each component was developed and incorporated in the overall SCADA system. The SCADA system and related improvements in operational practices have reduced MRGCD river diversions from a decade ago to an average of over the last .
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to thank Subhas Shah, the MRGCD Board of Directors, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Act Collaborative Program, the United States Army Corp of Engineers, and the United States Bureau of Reclamation for the assistance and the financial support to undertake this project. Also, the exceptional support of Jim Conley at CDI, Gerald Robinson and Lee Allen at Aqua Systems 2000, and Cathy Laughlin and Peter Clout of Vista Control Systems is graciously recognized.
References
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United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). (2003). “Federal Register 50 CFR Part 17. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; Designation of critical habitat for the Rio Grande silvery minnow.” Final Rule, Vol. 68, No. 33, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C.
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© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Feb 22, 2008
Accepted: Aug 20, 2008
Published online: Apr 1, 2009
Published in print: Apr 2009
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