Hydrologic Modeling of a Canal-Irrigated Agricultural Watershed with Irrigation Best Management Practices: Case Study
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 16, Issue 9
Abstract
Simulating irrigation systems by accounting for various water loss rates is necessary while modeling the hydrology of cultivated canal-irrigated watersheds. The existing approaches to modeling canal irrigation use situation-specific optimization procedures. In addition, they are focused on a water management perspective rather than a hydrologic perspective. In this study, an approach is developed to model canal irrigation systems and irrigation best management practices (BMPs) to adequately simulate the water balance of irrigated watersheds. The approach is based on the water requirement of crops, number and frequency of irrigation, and critical crop water requirement stages. Two irrigation BMPs are modeled as water savers rather than physical changes in irrigation appurtenances. Land leveling is modeled by changing model parameters and water management by changes in frequency, timing, and magnitude of irrigation with respect to cumulative precipitation. The developed approach was tested with a intensively cultivated, canal-irrigated watershed using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Test results suggest that the approach captures water balance and observed runoff hydrograph of the study area adequately.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Andy Garza and Ronnie Ramirez of Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and Roger Miranda of the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality for their help in data collection for this study. The authors thank TSSWCB and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for funding this work.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 16 • Issue 9 • September 2011
Pages: 746 - 757
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 30, 2009
Accepted: Dec 28, 2010
Published online: Dec 30, 2010
Published in print: Sep 1, 2011
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