Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

Net radiation $\left(R_n\right)$ =key variable in hydrological studies. Measured net radiation data are rarely available and are often subject to error due to equipment calibration or failure. In addition, point measurements of net radiation do not represent the diversity of the regional net radiation values which are needed for large scale evapotranspiration mapping. A procedure has been developed to estimate daily net radiation using canopy temperature, albedo, short wave radiation and air temperature. This procedure makes it possible to estimate $R_n$ by combining information from satellite and local weather stations. Three different methodologies are presented to estimate net radiation. Comparisons between net radiation using the three methods resulted in average error ranging from 1 to 30% and standard error of estimate ranging from $1.06\text{to}5.34\mathrm{MJ}∕{\mathrm{m}}^2∕\text{day}$ .

Although Clément methodology is the most commonly used model for obtaining the design flow rate in on-demand irrigation networks, studies have shown that the Clément methodology does not always fit properly. A new stochastic methodology is proposed in this paper [random daily demand curve (RDDC)], in order to achieve a more accurate design flow. Results from Clément and the proposed RDDC methodology are compared to measured flow data in an on-demand irrigation network located in Tarazona de La Mancha (Albacete, Spain). RDDC is shown to have a better fit with the measured data compared to the Clément methodology, which underestimated the design flow by 35%–40%. RDDC methodology avoids the problem of using average opening hydrant probability, resulting in a better estimation of the network behavior.

This study addresses infiltration from furrows or narrow channels. The basic approach is to develop the two-dimensional infiltration as a combination of the corresponding one-dimensional vertical and an edge effect. The idea is borrowed from previous applications for infiltration from disc and strip sources. The assumption is tested directly with numerical experiments using four representative soils and three furrow shapes (triangular, rectangular, and parabolic). The edge effect is the difference between the cumulative infiltration per unit of adjusted wetting perimeter and the corresponding one-dimensional infiltration. A general conclusion is that the edge effect is linearly related to time. In addition, it was observed that the two empirical parameters in the function used to relate the edge effect with time have narrow ranges and are related to soil hydraulic parameters, furrow shape, the boundary and initial conditions and additional geometric factors. The approach leads to a physically based infiltration function for irrigation furrows (or narrow channels) without the need to perform a fully two-dimensional simulation. Also, a simplified expression was found for the limiting steady-state case, which is analogous to Wooding’s equation for infiltration from a shallow pond.

Time of concentration $\left(T_c\right)$ is the time required for runoff to travel from the hydraulically most distant point to the outlet of a watershed. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) velocity method commonly is used to estimate $T_c$ for hydrologic analysis and design. The NRCS velocity method applies the physical concept that travel time is a function of runoff flow length and flow velocity. Time of concentration for 96 Texas watersheds is independently estimated by three research teams using the NRCS velocity method. Drainage areas of the 96 watersheds considered in the study are approximately $0.8–440.3{\mathrm{km}}^2$ $(0.3–170{\mathrm{mi}}^2)$ . Digital elevation models having a grid size of $30\mathrm{m}$ were used to derive watershed physical characteristics using ArcGIS or HEC-GeoHMS. Average channel width was estimated from $1\mathrm{m}$ or $1\mathrm{ft}$ digital orthoimagery quarter quadrangle or aerial photography. Each team made independent decisions to estimate parameters needed for different flow segments for the NRCS velocity method. Estimates of time of concentration made by three research teams are compared, and both graphic comparison and statistical summary demonstrate that time of concentration estimated using the NRCS velocity method is subject to large variation, dependent on the analyst-derived parameters used to estimate flow velocity. Because of the propensity for different analysts to arrive at different results, caution is required in application of the NRCS velocity method to estimate $T_c$ .

A cost effective channel section for a specified flow rate, roughness coefficients, longitudinal slope, and various cost parameters can be determined using an optimization technique. However, the derived optimal channel section may not be feasible for construction because of in situ conditions. The local soil conditions may not support the optimal side slope of the channel and if constructed, the slope may fail. It is therefore necessary to also incorporate the criteria for side slope stability in designing an optimal open channel section. In this paper, a new methodology has been developed to design a stable and optimal channel section using hybrid optimization techniques. A genetic algorithm based optimization model is developed initially to determine the factor of safety of a channel slope for given soil parameters. This optimization model is then externally linked with a separate sequential quadratic programming based optimization model to evaluate the parameters of the stable and optimal channel section. Solution for various example problems incorporating different soil parameters are illustrated to demonstrate the applicability of the developed methodology.

An analytical solution is presented to the problem of steady groundwater flow seeping into a pumped cylindrical hole partially penetrating a homogeneous and anisotropic confined aquifer overlying a gravel substratum. Solutions are obtained for two general cases of the problem: (1) when the level of the pumped hole is below the confining layer; (2) when it is above it. The validity of the proposed theory is tested by comparing analytical predictions obtained for a few flow situations with corresponding results obtained by numerical means. The theory presented here can be utilized to convert the rate of rise of water in a pumped auger hole into directional conductivities of soil, in areas where water is found to be in a confined state overlying a gravel substratum. The study shows that the conductivity values calculated by neglecting the confining pressure of an artesian aquifer with a gravel base [i.e., by applying the existing (Boast and Kirkham in 1971), auger hole seepage theory for a phreatic aquifer with a gravel base to confined situations] may result in serious error; hence, the artesian head of an aquifer must be accounted for while computing the conductivity values. Further, it is observed that the area contributing flow to a pumped auger hole/well with a gravel base is mostly restricted to a short radial distance from the center of the hole, particularly for situations where the gravel substratum is located close to the bottom of the hole. This is in contrast to auger hole flow situations overlying an impervious substratum, where the domain contributing flow is mostly spread out to a considerable distance from the center of the hole.

Drip irrigation is considered one of the most efficient irrigation systems. Alternatively to the traditional drip irrigation systems, laterals can be installed below the soil surface. Realizing the subsurface drip irrigation (SDI), which recently has been increasing in use as a consequence of advances in plastics technology, making SDI equipment more affordable and long lasting. Due to its potential high efficiency SDI may produce benefits, especially in places where water is a limited source. As the use of SDI is relatively new, a better understanding of the infiltration process around a buried point source can contribute to increased water use efficiency and consequently the success of drip irrigation system. In addition, proper design and management of such a system needs the judicious combination of drip spacing, discharge rates, irrigation duration and time interval between consecutive irrigations. To this aim, numerical models can represent a powerful tool to analyze the evolution of the wetting pattern during the distribution and redistribution processes, in order to explore SDI management strategies, to set up the duration of irrigation, and finally to optimize water use efficiency. In the paper the suitability of the HYDRUS-2D simulation model is verified, at the scale of a single emitter, on the basis of experimental observations, with the aim to assess the axis-symmetrical infiltration process consequent to subsurface drip irrigation. The model was then applied in order to evaluate the main dimensions of the wetted soil volume surrounding the emitter during irrigation as a function of time and initial soil water content. The investigation, carried out in a sandy-loam soil, showed the suitability of the model to well simulate infiltration processes around an emitter during irrigation. Model application allowed also, for the examined soil, to evaluate the emitter spacing accounting for the maximum soil depth to irrigate.

Lysimeters constructed from polyethylene tanks were filled with Oldsmar fine sand soil. A single “Midsweet” orange on Carrizo citrange rootstock tree was planted in each lysimeter on May 5, 1991. Fertilization treatments included traditional fertilization using applications of dry-soluble fertilizer at 6-week intervals (TF), weekly fertigation applications (WF), and single annual applications of two different controlled-release materials (CR). Irrigation (by microsprinklers) and drainage volumes (collected weekly) were measured with totalizing flow meters. Trees fertilized with CR products achieved equivalent growth to trees on the TF and WF treatments, even though the CR treatment trees received only 44% of N as the other treatments. The fertigated trees averaged about 14% greater evapotranspiration (ET) during the period of study as compared to the nonfertigated trees. As the trees grew, the average ET increased from 2.8 and $2.3\mathrm{mm}{\text{day}}^{-1}$ during 1991/1992 for the fertigated and nonfertigated treatments, respectively, to 5.0 and $4.4\mathrm{mm}{\text{day}}^{-1}$ , respectively, during 1993/1994. The percentage of the applied N leached ranged from 35% for the WF treatment to 53% with the TF treatment. The total N leached ( ${\mathrm{NO}}_3–\mathrm{N}$ and ${\mathrm{NH}}_4–\mathrm{N}$ ) with the WF trees was approximately two times greater than that for the CR treatments. TF applications resulted in approximately two and one-half times more N leached than from the CR materials. More than 65% of the total N was leached during the rainy summer months (June–November). Leaching was found to be directly related to the rainfall rate.

Landscapes continuously irrigated without proper drainage for a long period of time frequently experience a rise in water-table levels. Waterlogging and salinization of irrigated areas are immediate impacts of this situation in arid areas, especially when groundwater salinity is high. Flooding and heavy rainfall further recharge groundwater and accelerate these impacts. An understanding of regional groundwater dynamics is required to implement land and water management strategies. The purpose of this study is to quantify the impact of flood and rain events on spatial scales using a geographic information system (GIS). This paper presents a case study of shallow water-table levels and salinity problems in the Wakool irrigation district located in the Murray irrigation area with groundwater average electrical conductivity greater than $\mathrm{25,000}\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{S}∕\mathrm{cm}$ . This area has experienced several large flood events during the past several decades. Piezometric data are interpolated to generate a water-table surface for each event by applying the Kriging method of spatial interpolation using the linear variogram model. Spatial and temporal analysis of major flood events over the last four decades is conducted using calculated water-table surfaces to quantify the change in groundwater storage and shallow water-table levels. The drainage impact of a subsurface drainage scheme partially covering the area has also been quantified in this paper. The results show that flooding and local rainfall have a significant impact on shallow groundwater. The study also found that postflood climatic conditions (evaporation and rainfall) play a significant role in the groundwater dynamics of the area. The spatial net average groundwater recharge during the flooding events ranges from 0.19 to $0.52\mathrm{ML}∕\mathrm{ha}$ . The GIS-based techniques described in this paper can be used for net recharge estimation in semiarid regions where it is important to quantify net recharge impacts of regional flooding and local rainfall. The spatial visualization of the net recharge in a GIS environment can help prioritize management actions by local communities.

The accuracy of an adaptive neurofuzzy computing technique in estimation of reference evapotranspiration $\left({\mathrm{ET}}_0\right)$ is investigated in this paper. The daily climatic data, solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed from two stations, Pomona and Santa Monica, in Los Angeles, Calif., are used as inputs to the neurofuzzy model to estimate ${\mathrm{ET}}_0$ obtained using the FAO-56 Penman–Monteith equation. In the first part of the study, a comparison is made between the estimates provided by the neurofuzzy model and those of the following empirical models: The California Irrigation Management System, Penman, Hargreaves, and Ritchie. In this part of the study, the empirical models are calibrated using the standard FAO-56 PM ${\mathrm{ET}}_0$ values. The estimates of the neurofuzzy technique are also compared with those of the calibrated empirical models and artificial neural network (ANN) technique. Mean-squared errors, mean-absolute errors, and determination coefficient statistics are used as comparing criteria for the evaluation of the models’ performances. The comparison results reveal that the neurofuzzy models could be employed successfully in modeling the ${\mathrm{ET}}_0$ process. In the second part of the study, the potential of the neurofuzzy technique, ANN and the empirical methods in estimation ${\mathrm{ET}}_0$ using nearby station data are investigated.

Mapping evapotranspiration at high resolution with internalized calibration (METRIC) is a satellite-based image-processing model for calculating evapotranspiration (ET) as a residual of the surface energy balance. METRIC uses as its foundation the pioneering SEBAL energy balance process developed in The Netherlands by Bastiaanssen, where the near-surface temperature gradients are an indexed function of radiometric surface temperature, thereby eliminating the need for absolutely accurate surface temperature and the need for air-temperature measurements. The surface energy balance is internally calibrated using ground-based reference ET to reduce computational biases inherent to remote sensing-based energy balance and to provide congruency with traditional methods for ET. Slope and aspect functions and temperature lapsing are used in applications in mountainous terrain. METRIC algorithms are designed for relatively routine application by trained engineers and other technical professionals who possess a familiarity with energy balance and basic radiation physics. The primary inputs for the model are short-wave and long-wave (thermal) images from a satellite (e.g., Landsat and MODIS), a digital elevation model and ground-based weather data measured within or near the area of interest. ET “maps” (i.e., images) via METRIC provide the means to quantify ET on a field-by-field basis in terms of both the rate and spatial distribution. METRIC has some significant advantages over many traditional applications of satellite-based energy balance in that its calibration is made using reference ET, rather than the evaporative fraction. The use of reference ET for the extrapolation of instantaneous ET from periods of $24\mathrm{h}$ and longer compensates for regional advection effects by not tying the evaporative fraction to net radiation, since ET can exceed daily net radiation in many arid or semi-arid locations. METRIC has some significant advantages over conventional methods of estimating ET from crop coefficient curves in that neither the crop development stages, nor the specific crop type need to be known with METRIC. In addition, energy balance can detect reduced ET caused by water shortage.

Recent satellite image processing developments have provided the means to calculate evapotranspiration (ET) as a residual of the surface energy balance to produce ET “maps.” These ET maps (i.e., images) provide the means to quantify ET on a field by field basis in terms of both the rate and spatial distribution. The ET images show a progression of ET during the year or growing season as well as its spatial distribution. The mapping evapotranspiration at high resolution with internalized calibration (METRIC) is a satellite-based image-processing procedure for calculating ET. METRIC has been applied with high resolution Landsat images in southern Idaho, southern California, and New Mexico to quantify monthly and seasonal ET for water rights accounting, operation of ground water models, and determination of crop coefficient populations and mean curves for common crops. Comparisons between ET by METRIC, ET measured by lysimeter, and ET predicted using traditional methods have been made on a daily and monthly basis for a variety of crop types and land uses. Error in estimated growing season ET was 4% for irrigated meadow in the Bear River basin of Idaho and 1% for an irrigated sugar beet crop near Kimberly, Id. Standard deviation of error for time periods represented by each satellite image averaged about 13 to 20% in both applications. The results indicate that METRIC and similar methods such as SEBAL hold substantial promise as efficient, accurate, and inexpensive procedures to estimate actual evaporation fluxes from irrigated lands throughout growing seasons.

Alternate depths and sequent depths are calculated by solving the specific energy and specific force equations, respectively. The specific energy and specific force equations result in fifth degree polynomial equations for trapezoidal cross sections. A methodology is developed for simultaneous determination of the alternate depths and/or sequent depths. The methodology uses solutions of quadratic and third-order polynomial equations to identify the two flow depths.

An optimization method is proposed for estimating the storage coefficient and transmissivity of an aquifer from drawdowns in large diameter wells consequent to an unsteady pumping. The concept of an optimal time step size is propagated in the proposed method. The estimate of the aquifer parameters corresponding to the optimal time step size is termed final estimate. The estimates for any other time step size are not reliable. The proposed method can also take into account the residual drawdowns. The application of the method is illustrated using an example.

A computationally simple and accurate algebraic approximation of the well function for large diameter wells is proposed. This approximation can be used to calculate drawdown in a large diameter well due to steady pumping. Using this approximation, a method is proposed for calculating drawdowns in large diameter wells due to unsteady pumping discharge. The proposed method is also applicable for calculating residual drawdowns in large diameter wells. In principle, the proposed method that uses the approximation of the well function should yield more accurate results than the previously proposed kernel methods.