A COMPUTER MODEL FOR IRRIGATION WATER INDENTING AND OPTIMIZATION OF MINOR CANAL OPERATION

Abstract

This study was carried out with objectives of developing a proper decision aid for irrigation indenting of multiple crop rotation based on Penman- Montieth equation( 1994) and amenable for the format of meteorological data of the Sudan. Consequently the study developed a mathematical simulation of canal operation for the purpose of optimization of water allocation within such a canal. Linear programming algorithm was made to optimize irrigation water allocation between different outlets in the irrigation canal under the constraints of fixed canal capacity and irrigation interval. The model was coded in a personal computer using Excel – visual basic application language (VBA ). These models were verified statistically in comparison with published models. Both water indent and allocation modules were applied to the real cases of wet and dry regions of Gezira Scheme – Sudan. The modules were applied to estimate water indent and for sequencing canal outlets for the cases of early and peak season at Sunni Minor canal and Ugud Minor canal. The model sensitivity to changes in outlet - inflow rate ( working time per outlet ) was made for the said two cases to XII conclude the developed model capabilities to optimize water scheduling and allocation process which can be used to save irrigation water during early stages and to upgrade the operation of minor canals in the irrigated schemes in the Sudan. XIII