ADAPTATION OF A SIMULATION MODEL OF IRRIGATION CANALS IN UNSTEADY FLOW

Abstract

The management of a manually operated irrigation canal with a number of control structures presents a special set of challenges to the system manager, who has to identify and implement a coordinated operational strategy. In this research a digital model for the Hydraulic Simulation of Irrigation Canals (SIC) under unsteady flow was calibrated, validated and applied into the pools of the Right Margin Principal Channel (CPMD) in the Irrigation District No. 085, La Begoña, Guanajuato. The methodology used to carry out the present work included records of the geometrical, topological, and topographical characteristics of the CPMD, as well as the hydraulic function under steady and unsteady flow conditions. SIC was adapted with the information obtained, calibrated for steady flow conditions and validated for unsteady flow conditions. Through application on CPMD real operation, it was concluded that the SIC model is able to simulate satisfactorily the hydraulic operation of this canal, and thus it may be applied for its operation.