A simulation of water allocation policies in times of water shortage

The use of a simulation package to study the consequences of various water allocation policies during time of water shortage is described. The study shows that simulation can be a valuable aid to irrigation scheme managers in their decision making.     

An approach to multi-criterion evaluation of irrigation system performance

Irrigation systems aim to meet multiple objectives and performance must therefore be assessed using quantifiable measures for each. It therefore becomes an extremely difficult task to capture the valuation of all of them simultaneously and to mentally process the trade-offs between them in order to arrive at an overall impression of system performance. There is a need for a methodology which provides a systematic approach to comparing and combining the components of overall performance.Multi-Attribute Utility Theory offers an attractive approach to assessing performance of irrigation systems in the form of a utility function which reflects the strength of preferences and trade-offs between individual performance criteria. The method is described and demonstrated on the basis of a case study of irrigation in Sudan.     

先进安全车(ASV)技术的现状与发展

先进安全车(ASV,AdvancedSafetyVehicle)是为21世纪开发使用的一种高度智能化的安全车,其主要利用电子技术进一步提高汽车的安全性能。因而,汽车安全性的研究与开发已成为汽车行业发展的主要方向。为此,介绍了先进安全车(ASV)技术的现状,并讨论了这项技术的发展趋势。     

Managing the water balance of The Fayoum Depression,Egypt

A study of the water balances of The Fayoum irrigated lands and Lake Qarun was made to investigate the management of the irrigation system and the efficiency of irrigation water use. The two water balances are strongly interrelated. The drainage flow to Lake Qarun and the water level of the Lake are in delicate balance. A rise in Lake level causes the inundation of adjacent land. Management of The Fayoum water balance assumes control over irrigation water flows, but this control has technical and organizational limitations. Also discussed is the influence of irrigation practices in The Fayoum on the water balance (e.g., the autumn flushing of fields and farmers' preference for not irrigating at night in winter). Notwithstanding a high overall efficiency, irrigation efficiency during the winter is low. The reasons for this are given, together with the constraints against improving system management. Improved uniformity of the division and application of irrigation water will enable a better technical control of flows and will result in better water management in The Fayoum. Abbreviations: FID — Fayoum Irrigation Department, 1 feddan (fe) — 0.4 ha, 1 mcm — 1 million cubic metres: an average annual flow of 3.17 m³/s gives 100 mcm, m³/fe.year — supplied volume (m³) per surface area (fe) per year: 1000 m³/fe.year equals 240 mm/year, MSL — Mean Sea Level     

Main experiences on design and management of the Dujiangyan irrigation system

The largescale Dujiangyan Irrigation System has had a long history. Built some 2200 years ago, it still operates smoothly today. Two major causes for the obvious profits it has provided are:Firstly, Yuzui (a bifurcation pier), Feishayan (a sand outlet and spillway) and Baopingkou (a diversion intake for the general trunk canal), the three main head-works were built in accordance with the terrain and topography of the river and appropriately arranged, thus successfully solving the problem of sand discharge and flood control. Consequently the task of gravity diversion could be fulfilled over a long period.Secondly, there is a special management and maintenance system, which is made up of a technical and an administrative department. The former is in charge of the maintenance and drawing-up of flood control and water consuming plans. The latter is responsible to mobilize and organize farmers which benefit from the system to carry out related plans and tasks. The most apparent characteristics of management is that many farmers are organized to participate in the management of this irrigation system. At present, techniques like remote control and telemetery have been adopted. Also experiments on management automation and optimization of water allocation are being conducted.     

Water management for irrigation in Antiquity (Urartu 850 to 600 B.C.)

The kingdom of Urartu existed in Eastern Anatolia from about 850 B.C. to 600 B.C. Historical references and archaeological evidence indicate the considerable artistic and technical skill of the Urartian people. The supply of the kingdoms capital Tupa/Rusahinili with drinking and irrigation water is an outstanding example of a well-planned and excellently built historical inter-basin water management project. The system has been in operation for more than 2000 years and still serves, at least partly, its original purpose.     

Division of irrigation water in The Fayoum,Egypt

The division of irrigation water in The Fayoum, Egypt, has been measured. Factors influencing this division are discussed: the hydraulic conditions at structures and canals, the operation regime of gates, lack of reliable gauge data for system operation, shortage of labour, and the water level in Lake Qarun. A deviation from uniform supply has been found for the entire Fayoum, but also along a lateral and sub-lateral. The reasons for this are discussed and suggestions for possible technical improvements of The Fayoum system are given.Abbreviations FWSBM Fayoum Water and Salt Balance Model Project - MSL Mean Sea Level at Alexandria - FID Fayoum Irrigation Department - mcm million cubic metres     

The quality of service provided by the irrigation department to the users associations, Tunuyan System, Mendoza, Argentina

The quality of service provided by the provincial Irrigation Department (DGI) to the Water Users Associations (UA), and subsequently by the UA's to the related water users, is based on the provincial water law. The intended volume of water being delivered per considered period further depends on the water availability and on the (crop irrigation) water requirements. The Service Level (SL) compares the intended water supply with the water supply that would be required to supply the entire irrigable area with sufficient water. As soon as the intended water delivery pattern is set, the measured actual delivery can be assessed against the intention. Several performance indicators are used in this context. Based on the assessment of the Water Delivery Performance Ratio and the Overall Consumed Ratio recommendations are made on changes which can be made to improve water use and reduce problems of waterlogging.     

Spreadsheets for water management — a case study from the Brantas Delta,East Java

The use of commercially available spreadsheet programs for scheduling of water supplies for large scale irrigation networks is a relatively new phenomenom. The paper describes the development and application of such a program for a 30 000 ha irrigation scheme in the Brantas Delta, East Java. The program has been in use for day-to-day scheduling of main system supplies since April 1986, during which time refinements and adjustments have been necessary to formulate a working package. The paper draws conclusions regarding the value of the program for improving water management.     

以农机资本经营促进大型农机自我更新

1998年，安达市被黑龙江省财政厅确定为农机资本经营试点市。几年来，在黑龙江省财政厅的大力支持下，在省农机局的精心指导下，取得了较好的经济和社会效益。实施农机资本经营，无论对地方财政建设，还是对农机事业自我完善和更新发展，都起到了积极的推进作用。为此，以实施农机资本经营为出发点，论述了大型农机的自我完善、自我更新的发展思路。