Measuring conveyance efficiencies to improve irrigation water management

This paper presents a study of conveyance efficiencies of Canal de Salvaterra, in the Sorraia Irrigation Project, Portugal. The Canal and the Project are briefly described and the water measurement techniques and structures utilized are analysed. Results comprise the main aspects of the inflow-outflow balance with identification of water losses and conveyance efficiencies. Analysing the results showed that irrigation efficiencies are higher during work days and labour hours and lower during weekends and at night. This identified the need to improve operation and management of the irrigation system, adapting inflow to demand according travel time and response time of the conveyance (and distribution) system, of the different main sections of the system.