This document discusses the automation of canal irrigation systems. It provides background on publications and organizations related to canal automation in the US dating back to 1968. It outlines the goals of a recent manual on canal automation published in 2016, which was to consolidate advances in the field and recommend best practices globally. The manual covers topics like modernization processes, physical structures, control systems, hydraulics, and implementation of control systems. It aims to help irrigation districts improve resource use, operations, and service through technical, managerial, and infrastructure upgrades.

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Canal Automation for Irrigation
Systems: ASCE MOP 131
Brian Wahlin, Ph.D., PE, D.WRE
WEST Consultants, Inc.
Darell Zimbelman, Ph.D., PE, D.WRE
Water Systems Operations and Management, LLC
• US publications starting in 1968
– American Society of Civil Engineers
– Universities
– World Bank
– US Bureau of Reclamation
– US Committee on Irrigation and Drainage
• Last formal publication in 1999
– Research continued
Historic Perspectives

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• Automation can … generally provide better
service to the water users…” -- USBR 1973
• Flexible water supplies permit both irrigator and
delivery system to be managed with more
freedom and flexibility
Historic Perspectives
• US Bureau of Reclamation
– Central Valley Project (California)
– Central Arizona Project (CAP)
– Hydraulic research lab in Denver (Colorado)
• US Department of Agriculture
• Rural Water Commission & Rubicon Water
• Irrigation Training and Research Center
• Others
Historic Perspectives

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• Task Committee for the American Society of Civil
Engineers
– Environmental and Water Resources Institute
– Volunteer work (6 years to complete)
• Goal
– Consolidate recent advances in canal automation
– Globally focused
– Recommend best practices
• Does not endorse specific vendors
Canal Automation for Irrigation
Systems
Participant Countries
• USA
• Netherlands
• Australia
• France
• Spain
• Portugal
• China
• Mexico

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• It is a process and not a task
• Improves resource utilization
• Combination of:
– Technical upgrades
– Managerial adaptations
– Organizational modifications
– Infrastructure upgrades
• Concentrates on inner workings of the district
• Unique to each project or system
What is Modernization?
• Population expected to increase
• Expanding irrigation acreage not feasible
• Expectation is that irrigated agriculture will meet
the increased demand
• Question should be: Can you afford not to
modernize?
Why Modernize?

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• Supply-oriented vs. demand-oriented
• Improved deliveries for maximum production
• Allows for modernization of on-farm practices
• Improved in-stream & environmental flows
• Reduced spills
• Increased efficiencies & accountability
• Higher level of service
• Compliance with laws, rules & permits
Benefits of Modernization
• Define level of service
• Train staff in service-oriented operations
• Understand what causes poor deliveries
• Select an appropriate canal operation strategy
• Improve communications
• Improve staff mobility
• Provide excellent flow rate control and
measurement
Modernization Steps

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• Construct buffering reservoirs
• Improve water level control
• Reorganize water ordering procedures
• Provide remote manual control
• Capture spills for re-use
• Plan, plan, plan
• When not to modernize
Modernization Steps
• Questions
– How is water provided?
– How are water depths & flow rates controlled minute-
to-minute?
• Water delivery mode
– Function of physical infrastructure
• Control strategy
– Local / distributed / centralized control
• Emergency responses & safeguards
Select Appropriate Operations
Strategy

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• Modernization Process, Constraints and
Concepts
• Physical Structures
• SCADA Systems
• Control Operation and Control Concepts
• Canal Hydraulic Properties
• Control Methods
• Verification of Controller Performance
• Implementation of Control Systems
Manual of Practice 131: Canal
Automation for Irrigation Systems
• MOP 131 is about state-of-the art methods and
equipment
• Covers planning, design, construction,
installation, and commissioning of canal
automation systems
• Not specific to any one vendor
• Read MOP 131 before beginning a canal
automation or modernization project
• www.asce.org – search for “MOP 131”
Manual of Practice 131: Canal
Automation for Irrigation Systems