Improving operational performance of farmers managed distributary canal using SIC hydraulic model

Operation of a secondary canal was recently transferred to the farmers' organization (FO) under irrigation management transfer (IMT) programme. After modernization of Upper Swat Canal (USC) irrigation system, the water allowance was increased to operate the irrigation system more in demand responsive mode. The study of the existing operation of the canal revealed that most of the time the irrigation supplies exceed the demand and the farmers either over irrigate their fields or waste precious irrigation water. Operation and management aspect of the irrigation system play a pivotal role in overall water management practices. SIC (Simulation of Irrigation Canals) hydrodynamic model was employed to evaluate the operational performance of the distributary. Different operational scenarios were investigated and quantified based on fixed frequency operation. Based on these results it is suggested to operate the distributary at 80–90% of the design discharge during May to July, and 75–90% of the design discharge from August to April to reduce water losses due to high water allowance.