Euro-Mediterranean Information System on know-how in the Water sector - Background documents on Agriculture

A New Approach to Sediment Transport in the Design and Operation of Irrigation Canals

2010-07-29T14:43:25Z

The transport of sediment greatly influences the sustainability of an irrigation system. Erosion and deposition not only increase maintenance costs, but may result in an inequitable and inadequate distribution of irrigation water. Understanding the behaviour and transport of sediment allows efficient planning and reliable water delivery schedules, and ensures the controlled deposition of sediments, making maintenance activities more manageable. These lecture notes present a detailed analysis of sediment transport in irrigation canals, together with physical and mathematical descriptions of the behaviour. A mathematical model predicts the sediment transport, deposition and entrainment rate for various flow conditions and sediment inputs. The model is particularly suitable for the simulation of sediment transport in irrigation canals where flow and sediment transport are largely determined by the operation of flow control structures. This book is published in cooperation with UNESCO-IHE.

Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture: CA Info Brief No. 14 – March 21, 2007

2008-09-02T18:05:52Z

Water for Food, Water for Life: A Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture

CA Issue Briefs and Research Reports

2008-09-02T18:05:52Z

Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Agriculture

2010-04-22T13:28:24Z

Agriculture is the major user of water in most countries. It also faces the enormous challenge of producing almost 50% more food by 2030 and doubling production by 2050. This will likely need to be achieved with less water, mainly because of growing pressures from urbanisation, industrialisation and climate change.

This report shows the trends and outlook for water use in agriculture, examines the policy experiences of OECD countries in managing their resources - and recommends what countries should be doing and why.

Summary of the book (pdf, 157 KB)