Irrigation Optimization Under Limited Water Supply

Abstract

ABSTRACT Atwo-stage simulation/mathematical programming model was developed to determine the optimal intraseasonal allocation of irrigation water under conditions of limited water availability. The model was applied to a representative surface irrigated farm in Washington State's Columbia River Basin. Results from applying the model to a series of incifeasingly severe water shortage conditions indicated a large potential for water conservation in the assumed production setting. Farm-level water supply reductions of 40% translated to about 10% decrease in economic returns. Income losses resulting from water shortages were minimized through the conjunctive management of irrigation scheduling, irrigation labor practices, and several other short-run responses to water deficits. The combination of crop water simulation and farm-level economic optimization models was shown to be a compatible merger of techniques for representing the engineering and economic irrigation environment.