Kinematic Wave Model for Surge Irrigation Research in Furrows

Abstract

ABSTRACT Akinematic wave model was developed for surge and continuous irrigation of furrows. The primary concentration was in accurately portraying the surge irrigation infiltration phenomenon as characterized through field studies. The surge infiltration algorithm was developed using Clemmens' (1981) branch function and a three phase treatment of the infiltration phenomenon including wet, transition, and dry regimes. The transition infiltration regime was modeled using an opportunity time based function. The model was tested using independently measured input data. Small errors between predicted and field measured values of opportunity time at any point in the furrow resulted, substantiating the accuracy of the model. A limited sensitivity analysis showed that the field slope, Manning's roughness coefficient, and the furrow hydraulic section-cross sectional area parameters had little effect on the ability of the model to predict surge irrigation advance and performance provided that the initial values used are representative. The infiltration and surge management parameters had large effects on advance and performance predictions.