Development and Field-Installation of a Mathematical Simulation Model in Support of Irrigation Canal Management

The first pilot study of the International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI) on mathematical flow simulation was done at the Kirindi Oya Right Bank Main Canal (RBMC) in Sri Lanka. This paper describes the development and field-installation of a mathematical flow simulation model for the RBMC. The RBMC simulation model is intended to serve not only as a research and training tool to study the hydraulic behavior of irrigation canals but also as a decision-support tool for managing a manually operated irrigation system. Thework, which constitutes Phase 1 of an IIMI research program intended to be of regional scope, was carried out in partnership with CEMAGREF, France and the Irrigation Department Sri Lanka