AN OPEN CHANNEL NETWORK MODERNIZATION WITH AUTOMATED STRUCTURES

摘要

In Mexico, most irrigation delivery systems consist of a network of open-channels withrnmanually-operated control structures. Efficiencies of these systems typically are low. To improvernwater management in these systems, the Mexican government has attempted to modernize manyrnirrigation projects (Reynosa, Apatzingan, Valle del Mezquital, and Santiago among others).usingrnautomatic self-leveling check structures However, problems have emerged with the operation ofrnthese structures, causing dissatisfaction among water users.rnThe Santiago Irrigation System (SIS) began operating in 1998. Its main distribution systemrnconsists of open channels regulated by self-leveling gates and constant flow modules. Lowpressurernpipelines deliver water to individual plots. During the first three years of operation,rninadequate water level regulation with the automated gates caused water distribution problemsrnthat ultimately affected crop productivity. This negative situation encouraged users to takerncontrol over the irrigation system and to revert to the traditional manual operation.rnTo help address the technical issues, an experimental channel was built at the University ofrnZacatecas. The channel was expected to help researchers develop a better understanding of thernhydraulic theory and operation of this type of structures and to help solve practical installationrnand operational problems. This paper describes our experience rehabilitating and calibratingrnAVIS and AVIO self-leveling gates; it also describes the sequence of operations that must bernfollowed for the adequate management of the automated structures in the SIS main network.