Abstract:
Water is a scarce and valuable resource that must be utilized efficiently, especially in
regions with limited water supplies. Furrow irrigation is a type of surface irrigation
system that used to irrigate row crops including sugarcane. To be more efficient in surface
irrigation practices, it is very important to monitor water distribution system in order to
assure adequate supply of water to the fields as well as to permit uniform distribution of
water over the field. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluates the performance of hydro
flume and open-field head-ditch irrigation systems at Omo-Kuraz-2 Sugarcane Farm in
Southern Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, primary data such as; flow rate, infiltration
rate, furrow length, and moisture contents at various depths (0–30 cm, 30–60 cm, 60–90
cm) were collected. Besides that secondary data such as climate, crop, soil data and the
likes were also collected from previous studies, design documents and government
reports. The study identified three fields each for the open-head ditch and hydro-flume
systems. Measurements of soil texture, soil moisture, inflow rate (at 50, 100, 150, and 200
meter furrow lengths), and infiltration rates were taken using an auger, Parshall flume,
and double-ring infiltrometer, respectively. The obtained results indicated that the hydro
flume system outperforms the open-head ditch system, achieving higher application
efficiency (59.42% vs. 57.66%). Furthermore, hydro-flume systems show superior storage
efficiency (32.23%) over open-head ditch systems (13.4%), indicating better water
retention in the soil root zone. However, open-head ditch systems excel in water
distribution, achieving a distribution efficiency of 84.84%, significantly higher than the
62.8% observed in hydro-flume systems, suggesting a more uniform water application.
Both systems face operational and maintenance challenges, including blockages and
seepage, underscoring the importance of regular cleaning, inspection, and system
adjustments to optimize performance. The findings contribute to improving irrigation
practices, promoting sustainable water management, and enhancing sugarcane
production efficiency in the region.
