Abstract:
The sustainability of irrigation projects, which use extensive open channel
conveyance systems to distribute water, depends to a great extent on the ability
of the system to economically satisfy farm water needs and to ensure maximum
utilization of water commanded for irrigation purposes.
This study assess and evaluates the hydraulic performances of the conveyance
systems and irrigation potential of Bilate tobacco development irrigation project
•
in Abaya-Chamo River Basin of southern Ethiopia. The capacities of the
existing main · channel and secondary channels are sufficient to irrigate the
potential availaole command area. Furthermore, the water balance performance
indicators show the possibility of command area expansion.
. .
The delivery performance ratio is less than unity for all the channels mainly as a
result of sediment accumulations. The estimated maximum annual rate of
.
deposited bed loads and suspended sediment loads entering to the channel
system through the main intake from Bilate River are 227.3*10
3
tons/year and
366.6*10
3
tons/year respectively.
The total water losses on the conveyance systems are within the permissible
ranges. The overall and conveyance efficiencies found to be as per F AO
recommendation ranges.
Impacts of irrigation water distribution system management, operations and
maintenance on the performances of the existing conveyance systems of the
irrigation project was tried to be assessed. The overall results of this study can
give a clue to the management groups how conveyance systems are
performing thereby future planning for improvements of the underperforming
components of the conveyance systems can be realized.
