A Flexible System for Estimation of Infiltration and Hydraulic Resistance Parameters in Surface Irrigation

Abstract

Abstract. Characterizing the infiltration and hydraulic resistance process is critical to the use of modeling tools for the hydraulic analysis of surface irrigation systems. Because those processes are still not well understood, various formulations are currently used to represent them. A software component has been developed for estimation of the parameters of infiltration and hydraulic resistance models. Infiltration computations rely on volume balance analysis. The software provides flexibility for defining the estimation problem with various data configurations. The procedure works with various infiltration and resistance formulations. Given the inherent inaccuracies of volume balance analysis, the software provides tools for identifying and correcting some of those inaccuracies. Computational tests are provided to illustrate the capabilities and limitations of the proposed procedures. Keywords: Basin irrigation, Border irrigation, Computer model, Computer software, Furrow irrigation, Model calibration, Surface irrigation, Water management, WinSRFR.