OPTIMAL OPERATION OF SOUTH INDIAN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

An optimal operation model development method for a typical south Indi an irrigation system is developed. This method envisions three phases of modeling. First is a simulation model to simulate the command area of the reservoir, consisting of paddy fields both drawing directly fro m the canals from the reservoir and also drawing water through tanks i n the command area. This simulation model is used to determine the exp ected demand sequences by simulating the command area with historical data. Second is a Stochastic Dynamic Programming (SDP) model to obtain an optimal release policy. This SDP model considers both demand and i nflow as stochastic, and both are assumed to follow first-order Markov chain model. Third is simulation using the optimal release policy fro m the SDP model. This simulation model is used to study the degree of failure associated with adoption of the optimal operating policy for d ifferent reservoir storages at the start of the crop seasons.