Optimum Water Resources Allocation for Mekong-Chi-Mun Transbasin Irrigation Project, Northeast Thailand

System analysis and a mixed integer linear programming technique are used to undertake comparative analysis to find an optimum development option of the Mekong-Chi-Mun transbasin irrigation (KCM) project in Northeast Thailand within a total potential area of 692,258 ha. The optimization model considers ten key integer variables, decisions, and constraints on improvement of existing irrigation and hydropower systems and development of new irrigation areas. The optimum solutions are determined for various cases based on maximizing net benefits for a maximum irrigation area within the given limit of potential area. Additionally, sixty irrigation development options with prespecijied irrigation components are also considered in the optimization to compare and verify the results with the optimum mixed integer solutions. In this study, the considered irrigation area development options include the possibility of having the proposed Huailuang Reservoir serve a maximum possible irrigation area in the Mekong-Chi-Mun Basin using available water resources within the basin and from the Mekong River For the first phase development, the irrigation development option, KCM-33, which yields maximum net benefits for an irrigation area of 551,080 ha, is recommended as satisfying the constraints for flood control and minimum water requirement. For the second phase development, Option KCM-39, which has the second highest net benefits covering the largest irrigation area of 605,933 ha, is recommended.