Application of Hydraulic Sensitivity Indicators in Improving Canal Control Capabilities for Irrigation Systems

Water management in irrigation systems is crucial for ensuring food and water security. Irrigation canals must be appropriately managed for efficient utilization of agricultural water resources. Ensuring timely, sufficient, safe, and effective water delivery poses challenges attributed to the operational and regulatory complexities associated with irrigation canals. Sensitivity analysis was used to analyze the canal response behavior after hydraulic regulation or external disturbance, supporting the decision to regulate the canal. Herein, two hydraulic sensitivity indicators, offtake discharge sensitivity and water level sensitivity, were selected based on the main concerns in canal operation. The influence of different hydraulic elements on the sensitivity indicators was analyzed, and the fitting formulas for the hydraulic sensitivity indicators were derived. Based on the analysis results, measures such as increasing the water level before the offtake, reducing the elevation difference between the diversion and parent canal, and using the arc-bottom trapezoidal cross-section can be used by canal managers to reduce canal sensitivity. The results of this study can provide theoretical support for improving the rationality of canal regulation and the service level of irrigation projects.