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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Water Management and Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #146822
Title: SIPES - SURFACE IRRIGATION PARAMETER ESTIMATION SOFTWARE

Author
item TAMIMI, A - UNIV OF AZ, TUCSON
item Clemmens, Albert
item Bautista, Eduardo
item Strelkoff, Theodor

Submitted to: United States Committee of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2003
Publication Date: 5/15/2003
Citation: Tamimi, A.H., Clemmens, A.J., Bautista, E., Strelkoff, T. 2003. Sipes - surface irrigation parameter estimation software. United States Committee of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering Conference. p. 615-624.

Interpretive Summary: Surface irrigation has the reputation for using water inefficiently and causing excess water diversion. With increasing competition for water supplies, irrigated agriculture is viewed as a source of water savings. Surface irrigation performance can often be improved, but such improvements are difficult without a clear understanding of existing conditions and performance. Simulation and analysis models currently exist which can be used to determine how to improve performance. However, use of this software is limited by the general inability to determine ¿actual¿ field infiltration and roughness conditions. A new software tool is under development to provide assistance in determining parameters that define these conditions. The completion of this software will allow irrigation advisors to make recommendations on how to improve surface irrigation performance. This should be of use to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, agricultural consultants, and surface irrigation farmers.

Technical Abstract: The US Water Conservation Laboratory is developing a software tool for estimating field values of infiltration and roughness parameters required by surface irrigation simulation and design programs. The Surface Irrigation Parameter Estimation Software (SIPES) has two fundamental goals. Initially, it will provide a tool for conducting comparative evaluations of the available parameter-estimation methods in order to develop a basis for recommendations and guidelines. These comparisons will enable the identification of a subset of recommended methods, based on their ease of use and accuracy. Ultimately, SIPES will provide action agencies, consultants, irrigation managers, researchers, and other potential users with practical means for selecting an appropriate estimation method and applying it with their data.