Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Water Management and Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #301959
Title: Validation of a decision support system for improving irrigation system performance

Author
item KINZLI, KRISTOPH-DIETRI - Florida Gulf Coast University
item GENSLER, DAVID - Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
item DeJonge, Kendall
item OAD, RAMCHAND - Colorado State University
item SHAFIKE, NABIL - New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission

Submitted to: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2014
Publication Date: 10/16/2014
Citation: Kinzli, K.C., Gensler, D., DeJonge, K.C., Oad, R., Shafike, N. 2014. Validation of a decision support system for improving irrigation system performance. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. 04014067-1.DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000829.

Interpretive Summary: This paper presents the results of a significant validation effort for an irrigation delivery Decision Support System (DSS) in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD). Overall, the validation and refinement of input parameters resulted in a DSS model that accurately predicts evapotranspiration water requirements (ET) and can be used to schedule water delivery. The refinement of the DSS input parameters resulted in predicted 15,600AF increase in the diversion suggested by the DSS, indicating that the original DSS input parameters would have adversely affected farmers in the MRGCD. The study showed that validation of a DSS is crucial if such a program is to be successfully utilized to deliver irrigation water.

Technical Abstract: To address water shortage and improve water delivery operations, decision support systems have been developed and utilized throughout the United States and the world. One critical aspect that is often neglected during the development and implementation of decision support systems is validation, which can result in flawed water distribution and rejection of the DSS by water users and managers. This paper presents the results of a significant validation effort for a DSS in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD). The validation resulted in a refined application efficiency of 45%, a refined readily available water (RAW) remaining when farmers irrigate value of 20% and a Nash Sutcliffe Modeling Efficiency of 0.86 for soil moisture depletion patterns. Overall, the validation and refinement of input parameters resulted in a DSS model that accurately predicts ET and can be used to schedule water delivery. The refinement of the DSS input parameters resulted in an increased 15,600AF diversion suggested by the DSS, indicating that the original DSS input parameters would have adversely affected farmers in the MRGCD. The study showed that validation of a DSS is crucial if such a program is to be successfully utilized to deliver irrigation water.