ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE OF SLUICES

Transcription

1 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt 1673 ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE OF SLUICES S. Prem Priya 1 and K. Karunakaran 2 1 Research Scholar & 2 Dr., Supervisor & Director, Centre for Water Resources, Anna University, Chennai , Tamil Nadu, India ABSTRACT This study is about the assessment of performance of sluices in a canal system in Lower Bhavani Project (LBP), Tamil Nadu, India. The main objectives of this study are (1) To evaluate the operational, agricultural, financial and management performance of the sluices. (3) To compare the performance of three sluices and to prescribe corrective measures for better performance. 24R sluice from U8B of upper reach, 3L sluice from M6 of middle reach and 6L sluice from L14 council of lower reach are selected and the observations are made. The focus here is on the farmers councils and their activities regarding the operational, agricultural, financial, and management performance of the irrigation system. The performances of the system are evaluated using interview schedule and direct field observations. The discharge is measured using float method and seepage loss using ponding method. Average seepage loss is found as m 3 /s/mm 2 in 24 R sluice. Operational performance is good in 6L sluice of tail reach. The agricultural performance is good in 24R sluice of head reach. Financial performance is good in 3L sluice of middle reach. Management performance is good in both head and middle reach sluices. Keywords: Performance, sluices, Farmers councils, irrigation system INTRODUCTION Water is recognized as a vital resource for human life serving domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes. Water is also indispensable for economic activity, societal development and environmental sustainability. Securing water has become essential in everyday life, though it is scarce and costly but essential for survival and for food production. OBJECTIVES The main objectives of the present study are as follows: 1. To evaluate the operational, agricultural, financial and management performance of the sluices in head, middle and tail reaches of a canal system. 2. To compare the performance of the three sluices and to prescribe corrective measures for better performance.

2 1674 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt STUDY AREA Lower Bhavani Project The Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) is in Tamil Nadu state in the South India. It comprises a 200km (124 miles) contour canal named as Lower Bhavani Main canal. The construction of LBP was started in January 1948 and completed by the end of The LBP main canal command area is about 83,770 hectares, constituting 83 per cent of the LBP command area. The irrigation distribution system consists of 3 major distributaries, 69 distributaries, 196 minor distributaries and 118 direct sluices. The cropping pattern followed is, a wet crop raised during August to December, followed by a fallow period from January to July and then rain fed crop during the period of August December of next year and then followed by irrigated dry crop during January April. Salient features of Lower Bhavani Project In lower Bhavani, main canal distributaries were not lined. Normally paddy was grown in the first turn during August to December and dry crops such as groundnut or gingelly grown in the second turn during January to April. Table 1 gives details about the supply schedule in LBP. Table 1 Supply Schedule of LBP System Turns Schedule of supplies Duration Nature of crop LBP Turn I Turn II Aug 1 st to Dec 16 th Dec 16 th to Apr 30 th 4.5 months 4.5 months Wet crop Dry crop WATER USER ASSOCIATION IN LBP Formation of Water Users Association in the Lower Bhavani Project was initiated during the year 1988 with the objective to enable users participation in Warabandi system of irrigation water management under the Command Area Development Programme called Pasana Membattu Thittam meaning irrigation upliftment plan. The Agricultural Engineering Department (AED), Government of Tamil Nadu, undertook the task of organizing the WUAs. The WUA structure in the LBP Command consists of (i) Farmers Councils (44 in number); (ii) Distributory Committees (6 in number) and (iii) Federation. The details of the study area councils taken for study are given in the Table 2.

3 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt 1675 Figure 1 shows the Lower Bhavani Project Irrigation System and the councils taken for study. Figure 1 Lower Bhavani Project Irrigation System and the study sluices

4 1676 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt Table 2 Details of the study area councils taken for study Sl. No. Description Upper Reach Middle Reach Tail Reach 1 Name of the councils U8B M6 L14 2 Name of the Distributory committee Kavunthapadi (DC-2) Nasiyanur (DC-3) Mangalam patti (DC-6) 3 Total command area of the council (ha) Number of sluices Sluice Number and Mileage taken for study / / / / Sluice Vent size (in.) Command area of the sluice (ha) 8 Hamlets covered Pappangattur, Iyempalayam Veppampalayam 9 Turn (Even year) I I I 10 Number of farmers Periyakarattu palayam METHODOLOGY For the purpose of the present study, voluminous data were required. Many of them had been collected as secondary data from various Government departments. Primary data were collected through interviews, direct measurements and field observations. All the primary data for the management status of the councils and the sluices in the study areas were collected through interviews of the farmers. As the number of farmers is much less, all the farmers were interviewed in detail. The variables under consideration for the interview are organizational capacity, maintenance of the system, awareness, participation, organizational linkage, conflict management and irrigation management. The discharge rate and the conveyance loss are observed. Performance is assessed for a variety of reasons: to improve system operations, to assess progress against strategic goals, as an integral part of performance-oriented management, to assess the general health of a system, to assess impacts of interventions, to diagnose constraints, to better understand determinants of performance, and to compare the performance of a system with others or with the same system over time. The type of performance measures chosen depends on the purpose of the performance assessment activity. In this study, the performances of the study areas are evaluated. The performances include operational, agricultural, financial and management aspects.

5 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt 1677 Operational Performance The indicators used in evaluating operational performance are reliability, performance of sluices and conveyance loss. All other parameters are evaluated through farmers interview and secondary sources except discharge rate and average seepage loss. Measurement of discharge rate is done by using Float method and average seepage loss in the field channel is measured by using Ponding method. The conveyance losses in the canal and percolation losses from the fields will indicate the actual water used at the field level. Float method-discharge measurement The velocity of water is measured with the help of a float. A block of wood may serve as a float. A straight section of the channel measuring 10m to 30m long fairly uniform cross section is selected for the purpose. The cross-sectional area of the stream is calculated by multiplying the mean width of the wetted part of the channel by the depth of water. The discharge is calculated by: Q = A*V (1) Where, Q = Discharge in m 3 /s, A = Cross sectional area of the stream in m 2 V = Velocity of water measured using float in m/s Ponding method-seepage loss The Ponding method uses the measurement of the rate of drop in a pool formed in the canal reach being tested and in computing from this the seepage rate of the section. Since observations can be made accurately, the results should be a good indication of the average loss from the reach with the reservation that the still water in the pool may seep out at a different rate than the flowing water in the canal. This may be caused by the sealing effect of suspended material settling in the still water, by the growth of algae or fungus on the wetted perimeter. Ponding test can be done by constant depth or varying depth method. In the constant depth method, water is added to the pond to maintain a constant water surface elevation. The measured volume of added water is considered equal to the total loss and elapsed time establishes the rate of loss. The method used in the present study is varying depth method. The Conveyance loss is computed as

6 1678 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt V2 - V1 CL = (2) WA * t where, CL = Conveyance loss in m 3 /s/mm 2 V 1 = Volume of water in the pond initially in m 3 V 2 = Volume of water in the pond after time interval t in m 3 WA = Average wetted area in Mm 2 t = time interval in seconds. Agricultural Performance Some of the important indicators of an irrigation system s performance are related to the crop production enterprise. The indicators used in evaluating agricultural performance here are principal crops grown and crop productivity. The quantum, duration and reliability of irrigation water often determine the choice of crops grown and their relative share of the total area cultivated. Adequacy and timely availability of water are the most important factors influencing crop productivity as well. This evaluation can be done through informal discussions with the farmers and secondary sources. Financial Performance Financial self-sufficiency tells us what percent of expenditures on O&M is generated locally. If government subsidizes O&M heavily, financial self-sufficiency would be low, whereas if local farmers through their fees pay for most of the O&M expenditures, financial self-sufficiency would be high. Financial self-sufficiency does not tell us the O&M requirement, only the expenditures. A high value of financial self-sufficiency does not automatically indicate a sustainable system, as the O&M expenditures might be too low to meet the actual maintenance needs. The indicator used in evaluating financial performance is financial selfsufficiency. The revenue from irrigation includes all income derived from water fees, water user association's fees, outstanding debt and interest on debt payments but excludes all kind of government subsidies or payments. O&M expenditures include all expenditures to operate and maintain the system. This can be obtained from revenue department and WRO officials. Revenue from irrigation Financial self - sufficiency = (3) Total O & M expenditures

7 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt 1679 Management Performance The management performance of the councils is assessed covering the subtopics of organizational capacity, maintenance of the system, awareness, participation, organizational linkage, conflict management and irrigation management. Evaluation is done using group discussions and rapid appraisal with office bearers and farmers. An interactive schedule for performance improvement is prepared. The questionnaire prepared to the farmers covers apart from general information, information related to their identification, the details regarding the inputs and the production in the current season, their involvement in the various council activities, their views about the irrigation and the agricultural authorities, and their knowledge about the various agricultural aspects. As the total number of farmers in each sluice area is small, the questionnaire is tested with all the farmers. RESULT Operational Performance Operational performance can be evaluated by using many indicators. Some of those, which are feasible to use in this study area, are reliability, performance of sluices and conveyance loss. The parameter taken to evaluate conveyance loss indicator is average seepage loss in the field channel. Table 3 Details of observations for conveyance loss assessment by Ponding method in U8B-24R sluice U8B- 24R sluice Length of the channel = 5m Bed width = 0.3 Sl. No. Time (min) Depth (m) Difference in time (min) Volume (m 3 ) Change in volume (V 1 -V 2 ) (m 3 ) Wetted Area (m 2 ) Average wetted area (m 2 ) Seepage loss (m 3 /s/mm 2)

8 1680 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt Table 4 Details of observations for conveyance loss assessment by Ponding method in M6-3L sluice Sl. No. M6-3L sluice Length of the channel = 16m Bed width = 0.45m Time (min) Depth (m) Difference in time (min) Volume (m 3 ) Change in volume (V 1 -V 2 ) (m 3 ) Wetted Area (m 2 ) Average Wetted Area (m 2 ) Seepage loss (m 3 /s/mm 2 ) Table 5 Details of observations for conveyance loss assessment by Ponding method in L14-6L sluice Sl. No. L 14-6L sluice Length of the channel = 22m Bed width = 0.62m Time (min) Depth (m) Difference in time (min) Volume (m 3 ) Change in volume (V 1 -V 2 ) (m 3 ) Wetted area (m 2 ) Average Wetted Area (m 2 ) Seepage loss (m 3 /s/mm 2)

9 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt 1681 Table 6 Operational Performance in three study sluices Performance Indicator Reliability Performance of sluices Conveyance loss Parameter Opening date of sluices Starting date of agricultural operations Period of water supply Condition Discharge (m 3 /s) 24R (upper reach) days Good L (middle reach) days Better L (tail reach) days Not bad No. of days of operation Average seepage Loss in the field channel (m 3 /s/mm 2 ) Agricultural Performance Agricultural performance can be evaluated by using many indicators. Some of those, which are feasible to use in this study area, are principal crops grown and crop productivity. The parameters identified in the principal crops grown are both season wise details and relative proportion of command area under each crop. Tables 8, 9 and 10 give details of the season wise details and relative proportion of the principal crops grown and crop productivity in three study sluices and their corresponding areas in hectares respectively. Table 7 Principal crops grown- Season wise details Sl. No. Sluice 1 24R (U8B) 2 3L (M6) 3 6L (L14) Reach Head Middle Tail Principal Crops grown Area I Season II Season (ha) Groundnut Tapiaco Sunflower Tapiaco

10 1682 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt Table 8 Principal crops grown - Relative proportion of command area under each crop Sl. No. Sluice 1 24 R (U8B) 2 3L (M6) 3 6L (L14) Total area (ha) Crops Area (ha) Relative proportion of command area under each crop (%) Groundnut Tapioca Sunflower Tapiaco Table 9 Crop Productivity Sl. No. Reach Sluice 1 Head 24R 2 Middle 3L 3 Lower 6L Principal Crops Yield I Season II Season (kg/ha) ,23, Groundnut Tapiaco 24, ,800 Sunflower Tapiaco ,48, ,700 Diagrammatic representation of the principal crops grown and their relative proportion of the command area under each crop in 24R, 3L and 6L are given in Figures 2, 3 and 4 respectively, and corresponding crop productivity in Figures 5, 6, 7.

11 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt R - U8B Groundnut Figure 2 Principal crops and their percentage in 24R U8B 3L-M6 Tapiaco Figure 3 Principal crops and their percentage in 3L M6 6L-L14 Sunflower Tapiaco Figure 4 Principal crops and their percentage in 6L L14

12 1684 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt 24R-U8B Groundnut Figure 5 Crop Productivity and their percentage in 24R U8B 3L-M6 Tapiaco Figure 6 Crop Productivity and their percentage in 3L M6 6L-L14 Sunflower Tapiaco Figure 7 Crop Productivity and their percentage in 6L L14

13 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt 1685 Financial Performance Financial performance can be evaluated by finding financial self sufficiency. The revenue from irrigation includes all income derived from water fees, water user association s fees, outstanding debt and interest on debt payments but excludes all kind of government subsidies or payments. O&M expenditures include all expenditures to operate and maintain the system. Table 10 shows the financial self sufficiency of the three councils. Figure 8 shows the diagrammatic representation of FSS. Sl. No. Council Table 10 Financial self sufficiency Revenue from Irrigation (Rs.) Total O&M Expenditures (Rs.) Financial Self sufficiency (FSS) Remarks 1 U8B 3,40,750 99, Income generated is more than the expenditure 2 M6 9,73,512 80, do- 3 L14 3,40,517 67, do- F i n a n c i a l S e l f S u f f i c i e n c y U 8 B M 6 L 1 4 Figure 8 Financial Self Sufficiency in study councils

14 1686 Thirteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC , Hurghada, Egypt Management Performance The results from the assessment show that the awareness level on the existence of FC and its activities diminishes as the distance increases from the head reach. In the tail reach, all categories of farmers are not exposed to the information on FC s existence and its functioning. Organizational capacity is good in upper and middle reaches when compared to tail reach. Maintenance of the structures is too bad in tail reach. Organizational linkage is too good in all the three councils. Irrigation management, conflict management and awareness level about FC diminish as the distance increases from the head reach. CONCLUSIONS The following conclusions have been arrived after undertaking the study: (1) Regarding the operational performance, the discharge is more in the tail reach sluice when compared to the other two sluices. As usual, the average seepage loss in the field channel is more in the head reach when compared to the other reaches. Operational performance is good in tail reach than the other two reaches. (2) Regarding the agricultural performance, paddy is the major principal crop grown in the first season in all the three reaches. is grown relatively more area in head reach., gingelly and groundnut are the other principal crops that are grown in the head reach sluice command area. When productivity is concerned, head reach takes the first place. Tapioca, gingelly and sugarcane are the other principal crops grown in the middle reach command areas. Sunflower is the other principal crop that is grown in the tail reach command areas along with the above-mentioned crops. The agricultural performance is good in head reach than the middle and tail reaches. (3) Evaluation of financial performance in three sluices states that the income generated is more than the operation and maintenance expenditures in the middle reach than the other two reaches. Financial performance is good in middle reach than the other two reaches. (4) Evaluation of management performance shows that the organizational linkage is very strong between all the councils. Awareness campaign on FC and its O&M activities needs to be organized through the length and breadth of the Project command, especially in the middle and tail reach areas. Management performance is good in both head and middle reach than the tail reach. BIBLIOGRAPHY Arumugam, N. and Mohan, S. (1997) Sustainable Development and Management of Tank Irrigation System in South India, A report of Water International, International Water Resources Association, Vol. 22, No. 2.

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