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[Objective] Available water for irrigation in Hetao irrigation district has been reduced consistently over the past decades. Improving its water management to alleviate soil salinity is critical to sustaining crop production in this region. The purpose of this paper is to seek optimal water-saving irrigation schemes for this region by using process-based models. [Method] The semi-distributed hydrological model (SahysMod) is used in our study. We consider spatial variability of numerous factors in the modelling, which include meteorology, hydrogeology, soil, irrigation and crops. The model is then combined with GIS to simulate the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil water and salt under different scenarios. Data measured from 2007 to 2012 and 2013-2016 were used to calibrate and verify the model, respectively. [Result] ①In a business as usual scenario, the annual drainage decreases first before gradually stabilizing, with the average annual drainage being 531 million m³; salinized lands in the middle and upper reaches of the irrigation district decrease slightly, but increase significantly in the lower reach. ②Considering water-saving in the whole irrigation district and ecological demand for water in the downstream and the Wuliangsuhai lake, the total water diversion from the canal head should be reduced by 15% from the current level. This will save up to 646 million m³ of water. ③If the current irrigation amount remains unchanged, the water utilization coefficient of the canal can be improved 17.6% at the best. ④If the reduction in total water diversion from Yellow River is the same, reducing irrigation amount in the field is the best way to boost salt leaching. In this scenario, reducing irrigation amount should be the priority, followed by improving water utilization coefficient of the canal. [Conclusion] In addition to saving water, considering ecological demand of the downstream for water is also important in optimizing water management in Hetao Irrigation District. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water shortage and soil salinization are the main issues threatening the sustainable development of agriculture and ecology in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID). The application of water-saving practices is required for sustainable agricultural development. However, further study is required to assess the effects of these practices on water and salt dynamics in the long term. In this study, the impacts of different water-saving practices on water and salt dynamics were investigated in the HID, Northwest China. The SAHYSMOD (integrated spatial agro-hydro-salinity model) was used to analyze the water and salt dynamics for different water-saving irrigation scenarios. The results indicate that the SAHYSMOD model shows a good performance after successful calibration (2007–2012) and validation (2013–2016). The soil salinity of cultivated land in the middle and upper reaches of the irrigation district decreased slightly, while that in the lower reaches increased significantly over the next 10 years under current irrigation and drainage conditions. It is predicted that if the amount of water diverted is reduced by up to 15%, the maximum water-saving volume could reach 650 million m3 yr–1. For the fixed reduction rate of total water diversion, the prioritized measure should be given to reduce the amount of field irrigation quota, and then to improve the water efficiency of the canal system. Although a certain amount of water can be saved through various measures, the effect of water saving in the irrigation district should be analyzed comprehensively, and the optimal water management scheme should be determined by considering the ecological water requirement in the HID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We establish a scheduling plan of canals and gates. • Combining canal hydrodynamic model with the scheduling model. • The model utilized the factor of water level rise in backwater area. • The model considers two cases of supply-decided and demand-decided. A complete water distribution scheme should include the scheduling of the check gates and turn out gates. This study aims to resolve the water distribution problem in irrigation districts based on channel hydrodynamic simulation and using the hydraulic factor of water level increase in backwater areas. The supply-decided water distribution and scheduling model(SD-WDSM), the demand-decided water distribution and scheduling model(dd -WDSM) were established respectively. The model was applied to the Bojili irrigation district to verify it's applicability. The results show that the SD-WDSM can adjust the length of the backwater area through the operation of the check gate, ensuring a large flow rate at the turn out gate. The dd -WDSM was established to group the water diversion canals by rotation irrigation, and the turn out gate in the same group could open and close simultaneously, which is convenient for the administrator to operate. The two models also ensure that the water is diverted as early as possible, and the operation numbers of the check gates and the turn out gates are less. The model obtains the complete scheduling scheme of the check gates and the turn out gates in the water distribution system. This model can improve agricultural water use efficiency and promote sustainable agricultural development. The proposed model is universal and can be applied to other irrigation districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We establish three models based on water supply. • The model considers whether the water supply meets the demand. • The flow rate of primary canal is closer to the actual flow rate. • Ensure fairness as much as possible when water is insufficient. The optimization of canal water distribution is vital in irrigation areas because a reasonable distribution is required to improve the water distribution efficiency and maximize the benefits of water resources. In this paper, under the condition that the total volume and flow rate of water supply in the primary canal have been determined, the water supply is compared with crop water demand, and three optimal models of canal water distribution are established. In situation 1, the total volume of water supply is sufficient to meet the crop water demand during the growing period. In situation 2, the water supply is insufficient to meet crop water demand during their growth period; however, this problem is resolved by extending the water supply period. In situation 3, the water supply cannot meet the crop water demands during the growth period, even after adjusting the water supply period. Because the proposed water distribution optimization model is based on water supply conditions in irrigation areas, the irrigation area managers can easily develop their operation water distribution schemes. The model was validated using the Bojili irrigation area. Results showed that the model's calculated variation trend of the main-canal flow rate was similar to the actual flow rate, and irrigation area managers could meet the model requirements with a small adjustment in the actual flow rate. The model also considered canal leakage loss, timely water distribution, water distribution fairness, and other goals, potentially improving agricultural water efficiency and water distribution satisfaction as well as promoting sustainable agricultural development. The model presented here is universal and can be used in other irrigation areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]