1. Canal Modernization
Case Studies

2. Affordable Canal Modernization I
Big Picture
What is Possible?
Potential Capabilities
Adaptive Flexibility
Small Picture
Where to Start?
Initial Needs
Simplicity

3. Affordable Canal Modernization II
What is Affordable?
Equipment Acquisition Costs
Installation & System Setup Costs
Reliability Considerations
Troubleshooting & Maintenance Costs
Potential Cost of Malfunctions

4. Affordable Canal Modernization III
What is the expected payback?
Increased Staff Productivity
Decreased Operating Costs
Increased Value of Water Supplies
Improved Delivery Efficiency

5. Pioneer Irrigation District
PID Diversion Structure on N Fork of Republican River

6. Pioneer Irrigation District
Specific District Objective:
Measure flow  Delivery equity
Project Scope:
Assist District in Establishing Flow Measurement Capability at Turnouts
Verify Flow Measurement Accuracy
Provide Canal Operations Technical Support

7. Pioneer Irrigation District
Issues:
Limited Head Availability Sites
Limited Physical Space
“Radical” Shift in Institutional Mode of Operations

8. Pioneer Irrigation District
Pre-existing
Measurement

9. Pioneer Irrigation District
Example Turnouts

10. Pioneer Irrigation District
Trial & Error Measurement Efforts

11. Pioneer Irrigation District
Practical Measurement Solutions for Space-Limited Sites
“Yakima Box”
Submerged Orifice

12. Pioneer Irrigation District
Low-Head Measurement Alternatives
Elbow Meter
Constructed Venturi

13. Pioneer Irrigation District
Project Outcome
Improved delivery equity
Increased awareness of irrigation
efficiencies
Able to comply with subsequent
Republican River Basin regulations

14. Bostwick Irrigation District

15. Bostwick Irrigation District
Outlet Works to
Bostwick Canal
Harlan County Dam
Spillway

16. Bostwick Irrigation District
Harlan County Dam Gage

17. Bostwick Irrigation District
Lateral Head &
“CHO” Check
“Standard” Check

18. Bostwick Irrigation District
Initial Integration of Electronic Technology in Canal Operation
Have Identified General “Wants”
Thinking “BIG” from the Outset
Have Expressed a Limited Sense of
Possibilities, and of Limitations

19. South Platte Ditch Co. 2005 Pilot Demonstration Main Flume
Sandhill Pond
Weir
G2 Flume

20. South Platte Ditch Co. Colorado Water Conservation Board Grant
Developed Partnership w/Neighboring Districts
Expanded Scope to Include Wells, Gate Control
District Commitment to Rebuild Flume

21. South Platte Ditch Co. 2008 Status Seven open channel monitoring sites
Four well monitoring sites
May ’08 Field Day
One-Third Grant Completion

22. Twin Loups Irrigation District
TLID Office
Calamus
Lake
Kent Diversion
Dam
Davis Creek
Reservoir
Delivery System
Termini

23. Twin Loups Irrigation District
TLID Office
Repeater
6.1 Lateral
Main Canal
Checks
Calamus
Reservoir
Outlet

24. Twin Loups Irrigation District
Specific District Objectives:
Functional automation of open canal reach that feeds piped lateral, with integrated phone/radio alarms
Remote monitoring/adjustment of reservoir release & upper reach canal checks

25. Twin Loups Irrigation District
6.1 Lateral

26. Twin Loups
Calamus Reservoir Outlet & 9.5 Check

27. Twin Loups Irrigation District
Current project scope targeted to key “problem” issues
High likelihood of future expansion
Numerous potential unique applications

28. Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District
Study Tour Visit:
Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District
Remote operation of main canal checks
System developed “in-house” by staff
Targeted adjustments to passing flow
Fine adjustments based on pool elevation feedback

29. Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District
“Gate-stroking” adjustments to pass target flow rates

30. Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District
Remote operating benefits
Dramatic reduction in staff/equipment resources devoted to main canal adjustments
Improved ability to react to demand changes; operational issues
Negligible spillage loss

31. Key factor in modernization success: Proponents in “Key” positions
Dan Korf
Pioneer ID
Mike Wells
Twin Loups ID
Clinton Powell
USBR NKAO
Charlie Bartlett
South Platte
Ditch Co
Gary Sloan
MSIDD

32. Automated Surface Irrigation, IID
Motorized
Port Gate
Check Gate

33. All American Canal Dave Rogers Flume

34. The Fence

35. All American Canal Dave Rogers Flume